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FEBRUARY 2022
ST PIERRE’S RELOCATES TO LARGER PREMISES IN THREE LAMPS OFFERING BENTO BOWL MEALS & THE K10 SUSHI TRAIN - P54
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Specialist Obstetricians. Auckland Obstetric Centre is a unique practice in Parnell made up of six leading specialist obstetricians and support staff. Together we have many years of experience and feel privileged to be able to share in the care of women during their pregnancy. To find out more about how we can care for you and your baby call our team or visit our website.
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POTTERING AROUND THE GREENHOUSE Up the top of Williamson Ave, The Greenhouse is springing to life. Ockham Residential’s Mark Todd says the building is a bold distillation of a new Aotearoa aesthetic – and a splendid option for ‘downsizers’ yearning for a less complicated, more connected lifestyle. The Greenhouse is close to the best bits of Ponsonby Road – by which, we mean, all of it.
‘experienced’ cohort – empty-nesters, downsizers, and folk scaling back their work commitments.
A one- or two-bedroom apartment at Ockham’s flagship building places you amidst the energy and verve of this iconic neighbourhood.
Start new traditions – or keep the old ones
“It’s ideal for anyone who wants an uncomplicated, streamlined life, but who still hankers to be close to the action,” says Ockham chief, Mark Todd. “People who don’t want the hassle of maintaining a house and section but want a backyard the size of Ponsonby. The nascent Greenhouse community includes professionals and a number of avowed urbanists, along with a more
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“People around here like to be in the thick of things,” Ponsonby resident Todd continues. “They’re connected, they know the city; they want to live close to where they work and play and forge new memories in the city’s best restaurants and cafes.” Certainly, every local has their own Ponsonby routine. It might be a stroll through Western Park, then a flat white at Orphans Kitchen. Or a weekend brunch at Dizengoff, followed by an afternoon poking around Objectspace, Black Asterisks and {Suite} Gallery, then browsing Scotties Boutique to see
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
what’s new on the racks. In summer, it’s a Maple Honeycomb Smoked Almond double scoop from Duck Island, and a window shop at Juliette Hogan and Zambesi. It's taking the family to Prego for a proper sit-down Sunday lunch. It might be a dram at The Whiskey or a gin at The Cork that morphs into a meal at Ponsonby International Foodcourt, where you always see someone you know.
with a touch of art deco – is a stand-out, a landmark that will instantly be at home here. As will you.
And, once in a while, it’s a splash-out dinner at SPQR or Sidart or The Blue Breeze Inn. This is the urban living as good as you get anywhere. The best of the best
And so there’s even a residents’ dining room for hosting lowkey soirees, dinner parties and earnest book clubs. With details like American Crown Cut Walnut panelling, aged brass finishes, and smoked mirrors, guests will surely be impressed.
An Ockham building in this part of town was always going to be beautiful, and The Greenhouse is a work of art. Light will glance off its iridescent, glazed green bricks – handpicked from a small town in Italy. Its refined Aotearoa aesthetic –
“High-quality apartment living offers you the best of all worlds,” Todd says. “You have the bustle and buzz of Auckland’s most desirable neighbourhood right here on your doorstep. And Grey Lynn-Ponsonby is a fabulous community. But you also have your own haven when you need time for quiet contemplation and Netflix.”
“It’s not just about being in Ponsonby,” Todd continues. “It’s about being in the best apartment building in Ponsonby.”
The apartments at The Greenhouse are tranquil, sophisticated spaces, the result of years of Ockham’s accumulated thinking,” says Todd. “They’re spaces to retreat to, but then again, you’ll want to invite your friends over as well.”
COFFEE, CHOIRS, COMMUNITY: SOCIALISING IN THE CENTRAL CITY Sue Garner moved into The Isaac, Ockham’s fourth development on Surrey Crescent when it opened in 2014. The ebullient grandmother (and mum of broadcaster, Duncan) has embraced her ‘gorgeous’ new lifestyle with gusto. I’m a Wellington girl, but my husband and I moved up to Auckland in 1974 with our two-year-old and six-month-old twins. In 2004, we moved back to the capital. I returned to Tāmaki Makaurau in 2014, a few years after my husband passed away: I have a son in Mt Albert and other family in Kingsland and wanted to be able to pop in and see my grandchildren. I initially started looking for places on the North Shore as that’s where we raised our children, but in the end, I didn’t want to battle with the traffic. After looking around, I decided that The Isaac was a good place for me. I’d lived in a huge home in Khandallah and did wonder about living in an apartment. But I’m lucky, I’ve got three bedrooms here, so it’s like a little house and my family love that it’s so secure — nobody can get onto my floor without a zipper-zapper. I never knew Grey Lynn because when we were bringing up our children, it was an old place with these old buildings that were all falling down. But I couldn’t love living here more. My favourite café is Big Sur — it’s absolutely divine and the people are so friendly and welcoming. The food is delicious and, believe me, the coffee is even better! You can go to Westmere as well; the Seabreeze café is fabulous. Of course, you can also go up and down a few hills and find yourself on Jervois Road. I love the proximity to the gorgeous Ponsonby area, the restaurants and the beautiful shops. The city is close too, but
I don’t even go near there to be honest because everything is here — medical amenities, parks and beaches. Pt Chev beach is just lovely. It’s also a very social area. Out and about, there’s always someone you can have a chat to. Up until Covid, I was very involved with a choir that met at the Grey Lynn Community Centre too. It was started by a woman who taught music at the University of Auckland, and it was just a joy to be part of.
The Greenhouse is a once-in-a-lifetime project for Ockham Residential. We’d love to tell you more about it – please contact Joss on 021 245 5155 or joss@ockham.co.nz. Or if you want the ultimate Greenhouse evangelistic experience, drop Mark a line: mark@ockham.co.nz. 20 WILLIAMSON AVENUE
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INSIDE THIS MONTH
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LETTERS & EMAILS
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FROM THE EDITOR
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DAVID HARTNELL: ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW
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PIPPA COOM: COUNCILLOR FOR WAITEMATĀ & GULF
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MEET CANNAPLUS+
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JOHN ELLIOTT: THE BIG ISSUES
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CHLÖE SWARBRICK: MP AUCKLAND CENTRAL
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PREDICT WEATHER.COM
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PONSONBY PARK
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HELENE RAVLICH: KEEPING FIT & WELL IN 2022
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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY
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COVER STORY: ST PIERRE'S RELOCATES
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FUTURE GENERATION
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PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS
WESTERN SPRINGS SAGA CONTINUES Community Ecologist inspecting a felled truck cut ready to allow access for the Loop Track in the sensitive overland water course - P31
Editor/Publisher: MARTIN LEACH M: 021 771 147 martinleach@xtra.co.nz or martin@ponsonbynews.co.nz Distribution Manager: JAY PLATT M: 021 771 146 jayplatt@xtra.co.nz or jay@ponsonbynews.co.nz Ad Sales & Contributing editor: ANDREA KAHUKIWA M: 021 689 688 andrea@ponsonbynews.co.nz
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HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS
Advertising Sales: JO BARRETT M: 021 324 510 joannebarrett@xtra.co.nz
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ARTS & CULTURE
Advertising Sales/Ad Designer: MELISSA PAYNTER M: 027 938 4111 melissapaynter@me.com
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HOROSCOPES: MISS PEARL NECLIS
Operations Manager: GWYNNE DAVENPORT M: 021 150 4095 gwynne@ponsonbynews.co.nz
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SUMMER STREAMING GUIDE 2022
Contributing Music Editor: Finn McLennan-Elliott M: 021 134 4101 finn.huia@gmail.com
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THE PONSONBY PINK PAGES
Contributing Editor: JOHN ELLIOTT M: 021 879 054 johnelliott38@outlook.com
Cover Photography: Connor Crawford
PONSONBY NEWS is published monthly, excluding January by: ALCHEMY MEDIA LIMITED, P.O. BOX 47-282 Ponsonby, Auckland 1144, T: 09 378 8553, www.ponsonbynews.co.nz
PONSONBY NEWS is printed on paper sourced from sustainable, well managed forests and manufactured under the environmental management system ISO 14001.
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Graphic Designer: ARNA MARTIN M: 021 354 984 arna@cocodesign.co.nz Annual Subscriptions: Within New Zealand $49. By cheque or credit card in NZ$. Please note: we do not hold back issues of Ponsonby News. Our archive is all online as pdfs. Please 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. PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
LOVING, LIVING & SELLING GREATER PONSONBY
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BAYLEYS REAL ESTATE LIMITED, PONSONBY, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008
A LT O G E T H E R B E T T E R
R e s i d e n t i a l / C o m m e r c i a l / R u r a l / P r o p e r ty S e r v i c e s
LETTERS & EMAILS
GEORGE PRATT'S MILITARY RECORDS
His wife Ann's address was 'care of Mrs Corcoran of 46 Anglesey Street, Ponsonby. I am researching the history of the men who died in World War 1 and are buried in a cemetery called Willow Grove which is located in Stockport, near Manchester, England. One such man was called George Pratt. He died on 23 March 1917 leaving a wife called Ann Pratt and a daughter called Annie. The curious thing is, both Ann and Annie sailed from Southampton on 8 March 1923 bound for Wellington on RMS Tainui. Within George Pratt's military records is a card stating Ann's address as 'care of Mrs Corcoran of 46 Anglesey Street, Ponsonby. I am curious to see if anyone amongst your readership has any connection with either Ann, Annie or Mrs Corcoran. It would be interesting to find out why they emigrated and what became of them. Ann Pratt was about 41 years old when she left England and her daughter Annie was 15. They are recorded as travelling alone which suggests they were travelling to meet a contact, presumably the one in Ponsonby. George was a bookkeeper before he joined the army in June 1916 and I assume he had a good income. Their home in Stockport was comparatively modest and I have not found any apparent connection with Ponsonby within her family or that of George. George was buried in a solitary grave in Willow Grove and unfortunately the passage of 100 years has seen it considerably damaged. The inscription on the grave is dedicated to 'George Pratt who was a dearly loved husband of Ann Pratt'. However the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has erected a special headstone in his memory. It would be interesting to discover any remaining family connection with Ponsonby. I hope you are able to help with this interesting story? Ray Withnall, ray.withnall@btinternet.com A LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER, JACINDA ARDERN FROM A LOCAL RESIDENT'S 94-YEAR-OLD MOTHER
Prime Minister Ardern – Yes, we all want the same thing, honesty and truthfulness. But some people are bribed with promises of money and monuments (ugly ones at that), when the majority of the community are against it. I am from Whanganui (a Labour seat for many years) and remember very well, the Prime Minister, Michael Joseph Savage, who was the most loved, admired and respected Prime Minister New Zealand has ever had. He was humble and honest and was loved very much by so many people. When he passed away the whole of the country turned out to pay respect to his coffin as it passed through New Zealand. He never tried to change our flag or put ugly monuments in places to just make a friend happy and give him honour and glory. Our ‘Protect’ was not a protest and it definitely was not angry. We wanted to protect a 200-year-old pohutukawa and keep the park beautiful for all people now and future generations. I am surprised that you are still allowing such an ugly piece of concrete and steel to be built in Dove Myer Robinson Park when there are other more suitable places. How can you continue with this when there is so much anger in the air? I do hope you will re-think this ‘vanity project for a few’ and make an unselfish decision – one which will leave this beautiful natural park for people to congregate and picnic in and enjoy the tree and the view just as they currently are.
OPEN LETTER TO THE GOVERNMENT - PARK POACHING
The government is once more taking over land against the wishes of the people. Might is not Right! I have lived in Parnell for over 40 years and over this period have experienced many joyful times in Dove Myer Robinson Park. New Year’s Day has always seen large picnics in the area now barricaded off by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage for its plans to erect a monstrous memorial and associated bulldozing which is completely out of keeping with this historic park, named after Mayor Robbie, who was a visionary. There are in-keeping, small-scale memorials for allies in World War II and other wars, but there is no memorial for the two children who died in a slip, and no memorial for the patients who died here from the Spanish Flu at Logan Campbell’s former mansion, after World War 1. Instead, the Ministry pushes ahead with a memorial that most Erebus families don’t want here. A concrete monstrosity that would cut into the roots, and prevent future growth of Auckland’s greatest walking Pohutukawa, Te Hā. The proposed structure is 26 metres long, eight metres high in concrete and steel with an Antarctic soundtrack and lights. What relationship does this have to this historic place? None! What is the cost of poaching our park? Ripping up our green sanctuary? At this moment, apart from the unsuitability of a humungous memorial, where can we join together on New Year’s Day – the waifs and strays, the lonely and disabled? And moreover, on every other day of the year? Why are the politicians not listening? Why have they given away the park that the people of Auckland bought to be the lungs of our city? Help us save this park! Visit www.Change.org/Mataharehare to sign the petition. Gloria Jenkins, Parnell ANOTHER MANIPULATED AUCKLAND COUNCIL PROCESS
What a joy to watch the generosity of the good people of Waitematā come together to acknowledge community advocate Gael Baldock recently. Despite meeting the criteria and eight nominations, Gael was overlooked by the Waitematā Local Board when selecting the recipients of their “Good Citizens Awards”. This deliberate blocking of community spirit and strong community contribution by the local board was a disgrace, yet sadly no surprise. Their churlish manipulation of the awards undermines the recipients and casts doubt, yet again, on the integrity of an Auckland Council process. Hats off to residents of Herne Bay, Ponsonby, Grey Lynn and surrounds (and Martin of Ponsonby News) who came together to thank Gael and present her with a new iPad so she can continue her good work on behalf of our community. Sarah Trotman, ONZM Advocate for the Communities and Residents of Waitematā Opinions expressed in Ponsonby News are not always the opinion of Alchemy Media Limited & Ponsonby News.
Sincerely Betty Penman
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
FROM THE EDITOR
We know it’s February but Hari Tau Hou - Happy New Year to everyone. We hope you’ve all managed to take a decent break. It’s been a very testing few years with Covid-19 and we pray things will get better one day. Most people I know have had their boosters to help keep everyone safe. This month Ponsonby’s new medicinal cannabis clinic - CannaPlus+ is opening and breaking barriers to improve our quality of life. This new business is New Zealand's first internationally affiliated medicinal cannabis clinic network and telemedicine platform dedicated to improving both health and lifestyle. The CannaPlus+ clinic is conveniently located in the heart of Ponsonby, opposite Bambina. I can’t tell you how disappointed we were that Gael Baldock did not get a Good Citizens Award. This local advocate does a huge amount of unpaid work on behalf of our community. Despite meeting the criteria and with eight nominations, Gael was overlooked by the Waitematā Local Board when selecting the recipients of their Good Citizens Awards. I agree with Sarah Trotman’s sentiments in her letter opposite.
Jay Platt & Martin Leach
We have been banging on about the dangers of glyphosate for several years, but nothing seems to change. Recently my colleague John Elliott told me how incensed he was to find the berm outside his house had been sprayed, despite being on the no-spray council list, or is supposed to be. We have been told repeatedly assured by Council, including Councillor Pippa Coom, that glyphosate is being “phased down”. We'll believe it when we see it!
We love our local community gardens. For the fourth year in a row Grey Lynn’s Kelmarna Gardens is inviting Aucklanders to join them for an outdoor restaurant experience, enjoying food from the farm - on the farm. The team are working with Auckland restaurants for a unique farm-to-table experience at their urban community farm.
Last month we walked through the Western Springs Forest (the tracks are good) to see how the newly planted natives are faring. Most are still alive, but very dry. It will be way beyond our lifetimes before any real restoration of a native forest actually occurs. It’s a shame, but relitigation of the pine removals was pointless; however we have to move on. But what an error of judgement was made by our local board.
John Elliott and I have been talking about housing and young people who are trying desperately to get onto the property ladder. Many can’t afford the deposit and are desperate. We like the quirky possibility for empty nesters living in large houses with spare bedrooms who could take in young people as both companions and boarders. This is the premise of the British programme now on TV, 'Lodgers for Codgers'.
Keeping fit and healthy, both physically and mentally is paramount says Helene Ravlich, especially as we head further into 2022 as the pandemic continues to rage on and life remains in a constant state of upheaval. It’s easy to say that the best way to counteract the feeling of uncertainty is to just roll with the punches. But that is most definitely easier said than done.
A lot of learning can take place both with the young and the old. Any innovative ideas are worth trying.
This month’s cover story is all about the KT10 Sushi Train, located at the PN rear of St Pierre's in Three Lamps. Check it out. (MARTIN LEACH)
ONE STEP AHEAD CLOSES THEIR STORE IN PONSONBY... Last year local businessman Gary Ashton made the hard decision to close his business - One Step Ahead. As he told Ponsonby News, "I would just like to thank all of our customers for their business over the years and that it was not an easy decision to close, but after Covid lockdowns, signing a new lease was just not feasible for us. "My longtime colleague Bruce has now retired and he is working on jobs around his home. I have closed down the shoe repair side of the business, but have moved Photoprints printing and framing to work from home as an online business." Please check out the www.photoprints.co.nz website and their contact email is as follows: info@photoprints.co.nz
We are a boutique printer, proud of the quality of our products and the service we give to all our customers. - Top-quality prints - Fine art papers - Handmade frames - Friendly, expert help @photoprintsnz
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PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
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OUR CONTRIBUTORS
IT’S A TEAM EFFORT... WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT OUR CONTRIBUTORS CONNOR CRAWFORD I am a working artist and photographer with a colourful and rhythmic perspective. I enjoy shooting the front covers of Ponsonby News.
DAVID HARTNELL - MNZM For the last 53 years I’ve been a freelance entertainment journalist and author. I’ve lived in the Grey Lynn area for nearly three decades; I have met and interviewed some amazing people.
FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT I work as a booker, promoter and festival programmer. Active in all areas of the music community; folk music is my specialty.
HONOUR MITCHELL I have lived in the Ponsonby area all of my life. I write the column ‘Teen Picks’ which explores everything on offer in the greater Ponsonby area.
HELENE RAVLICH A freelance writer and copywriter for almost 20 years, I have written for publications all over the world and couldn’t imagine myself in any other job.
JOHN APPLETON I have a keen interest in nutritional medicine and how it may be used to support people with chronic illnesses.
KEN RING My yearly NZ Weather Almanacs began in 1999. During the tragic 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, my work created international interest. I currently live in Ponsonby.
KERRY LEE I’ve been a freelance writer for a year now, and what I love most are the wonderful people I’ve meet along the way. #best job.
LUCY KENNEDY I am a young local writer who loves to read! Each month you will find my reviews of new books for people who love to read as much as I do.
PHIL PARKER Journalist and published author, I have had a career involving both wine writing and hosting boutique wine tours in the Auckland region.
PIPPA COOM
I am Councillor for Waitemat-a and Gulf Ward on Auckland Council. Formerly, Chair Waitemat-a Local Board.
ROSS THORBY I have had a wanderlust for travel ever since I was old enough to own a passport. Since I discovered cruising, I have become unstoppable.
JOHN ELLIOTT
SOFIA ROGER WILLIAMS
I am the founder of Ponsonby News and write for the magazine. My career has included politics, education and publishing. My interests include the environment, the economy and social justice.
A vegan for over a year and vegetarian for over seven years with a passion for writing. I am a local student reviewing some of Ponsonby’s best vegan eats.
Join us on Sundays at 2pm... for our weekly service including demonstrations of clairvoyance.
25 New North Road, Eden Terrace / www.goldenlight.org.nz
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LOCAL NEWS
DAVID HARTNELL:
ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW WITH EDITH FUMAROLA
The Covert Theatre manager based in Mackelvie Street How did the Covert Theatre come about?
The Covert Theatre was founded in 2001 by Wade Jackson to enhance human connection through play. The theatre has had many incarnations throughout the years and in 2020 it found its new home at 51 Mackelvie Street, Ponsonby. When did you become interested in theatre?
From birth, the moment I opened my eyes I knew I craved drama. Did you come from a theatre background?
Yes, I studied it and I cannot remember a time that I have not been involved with the arts in some form. What is your favourite stage show?
War Horse - a moving story, great puppetry; what is not to like? What do you like the most about Ponsonby?
It is buzzing and I hear it has a great improv theatre. How have you survived the pandemic?
It has changed my life. It forced me to do a lot of introspection, and oh the things I have seen. What was your childhood like?
Ok, I guess. I was born and raised in South Africa - not that much to report here - pretty standard stuff. I do miss my pet elephant Timmy sometimes.
pain of a consciousness trapped in a realm it cannot fully comprehend, knowing that everything we hold dear is just an illusion heading towards inevitable decay, always questioning if life is indeed devoid of meaning. Is that too dark?
I will die happy if...
I learn that magic really exists.
What gizmo can you simply not live without?
My toothbrush. What is the most Kiwi thing about you?
I sometimes say sweet-as, but not very often.
Your greatest weakness/indulgence?
My heart. Aisle or window seat on a plane?
Window, but I think if you are travelling with someone, it's important to take turns.
Are you a handshake or a hug kind of person?
How do you see yourself in 10 years?
What is your comfort food?
In Capri, swimming in those waters or studying to become a neuroscientist.
Fries.
A hug kind.
Travel light or heavy? What job would you do other than your own?
Light.
I would like to be a neuroscientist; the human mind/brain fascinates me. I think I may have missed the boat on that one but maybe when I am 50, I will take on that adventure.
What is your favourite movie?
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My nose. Do you read movie or TV reviews?
Yes, because there is so much choice these days. I want to know what is worth my time. I must admit the worse the review is, the more eager I am to watch it. How would you like to be remembered?
“Oh man, she was a great neuroscientist, and she really loved the waters of Capri in Italy.” Something that you really disapprove of?
I have two. Big Fish and Disney’s the Kid. Between these two movies you will learn all you need to know about life. If you change one law or policy in New Zealand, what would it be?
I would create 'Musical Mondays'. It would be the law that everyone has to sing everything they wish to communicate on Mondays. I know what is important. Which TV series would you never miss and why?
I have not really invested in a TV series lately; there are just too many to choose from - maybe South Park. Where would your dream holiday internationally be?
Loud music in residential areas.
As I say, I love Capri, Italy. I just want to swim endlessly in those beautiful clear waters.
What are your biggest disappointments?
(DAVID HARTNELL, MNZM) PN
The torment that comes from an ongoing existential crisis, the
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www.coverttheatre.com
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
Imagine an easy ride through Pt Chevalier, climbing to Westmere, cruising into Grey Lynn, all on cycleways separated from traffic. Then, after a brief coffee stop, joining another cycleway along Great North Road to ride safely into the city centre. Auckland’s inner-west is getting new cycleways. This month, Auckland Transport is excited to share updated designs for 5.6km of connected cycleways along Garnet Road, Old Mill Road, Surrey Crescent, and Richmond Road.
LOCAL NEWS
GREY LYNN AND WESTMERE IMPROVEMENTS
Grey Lynn and Westmere improvements
Creating attractive, safe, and accessible streets for everyone.
Over the course of its development, community feedback has improved this project, with changes that enhance access and safety. This is a last opportunity to give feedback before construction gets underway in mid-2022. Taking a whole-of-street approach, the project will deliver new cycleways, pedestrian crossings, bus stops, and raised speed tables across side streets. The Safe School Speeds trial around Grey Lynn School will be incorporated, improving what was temporary and making it permanent. Most sections of cycleway will be on-road, with a raised concrete kerb to separate bikes and cars. Within areas with lots of people movement, such as schools and village centres, the cycleway will be level with the footpath, but clearly marked as a space for bikes. What about the ‘P’ word? Some on-street parking will go, but the new street designs better balance everyone’s needs, making it safer and easier to move around the neighbourhood, however people choose to travel. Everyone should feel safe on our roads. As Auckland grows, we’re making it easier for people to walk and cycle, whether to places of work and education, or just to pop down to the local shops. The cycleways and street improvements are nearly ready to be built. View the updated designs and give your feedback at www.AT.govt.nz/haveyoursay by Sunday 27 February 2022.
Route 1 – Garnet Road, Old Mill Road, Surrey Crescent Route 2 – Richmond Road, Surrey Crescent This year, Auckland Transport will deliver walking, cycling, and bus improvements along two routes within Grey Lynn and Westmere. These changes will make it safer and easier to move around the area, however people choose to travel. View the updated designs and give your feedback by Sunday 27 February 2022. AT.govt.nz/HaveYourSay
Scan the QR code to access an interactive map of the routes.
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email melissa.bowman@apartmento.co.nz web apartmento.co.nz 8 Ponsonby Road, Auckland
NEW
Monty Sofa Our new modular sofa, made in New Zealand. Available in a wide range of configurations and fabrics.
LOCAL NEWS
Pippa Coom with Chlöe Swarbrick at the CRL tunnel breakthrough
PIPPA COOM:
HOW COUNCIL’S FINANCES SHAPE UP FOR THE YEAR AHEAD What shape are Council finances in as we start the new year and deal with the ongoing impact of the pandemic? As 2022 is local government election year it is a question that will be increasingly in the spotlight. In the two years I have been a councillor I have found that the vast majority of councillors, regardless of political allegiances, are genuinely committed to working together with the Mayor to tackle the challenges faced by Auckland and to make decisions in the best interests of Aucklanders.
manage flood events. The Water Quality Targeted Rate helps pay for this.
One of our key challenge is that for decades, infrastructure growth did not keep up with population growth. In the most recent 10-year Budget update in 2021 (and previously in 2018) we have remedied that by putting aside $31.8 billion for capital works. It’s a huge amount, and of course, as our assets grow to over $50 billion in value, that required a growing budget to operate, maintain, renew the assets, and service the interest cost on money borrowed to deliver infrastructure assets that will serve generations of Aucklanders.
The Natural Environment Targeted Rate pays for that and the wiping out of pests like rats, stoats, and possums, to allow our native birdlife to recover.
We are now issuing more building consents in a year than we were in four years combined at the start of the last decade, and that requires Council, the Government, and developers to invest in the assets needed to service that growth. In the last year alone, we have added extra water treatment plants which have increased Auckland’s water supply by a hundred million litres a day, giving our city water supply resilience against climate change-induced drought and the needs of a growing population. We are spending $1.3 billion on a Central Interceptor which will cut wastewater overflows by over 80 per cent on the Western Isthmus, and hundreds of millions on separating stormwater from sewage lines which causes overflows every time it rains. Stormwater improvements like the Awakeri Wetlands in Takanini and Te Auaunga in Mt Roskill are converting drains into attractive streams and parkland areas which better
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Tracks in the Waitakere Ranges are being upgraded to help prevent the spread of Kauri dieback disease which threatens our iconic trees and makes walking tracks safer and more user-friendly.
In transport, major projects like the City Rail Link, the Eastern Busway, and the Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive shared cycle and walkway are fundamental to providing transport choice and reducing carbon emissions. The proposed Climate Change Targeted Rate will massively increase the frequency and accessibility of bus travel, progress decarbonisation of the ferry fleet, and plant street and shade trees in areas of our city with low levels of canopy coverage. Auckland Council is doing this and much more while maintaining one of the highest credit ratings in New Zealand, other than the government itself, and keeping general rates rises lower than almost every other city in the country. There is no budget blowout. Each year the Council gets a clean bill of health from the audit office. And in the last two years, we have maintained progress while dealing with the massive financial hit caused by Covid-19 and lockdowns. (PIPPA COOM) PN Do you have a view on Council’s budget priorities and funding for climate action? The Annual Budget 2022/23 consultation is open from 28 February to 28 March 2022. Details at akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz pippa.coom@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
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MEET CANNAPLUS+ Ponsonby’s New Medicinal Cannabis Clinic Breaking Barriers to Improve our Quality of Life. CannaPlus+ is New Zealand's first internationally affiliated medicinal cannabis clinic network and telemedicine platform, dedicated to improving both health and lifestyle. The CannaPlus+ clinic is conveniently located in the heart of Ponsonby. The clinic has been founded with the guiding purpose to improve the lives of New Zealanders by empowering them to live an optimal healthier life by removing barriers and providing access to high quality and affordable medicinal cannabis. CannaPlus+ is challenging the status quo by educating both health professionals and patients alike about the plethora of uses and health benefits of medicinal cannabis and are dedicated to assisting New Zealanders to get the assistance they need by providing personalised treatment programmes supplied by a team of specialist doctors to ensure patients have access to the best treatment options available. Central to the CannaPlus+ ethos is the understanding that a holistic view of this emerging industry is critical; achieved
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not only by empowering their patients but also by taking a leading stance and educating other healthcare practitioners across the country. Backed by a strong board of medical experts, CannaPlus+ provides Kiwis with safe, research-based, legal and affordable access to high-quality medicinal cannabis treatment. Behind every successful clinic is a team of expert doctors, that’s why CannaPlus+ had a unique checklist when choosing their physicians to fulfil their mission. Not only were they looking for leaders in their field, but they also needed to be united by a fervent desire to make a difference in the everyday lives of Kiwis. “Aside from helping patients manage their symptoms through medicinal cannabis, we needed doctors who were ready to work alongside our patients to empower them on their individual health journeys,” says Chief Medical Officer Dr. Afraz Adam.
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
CannaPlus+ boasts a carefully selected team of renowned, highly qualified senior consultants with specialties across multiple fields including oncology, palliative care, dermatology, acute and chronic pain, inflammation, gut health, joint issues and muscular pain. They cater to a broad spectrum of patients across a breadth of health concerns. “When selecting our medical doctors, we focused on finding a diverse team of specialists who were empathetic, understanding, energetic and passionate. All our doctors share these key qualities. They are all both caring and highly professional individuals,” says Dr Adam. “It is important to ensure that patients can not only trust our doctors as medical professionals but also feel safe to speak openly, knowing they are being truly heard,” Dr Adam adds.
CannaPlus+ clinic opens its doors on Tuesday 22 February at 231 Ponsonby Road. For more information please visit their website www.cannaplus.co.nz PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
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LOCAL NEWS
KELMARNA GARDENS: Team up with Auckland restaurants for a unique
farm-to-table experience at their urban community farm For the fourth year in a row, Grey Lynn’s Kelmarna Gardens is inviting Aucklanders to join them for an outdoor restaurant experience, enjoying food from the farm, on the farm.
“We believe it is our responsibility to support what the passionate people at Kelmarna do every day and are thrilled to be able to take part in this series of events.”
The collaborative Farm Dinners concept was launched in 2019 and has since returned every summer, with local restaurant partners challenged to create a menu inspired by what the garden and the season can provide. This year’s edition sees the return of Symonds Street restaurant, Forest, as well as Grey Lynn favourite Ozone, and the addition of Salo Salo, a new Filipino pop-up tactile dining experience.
Dining out in the garden will help raise valuable funds to support Kelmarna’s educational and therapeutic work in the community, with 50% of proceeds from Farm Dinners going straight to the charitable trust.
This February sees the format expand to a total of six nights, with Forest taking up residence from 16th to 19th February, and Ozone and Salo Salo taking over the following week on 23 and 24 February respectively. In each case, the fresh, organic vegetables grown all around the diners will form the focus of the set menu, with flavours also drawn from foraged ingredients found in Kelmarna’s food forest, and additional ingredients sourced locally and sustainably.
Farm Dinners dates: Forest: 16, 17, 18, & 19 February Ozone: 23 February Salo Salo: 24 February KELMARNA GARDENS, 12 Hukanui Crescent, Ponsonby, T: 09 376 0472, www.kelmarnagardens.nz Tickets for Forest at $95, Ozone and Salo Salo at $90. For more info and ticket booking visit:
www.kelmarnagardens.nz/farmdinners
Forest and Ozone, who both heavily feature Kelmarna’s produce on their menus every week, will each be serving a 4-course set menu, applying their creative lens to use as much as possible from Kelmarna’s 1.7 hectares. Salo Salo, meaning “gathering”, will transport diners to the Filipino archipelago, bringing their take on the traditional communal dining practice of ‘kamayan’, a celebration feast laid out on banana leaves and designed to be enjoyed with the hands. “We couldn't do what we do without the opportunities provided by our incredible supplier network. Kelmarna are proving the viability of producing nutrient-dense, delicious food in an urban environment at volume,” explains Joe O’Connell, Ozone’s Chef de Cuisine.
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
Towels & more
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LOCAL NEWS
DAVENPORTS LAW:
PLANNING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION Philip and Barbara had set their trust up when they owned their business, a small engineering firm which had been very successful. They had three adult children and five grandchildren. The trust owned their family home, a bach in the Bay of Islands, the commercial property that the business was run from and an investment portfolio with a well regarded funds management company. Philip and Barbara’s eldest son, James, had worked in the business since finishing university and five years ago Tammy McLeod he had bought the business from Philip and Barbara’s trust. The trust had lent James the money to buy the business. There was no interest being charged and James was slowly paying off the debt over time. Their two other children, Jonathan and Megan, were in vastly different circumstances. Megan was a solo mum, her marriage having split up three years before. She worked as a primary school teacher and Barbara and Philip were often helping her out with both childcare and the odd “little extra” to help her make ends meet. Jonathan was single, a successful real estate agent, who was doing extremely well for himself in the current property market boom. Barbara and Philip had read a bit about the changes to trust law and of course, it was often the topic of conversation when they met up with their friends. Many of their friends were considering winding up their trusts and Barbara and Philip thought maybe it was something that they should consider. They talked to their accountant who suggested that they meet with a specialist trust lawyer. He said that trust law was becoming far more specialised, and a bit like going to a cardiologist rather than your GP for chest pains, it was wise to seek advice from someone who specialised in trusts. They got in contact with the lawyer who he had recommended and went along with their large file of trust documents and an open mind. The lawyer explained that there are a lot of people who have trusts who no longer need them – especially as they aged and they wanted to simplify their personal affairs, but there were still very good reasons for lots of people to still have trusts.
She said that even though Philip and Barbara no longer had any business risk and that kind of asset protection was no longer required, their family circumstances warranted retaining the trust. Philip and Barbara were very keen for Megan to receive additional funds in the event that they both died and a trust was a great platform to provide that flexibility. Barbara was particularly concerned that if she died and Philip met someone else, that the assets would remain protected for the children. She had seen her own inheritance diminish significantly when her father re-married after her mother passed away. He had ended up giving a lot of his wealth to his new wife’s children during his life time and Barbara would not want that happening to her children. Due to the significance of their assets, the lawyer explained that continuing the trust would be a sensible idea given that concern. Both Philip and Barbara also wished for the Bay of Islands house to stay in the family for as long as possible and a trust is the perfect vehicle for long term hold of assets. The trust would also assist with making sure that whatever they passed on to their children would be protected for their children and grandchildren and would not become relationship property and then divisible if their relationship split. This was a real concern, especially seeing how vulnerable Megan was after the split from her husband. The lawyer explained that a really good will could also alleviate these concerns, but coupled with their other needs, it was best to keep the trust going. The trust was also paying school fees for the grandchildren and this offered a tangible tax benefit, as the trust gave the flexibility to be able to tax those income distributions to the grandchildren at their lower tax level. Barbara and Philip felt hugely relieved after seeing the specialist trust lawyer. She had put them at ease that the structure they had was best and also gave some good advice around how they could improve on how they managed the trust and also make sure the trust was complying with the new changes to the law. If you feel you could use some specialist trust advice, don’t hesitate to contact the Trusts Team at Davenports Law by calling 09 883 3284 or visiting davenportslaw.co.nz.
DAVENPORTS LAW, 331 Rosedale Road, Level 1, Building 2, Albany, T: 09 883 3284, www.davenportslaw.co.nz
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
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LOCAL NEWS
JOHN ELLIOTT:
THE BIG ISSUES OF 2021 AND CONFRONTING 2022 I don’t intend to have a major splo about the Covid-19 issue which unfortunately is still with us and now Omicron is confirmed as present. But I would say this...
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
LOCAL NEWS Like prominent science experts, I am concerned how many Omicron cases are emerging at the border. Too many are testing positive on day one and a pause is necessary until more suitable pre-arrival tests are undertaken. Some, I’m told are even buying negative test results before they leave their country of temporary residence. I also think schools should not open until as many as possible 5-11 year olds are vaccinated. Get on with it, I say. It’s a worry how many overseas kids are in hospital with Omicron, including under-one-year- olds. HOUSING: MAYBE LODGERS FOR CODGERS WOULD HELP?
The cost of housing, and the inability of young couples to buy a first home, is getting right out of control. I partly blame the four major overseas banks, who each made more than a billion dollars profit last year. Our government should get control of our own bank, Kiwibank, build affordable homes and sell some by equity sharing. There are lots of young couples earning $100,000 between them, who can service a reasonable mortgage, but have no show of saving $100,000 deposit for a $700,000 home, and then secure and repay a $600,000 mortgage. They may, however, be able to put down $50,000, secure a $200,000 mortgage, and own half a house, with the
government retaining half, and a right of further purchase as the couples’ circumstances improve. Another quirky possibility is for empty nesters living in large houses with spare bedrooms might take in young people as both companions and boarders. This is the premise of the British programme now on TV, 'Lodgers for Codgers'. A lot of learning can take place both with the young and the old. Any innovative ideas are worth trying. We can’t go on with young people saving thousands of dollars, only to find house prices are escalating at twice the amount they are saving. It’s not only dispiriting, it’s morally wrong. A left leaning government should be able to fix it. CARCINOGENIC GLYPHOSATE STILL ENDANDERING OUR LIVES
I have been banging on about the dangers of glyphosate for several years, but nothing seems to change. Recently I was incensed to find my berm outside my house had been sprayed. We are on the no-spray council list, or are supposed to be. My understanding is that that illustrious independent body, answerable to no one - Auckland Transport - is responsible for road and berm control. I have been repeatedly assured by council, including councillor Pippa Coom, that glyphosate is being “phased down”.
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This is an intractable problem when the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), refuses to ban it from use in New Zealand. Why would they, when they take their advice from the US EPA, a reputedly corrupt organisation which in recent years has been using former tobacco lobbyists to argue for glyphosate maker Monsanto that glyphosate is safe. Meanwhile many enlightened countries have banned Roundup, the product most likely to include glyphosate, and law suits have cost Monsanto millions of dollars as courts find against them. Now, Bayer, the German company which bought glyphosate from Monsanto for 63 billion dollars, CASH, is being sued right, left and centre, around the world. There are Aucklanders who are vulnerable to chemicals including glyphosate getting sick after berm spraying. It’s only a matter of time before someone sues the council for its use, as well as owner Bayer. I have tried several times to get an answer from council why my berm was sprayed, unsuccessfully. I’m threatening to sue them. WESTERN SPRINGS FOREST
Last week I walked through the forest (the tracks are good) to see how the newly planted natives are faring. Most are still alive, but very dry. It will be way beyond my lifetime before any real restoration of a native forest actually occurs. It’s a shame, but relitigation of the pine removals is pointless. We have to move on. But what an error of judgement was made by our local board. It is also shameful that council has not stopped trees being cut down all over Auckland, partly as a result of National’s weakening of the Resource Management Act when they were in power. There is still, as Greta Thunberg has said, a lot of 'blah blah blah' about climate change and too little action. THE WAITEMATĀ LOCAL BOARD IN 2022
Last year was anything but a vintage year for the Waitematā Local Board. This was particularly disappointing because democracy was threatened on a number of occasions.
Perhaps it was unfortunate for the Board that they struck two such intractable issues - the Western Springs Pine Forest and the Erebus Memorial. I was pretty involved with the Forest issue, not so much the Erebus Memorial, and I remain convinced that the Board erred seriously against public opinion on both issues. I don’t know if Dove Myer Park can be spared the Erebus Memorial or not, but I do know the pine trees have gone for ever from Western Springs and we must move on. I sincerely hope the Board can redeem itself this year, and recover lost public support. There are unlikely to be two such controversial issues about this year, but the Board needs to recalibrate how it deals with the public, and focus hard on genuine democratic rule, with plenty of real community consultation - no more decision-making by caucus behind closed doors. I think there is plenty of ability among members, and a modicum of understanding of what went wrong last year and how the Board can function in a more democratic and conciliatory way.
City Vision Waitematā local board candidates
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
LOCAL NEWS There is, however, one issue that needs careful consultation this year - the restoration of the Leys Institute building. I spoke with local heritage expert, Alan Matson, who emphasised that there are many options for what and how a remediation could take place. He believes it will be a real test of whether the Waitematā Local Board can or will, be more democratic this year. Keep an open face, I say, and use the expertise of local people, and wide consultation, and 2021 will soon be forgotton. Good luck - you deserve it. CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTING NEW ZEALAND AND THE ENTIRE WORLD
Just a few final words on climate change - it’s been a hard topic to grasp, so much of it happening in other parts of the world outside our ken. Now, however, it’s beginning to hit home, and our government must act. Seven of the last ten years have been the hottest in New Zealand’s history. Just as I write this, a tsunami from the Tongan volcanic eruption has hit Tutukaka in Northland and destroyed a number of boats. A giant fire in the far north has devastated thousands of hectares of land including important wet lands and habitats for rare animal species. If it’s not fires, it’s floods. If it’s not floods, it’s serious draught. Food shortages are threatening famine all over the globe. Vaccine shortages are hindering control of Covid-19 outbreaks in third world countries, while several greedy western countries
are touting fourth and fifth boosters, while some countries haven’t managed even half their populations with one jab. We don’t have a particularly positive year ahead, but we have to do our best - all of us, individually. We must avoid the trap that US environmental expert Gus Speth worries about when he says, “I used to think the top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, eco-system collapse and climate change. But I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy and to deal with them we need a spiritual and cultural transformation and we scientists don’t know how to do that.“ Good spotting to those who note I have used that quote before in the Ponsonby News, and I may do again. It seems to me to encapsulate the social and political aspects of climate change as well as the science. Is it simply a matter of man waking up to the fact that his days on this planet are seriously limited if drastic action is not taken. I might not see Armageddon but my kids or their kids almost certainly will unless some drastic u-turns are taken. Once Covid-19 has gone or is under control, our government has serious work to do socially as well as economically. I hope they are up for it. (JOHN ELLIOTT) PN
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HELEN WHITE:
Labour List MP based in Auckland Central It’s been wonderful to see people out and about over summer having a great time in the sun while also taking Covid precautions to keep us all safe. Enjoying the long summer days and the chance to spend them with friends and whānau has been possible due to the hard work everyone has put in over the last two years. Thanks to the dedication of people in Auckland Central and right across New Zealand, we’ve entered 2022 in a good position with a stronger than expected economy, historically low unemployment, and among the lowest rates of cases, hospitalisations, and deaths in the OECD. Our high vaccination rates and the safeguards of the traffic light system have meant we’ve been able to enjoy a great summer break. However, in the past couple of months, we’ve seen the impact Omicron has had overseas. Many countries are grappling with soaring cases, overloaded hospitals, and new restrictions to slow the spread. Our border controls have protected us from Omicron so far, but we know we need to be prepared for cases. Children aged 5 to 11 are now eligible to be immunised against Covid-19 – so parents can choose to protect their kids and, by extension, those around them. Meanwhile, most vaccinated adults will be eligible to receive booster doses by the end of February. These are both vital parts of our response to Omicron. The Pfizer vaccine for children is available at sites throughout New Zealand, including walk-ins, drive-throughs, hauora providers, community pharmacies, and general practices. Getting vaccinated now is a great way to help protect tamariki before they go back to school. While children who contract Covid-19 may have milder symptoms, some will still get very sick and end up in hospital.
Immunised tamariki are also less likely to spread the virus to vulnerable members of the whānau. This is a parent’s choice, and it’s really important to get the information you need to make that choice – whether by chatting to your healthcare provider, visiting covid19.govt.nz, or talking to a trained advisor on the Covid Vaccination Healthline at 0800 28 29 26. Once you have all the information, you can find a nearby vaccination site and make a booking on bookmyvaccine.nz. Meanwhile, if you’re aged 18 or over and it’s been at least four months since your second dose, you’re now eligible for your booster. I really encourage you to go out and get it as soon as you can, as data suggests that a booster dose can provide better protection against Omicron. It’s brilliant we have two extra tools to ramp up our defences against Omicron. Of course, masking up, scanning in, and using our vaccine passes remain some of the most important ways we can take care of each other. Thank you to all of those here in Auckland Central who are already taking these simple steps as you move around our community. It makes a real difference and will allow us to do more of what we love in the year ahead. (HELEN WHITE)) PN www.labour.org.nz/helenwhite
SUMMER TIMES AT BREAD & BUTTER “It has been an incredibly stressful and difficult couple of years in hospitality”, says Isabel Pasch, owner of Bread & Butter Bakery and Café in Grey Lynn. Their online store was hugely popular during the strict Level 4 lockdown, delivering not only the baked treats and sourdoughs from Bread & Butter, but also, in collaboration with the Grey Lynn Farmers Market, a whole range of essential goods from fresh vegetables, milk and eggs to vegan spreads, chilli oils and more. Nevertheless the effects of the lockdowns have resulted in the smaller Bread & Butter outlets in Ponsonby and Whangaparaoa having to close in 2021. For the iconic Grey Lynn café, having a supportive landlord has made things a bit easier. They embraced the idea of al fresco dining, so Bread & Butter set up a shaded outdoor space in the carpark outside the café, sheltered from the traffic by pallet planters with a seating capacity of up to 24 people. “Having now only the bakery and café in Grey Lynn is in a way a blessing because we can really focus on product development”, says Pasch. Expect new flavours on the menu, from fermented vegetables that preserve the bounty of summer, to Kelmarna Gardens seasonal greens, a range of new smoothies, to new pastry flavours and tweaks and changes to some of the old classics.
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“Of course we are very apprehensive of how people in Auckland are going to react to Omicron finally making it into New Zealand communities”, says Pasch, “but we feel we have been able to provide a safe and welcoming space. We bake healthy organic sourdough breads that support gut health, which in turn supports overall health and our treats are good for the soul and available for purchase online and take away.” Being able to enjoy community, good conversations and good food is something that is not dispensable forever and people will have to trust themselves and others and support each other. On the whole New Zealanders have been incredibly resilient and compliant, and we need to remember we need each other: hugs, smiles and embraces included. www.breadandbutter.nz
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
YOUR LOCAL AGENT DELIVERING RESULTS Born and bred in Westmere, and now residing here in a home that has been in the family for 50+ years, Greg has a strong connection to this area and an extensive local network of advocates and clients. Recognised by New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty as a high achiever, Greg has sold a variety of properties in Auckland and beyond and is now focusing his efforts on his local neighbourhood of Westmere, Herne Bay, Ponsonby, Grey Lynn and surrounds.
SPECIAL OFFER List and sell your property with Greg before 31 March 2022 and receive a marketing refund of up to $5,000 including GST. * *TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Valid for exclusive listings signed with Greg Dennerly at New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty before 31st March 2022 for a minimum of 90 days. The refund amount is up to a maximum of $5,000 inclusive of GST, amount to be agreed between the vendor and Greg Dennerly and included on the signed exclusive listing agreement. Vendor must pay agreed marketing costs up front and in full to New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty. The agreed refund amount will be paid to the vendor upon a completed and unconditional sale within the exclusive listing period. Vendor agrees to a New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty signboard being installed on the property for duration of the exclusive listing.
GREG DENNERLY M +64 21 042 0966 | greg.dennerly@nzsir.com N Z S OT H E B YS R E A LT Y.C O M Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated. Browns Real Estate Limited (licensed under the REAA 2008) MREINZ.
LETTERS & EMAILS
EREBUS MEMORIAL
It has been such a pleasure for me to meet the wonderful people who have been peacefully protecting the very undesirable site the Prime Minister has chosen to erect a memorial to the Erebus tragedy. I say undesirable because there’s a big risk we will lose the ancient pohutukawa tree which is a memorial in itself. I say undesirable because over 16,000 people have signed a petition saying they don’t want a plane crash memorial in the beautiful Dove Myer Robinson Park - a park that Auckland city dwellers use as their playground, walk their dogs, and go there for picnics. A park that has sea views, beautiful roses, although is very noisy from traffic, trains and the Auckland wharf. I see no resemblance to an air tragedy and wonder why it was chosen. In 2018 I attended an Erebus Memorial Service and it was there I was informed by the Prime Minister along with the Mayor of Auckland that the Ponsonby Rose Gardens was the place where a memorial to the Erebus tragedy would be built. This announcement caused a lot of objections from the many family members present that day. The Prime Minister did reply “I’m hearing you.” It is now nearing the 42nd Anniversary of the Erebus Disaster; she still has not responded to the petition that was presented to Government. She still has not heard the dedicated people who are protecting their park and the treasured pohutukawa tree.
NO MORE HIDE AND SEEK
One of the children's favourite willow trees beside Western Springs Lake has been unceremoniously felled. The tree was healthy, even though its centre had rotted out forming a great hiding place inside the trunk. What does it matter, willows are on the 'Pest Register'? Swans and cygnets eat willow leaves. Many birds and bats nest in hollows of craggy trees. No longer can children and adults use it to play 'hide and seek'.
I guess I have never got over from losing my father in the unnecessary and tragic way of the Erebus accident. Maybe it would be nice to have a memorial with his name on it, but not where it’s not wanted - somewhere more relevant, and somewhere where it’s wanted.
More inconsiderate behaviour from Waitematā Local Board Parks Portfolio holders, Adriana Christie and Richard Northey, making decisions without consulting park users, Auckland ratepayers.
Margaret Brough, Tauranga
Dimple Varma, Nature lover and Ethical Designer
EMERGENCY SERVICES VS CYCLEWAYS Karangahape Road cycleway was criticised for reducing this main arterial road from two lanes to one lane each way, especially when it is a link between the emergency services in Pitt St and the Southern Motorway on-ramp at Symonds Street and Auckland Hospital on the other side of Grafton Bridge. We have all experienced the long queues on Karangahape Road since Auckland Transport reduced the number of cars that are let through the K Rd/Queen Street traffic lights. The same occurs in Queen Street with only two vehicles allowed through each light change that blocks buses too. It’s all part of the plan by NZTA to deliberately slow down traffic by causing traffic queues to the point of annoying people out of cars according to a Radio New Zealand interview in June 2021. ‘Greater Auckland’ blogger, Matt Lowrie, went on to say that they are aware of the extra omissions this will cause. This picture tells it all; on 5.30pm Friday 21 January a kitchen fire occurred in a below ground premise. Because of the narrow road buses and fire trucks couldn’t fit side by side in the street without crossing the centreline. At the same time a cyclist used the road while the cycle lane remained empty. Meanwhile traffic backed up down the length of the road. All that space for a cycleway - bad design by Auckland Transport endorsed by Auckland Council and Waitematā Local Board. Fire engines had difficulty accessing that fire opposite the Casino. It was worse than it should have been because fire
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trucks were jammed in Nelson St and had to go with the flow of traffic to reach Hobson St, resulting in multi millions of dollars damage. The average time to reach any city fire is now 17 minutes more than before roads were narrowed for cycleways. Gael Baldock, Community Advocate
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
LOCAL NEWS
WESTERN SPRINGS SAGA CONTINUES Auckland Council Community Facilities plan to consult on a ‘loop track’ in the cleared forest area in a ‘Have Your Say’ in February 2022. This proposed ‘loop track’ will adjoin the refurnished walking track where it intersects the devastation caused by the removal of all vegetation when they removed the existing forest, inching approximately 150,000 native and then planted seedlings in the chip. These have been attacked by rabbits, which they are now shooting to control, and the seedlings are being left to survive or not in this hot, dry summer, without water. The intention is that the ‘loop track’ will intersect with the walking path near the bridge that crosses the Waiōrea Stream before leading to Western Springs Lakeside Te Wai Ōrea Park. The main issue that a community ecologist pointed out is, that involves traversing down one of the ‘overland water causes’, the most sensitive part of this once ‘significant ecological area’. He is also concerned that this area has not had suitable native vegetation planted there that likes ‘wet feet’, like kahikatea. Community are also concerned that cyclists will race down this track as the have been doing on the walking track while bouncing down stairs and nearly colliding with pedestrians as was noted in a previous letter to the editor. Resident, Annette Isbey started the community protection group of the former forest in 2006 after off road cyclists had been causing damage to the native under storey. The cycle lobbyists were among those pushing for the removal of the forest, including former Waitematā Local Board Chair, Pippa Coom. Current Board Chair Richard Northey is suggesting the ‘loop track’ is for ‘accessibility’ but the slopes involved do not make it wheelchair accessible. Waitematā Local Board Chair approved consultation for the ‘loop track’ in the September public meeting (File CP2021/13646). It is estimated to cost $83,000, to be taken from the Board’s Local Discretionary Initiatives (LDI) capital expenditure budget. Member Alex Bonham voted against the proposal, suggesting that a meeting to look into possible projects for spending of the LDI budget occur before making this decision. Members Sarah Trotman and Kevin Leoni also voted against the motion. As could be seen by the pegged out location of the ‘loop track’ during ‘planting day’, the contractors had already
removed native trees for the path of this folly. This planning therefore allowed avoidance of another resource consent and the consultation to claim that no trees need to be cut down for this part of the operation. The forest removal has opened up a lovely view of the lake. So an alternative could be to extend the walking path into the cleared area to a viewing point with seating as a destination without accessing the sensitive overground watercourse, if that view is to be preserved. This is about a fifth of the alternative and likely to be closer to $10,000 in ratepayers funding. Or the area could be left alone entirely to allow Nature to restore the damage done by unnecessary interference with the transitioning native forest. Community need to decide, after spending blew out to $2million destroying the forest, if they want another $83,000 spent on this proposal, when that is likely to blow out again. Gael Baldock, Community Advocate
www.ponsonbycommunity.org.nz/venue-hire
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CHLÖE SWARBRICK:
AUCKLAND CENTRAL MP We wear seatbelts regardless of whether we’ve had a crash. We require bakeries to get food safety processes certified regardless of whether anyone’s ever got food poisoning from their pies. We ensure doctors get medical licences before they’re allowed to perform surgery. We do these things because we know these things carry risk, even if that risk might not become a reality. We’ve known the Covid-19 Omicron variant has been on the horizon for a while. Now it’s here, it’s time to use the systems and support we’ve been building – and you bet the Greens will be working to ensure they’re available to all who need them. Life at ‘Red’ means thinking about how we’re all connected and acting to protect ourselves and our communities. Double vaccination rates in Ponsonby and our surrounding Bays are at a world-leading 95%, meaning we’re already utilising some of the best armour available in our fight against the virus. Other critical tools include well-fitted masks, physical distancing and good ventilation. While the Government’s Covid-19 Protection Framework (or, ‘the traffic light’) provides some important ground rules on the implementation of these things, the Greens have been working since this pandemic first hit our shores to ensure these defences are genuinely available to everyone. For some, that looks like proper financial support, to enable doing the right thing to be the obvious and least stressful thing. Within Auckland Central, it’s looked like regular contact with you, my constituents, with schools, authorities and business associations to coordinate creative solutions for large numbers of people, like a pop-up, walk-in vaccination or testing centres, official self isolation guidance for those in apartments, or rent relief for small businesses. Other times it’s looked like individual support, like helping folks get their groceries or freelancers access the income support they deserve. Some have, rightly, raised concern about mental wellbeing. Unfortunately, the Mental Health Foundation was forced to put out public statements near the end of 2021 pushing back against some of the more over-simplified rhetoric that was beginning to get uncritically reported. The organisation’s point was that while mental health can absolutely be impacted by lockdowns and
pandemic restrictions, there’s a gross logical fallacy in arguing that mental health would be perfect if Covid-19 were allowed to tear through our communities. Contemplating all of this, and being utterly frank, I must admit that I myself and people I know experienced difficult times through 2021. It can be true that it was hard and it can also be true that those restrictions were necessary to get us to a place where many experienced an effectively Covid-free summer. We know from crucial studies and reports like the Government’s own commissioned He Ara Oranga: Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry that all of us inherit parts of our mental health from our parents and grandparents, as we do with our physical health. The fascinating part is that it’s our environments that can either aggravate or mitigate the good or bad stuff. These things can be whittled down to choices – that may be peer-pressured or not – like drinking or smoking, or more ‘systemic’ things, like the quality of our housing. It turns out that among the most important things we can do for mental wellbeing is ensure all of us have a sense of self, a sense of connection to others and a sense of purpose. These are built on access to some resources, like enough money to have a stable home, but they’re also developed in our shared values, which help all of us know we are part of something bigger than ourselves. As we look out for each other in this next battle with the morphing Covid-19 adversary, we know we’re on the same team. If you need any help at all from your local MP, please don’t hesitate to drop my office a line about anything at all. (CHLÖE SWARBRICK) PN
CHLÖE SWARBRICK, T: 09 378 4810, E: chloe.swarbrick@parliament.govt.nz
KIA ORA PONSONBY Please get in touch with any local issues. My office is here to help. Chlöe Swarbrick MP for Auckland Central 09 378 4810 chloe.swarbrick@parliament.govt.nz Authorised by Chlöe Swarbrick, MP for Auckland Central, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
NATAL ALU MODULAR SOFA - DESIGN BY STUDIO SEGERS
www.dawsonandco.nz
LOCAL NEWS
KEN RING:
WEATHER BY THE MOON - AUCKLAND WEATHER DIARY, FEBRUARY 2022 February is fine for the first and third weeks but may be wet for the second and fourth week. Overall, expect a wetter, cloudier month than the average, with temperatures close to normal. The barometer may average around 1012mbs, with highest pressures in the first week and lowest pressures in the last week. Heavy rain is expected around 11th-13th. The 8th may be the day with highest temperatures and the start of the warmest week. The best weekend for outdoor activities may be 19th/20th.
18th. Chances are also good for around noon of 8th-11th, and 23rd-25th.
For fishers, the highest tides are around 3rd. The best fishing bite-times in the east are around dusk on 1st-2nd and 16th-
Always allow 24-hour error for all forecasting. (KEN RING)
For gardeners, planting is best (waxing moon ascending) between 14th-16th, and pruning on 28th (waning moon descending). For preserving and longer shelf-life, pick crops or flowers on neap tide days of 12th and 25th.
For future weather for any date, and the 2022 NZ Weather Almanac, see www.predictweather.com.
Opinions expressed in Ponsonby News are not always the opinion of Alchemy Media Limited & Ponsonby News.
Sunday mornings at the Grey Lynn Community Centre 510 Richmond Road
34 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
LOCAL NEWS
LEYS INSTITUTE LITTLE LIBRARY NEWS Kia ora koutou Ponsonby. Happy New Year; fingers crossed the start of 2022 means library programmes are set to return as is the Pride festival. Though like everything these days they are not quite the same. This month Ponsonby (and the rest of Auckland) are celebrating Pride. On Wednesday 16 February you will find some Leys library faces at Studio One Toi Tū with 'Same Same But Different' hosting the 7th Poetry Speakeasy at 5pm. We promise an evening of rainbow poets and poetry, with an open mic, guest readers Courtney Sina Meredith and Lily Holloway, and host Michael Giacon. Come along to read, listen, and enjoy in our welcoming queer word nest, refreshments provided. Pre-book at www.eventbrite.com or at Leys Institute Little Library. Most exciting in our calendar of Pride events is 'Rainbow Storytime' on Friday 18 February with the fabulous Miss Trinity Ice. Join us on the lawn of All Saints Church Ponsonby (284 Ponsonby Road) at 11am for some rainbow themed stories, songs, dancing and fun, plus of course bubbles. Some kidfriendly light refreshments provided. Down the road at the Grey Lynn Library on Tuesday 15 February you can join the Sisters Gay from 6.30pm for 'Private Eyes': A library event for Pride. A 2022 literary salon (aka Storytime) for grown-ups and other family. Rendez-vous with our intrepid heroines to detect dangerous liaisons, reveal the romance of mystery, and make the catch/match of the day, refreshments provided. Pre-book at www.eventbrite. com or at Grey Lynn Library. Last, but not least our regular programmes - 'Wriggle and Rhyme' returns from Wednesday 10 February. Join us at the Ponsonby Baptist church every Wednesday at 10am or 11am during the school term. 'Wriggle and Rhyme' is a fun active movement programme full of songs and rhymes to help the development of your infants and toddlers, plus we promise bubbles and pop music at the end to help shake out those ‘wheels on the bus’ earworms.
The Classic Film Club is returning to Grey Lynn Library Hall with the first season’s theme being black comedy. Start date is Friday 25 February at 3pm the season runs for six consecutive Fridays. Enquire at Leys Institute Little Library or Grey Lynn library for further information. At all events we want to do everything we can to keep everyone safe which means we will be taking registrations through Eventbrite and at the library, limiting numbers, checking vaccine passes, and wearing masks. Also keep an eye on our Facebook page in case of changes or cancellations of events. David’s Film Recommendation - Black Comedy Classic: The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie
Six well-heeled, middle-aged friends, who also happen to be drug traffickers, try again and again to sit down to a meal together, but find themselves interrupted at every turn by a series of random events, alternately humdrum and bizarre. Luis Buñuel’s surrealist black comedy, which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1973, continues the director’s life-long preoccupation with lampooning the obsessions and frustrated desires of the middle class. Punctuating the proceedings is a number of brief but sublime interludes, each of which features our impeccably attired party walking incongruously, yet with purpose and confidence, down an empty country road. But where exactly are these charming and rather corrupt bourgeoisie going? Is there, indeed, any purpose at all to their lives, besides the pursuit of pleasure? The film supplies no direct answers to these questions, but it has great fun asking them. PN LEYS INSTITUTE LITTLE LIBRARY, 14 Jervois Road, T: 09 377 0209, www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz
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LOCAL NEWS
Ponsonby Park - FEBRUARY UPDATE We hope you all had a very Happy New Year - and what a great year this will be for Ponsonby Park. Late in 2021, we were informed that progress on the realisation of the new civic space will begin this year! Council Officers advised: “As we move into planning the programme for the 2022/2023 financial year, we are now able to start progressing stage one at 254 Ponsonby Road. This will include budget for detailed design and community engagement in 2022/2023 being made available two years earlier than previously communicated, followed by consent and construction from 2023/2024 onwards.” Additionally: “In 2022 staff will also be seeking an in-principle future budget allocation from the One Local Initiative (OLI) programme via a report to the Finance and Performance Committee for the remainder of the project funding.” And finally: “A project manager will be assigned and liaise with you early in the new financial year (starting July 2022).” In 2022 the construction of Ponsonby Park will finally be underway. It has been 22 years since the need for the civic space was first identified in 2000, and 16 years since the site at 254 Ponsonby Road (currently Liquor King) was purchased in 2006 to remedy this urban open space shortfall. It was 9 years ago in 2013 that a petition of over 1200 signatures, calling for the retention of the whole site for the civic space,
36 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
was presented to the Waitematā Local Board. The result of which was the establishment 7 years ago in 2015 of the (volunteer) Community-Led Design group that has been working hard to achieve this community amenity since then. So, we are delighted that 2022 is the year that Ponsonby Park will be commenced. Brilliant! At our meeting with the Waitematā Local Board at their December Community Clinic, we were informed that they too were pressing for Ponsonby Park to be restored into the Long-Term Plan. It looks like our multi-pronged advocacy has succeeded with Council reviewing the timeframe and moving Ponsonby Park forward as a staged development and utilising the funds that are currently available and allocated specifically for this project. The next step will be the Waitematā Local Board Annual Plan consultation that is to be held from 28 February to 28 March this year. Please do make a submission in support of Ponsonby Park, the new civic space at 254 Ponsonby Road. And thank you again, for your ongoing support as we continue to advocate to give Ponsonby, not only the amenity it needs but also the community heart it deserves. Let’s get it done now. (JENNIFER WARD) PN www.254ponsonbyrd.org.nz
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
2021 THE END OF A ZOOMING YEAR!
LOCAL NEWS
PONSONBY U3A: DECEMBER
Ask any member to name you three things they enjoy at Ponsonby U3A and you will hear at least one of these: friendship, stimulating new interests and learning new skills and knowledge. Mostly, you will hear all three. ‘Zooming’ will not be mentioned but in fact, this technology has proved a boon allowing members to stay in touch through their usual activities. There is an increasing body of research that points to the plagues of elderly people. Chief among them are loneliness, boredom, and helplessness. Ponsonby U3A prides itself on being a community organisation dedicated to addressing such needs through the opportunities this club offers. You may be newly or partly retired with time on your hands, you may be a newcomer to the area, or you may be looking for something new or different. You are invited to see for yourself by starting as a visitor. All you do is first call President, Philippa Tait (027 452 3108) and she will welcome you and give you the next step. In non-Covid climes and times, Ponsonby U3A holds monthly general meetings which feature a principal speaker, someone who is an expert in his or her field and who may come from any discipline from the sciences, medicine, the arts, the corporate, sport and journalism, to name a few. As well, a member gives a short presentation on their life and interests. Throughout the pandemic over the past two years, Ponsonby U3A has continued to hold general meetings by Zoom. They have been very successful and much to President Philippa Tait’s delight, well attended, as members have enthusiastically adopted the technology. Naturally, Philippa is hoping for the time when members can attend in person. Members are encouraged to join at least one of the special interest groups in Ponsonby U3A. It is here where the friendships are forged, where the new learning and the sharing of ideas, and skills happen and where people learn that everyone has something to give and impart. These groups number about 12 people and when conditions permit, members meet in each other’s homes. Throughout lockdowns, many of them continued to operate through Zoom. The last meeting of the year was held by Zoom. It was a lighthearted romp through the life and times of Andrea Kelland. Andrea is an actor and casting director and she skipped us through her many and varied experiences as she canvassed her colourful career over the past fifty years.
Andrea Kelland
As well as taking us to the various countries where she found work, she had many a story of her acting exploits both in mainstream theatres, cabaret, and political street theatre. Next came Bronwen Hughes, a committee member for Ponsonby U3A. Bronwen shared her engaging story of how she and her husband lived their dream and relocated to the French village of St Medard for two unforgettable years. With a population of 170, this village punched above its weight because Michelin starred restaurant, Le Gindreau was in the village. People drove for hours or flew by helicopter to go there and there was no end of rich, royal and famous attendees. Bronwen recalled attending with her husband and being seated next to a count whose sister was the Queen of Denmark. She gave a mouth-watering account of the local wine and food and described their fascinating adventures on the walking trails and kayaking down the Dordogne. The first meeting of 2022 will be in February and for every month thereafter on the second Friday at the Herne Bay
Petanque Club. The February speaker will be MOTAT’S James Duncan on the story behind the arrival of electric trams, and the ten-minute speaker will be Kathy Walker. (CHRISTINE HART) PN NEXT MEETING (BY ZOOM): 10am, Friday, 11 February ENQUIRIES: Philippa Tait, President, Ponsonby U3A M: 027 452 3108, www.u3a.nz
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LOCAL NEWS
Congratulations to the Ponsonby Combined Probus Club on twenty years of promoting social connectedness Best wishes for twenty more! There are three core elements of social connectedness: socialising, social support, and sense of belonging.(1) For older people, these needs become more crucial in avoiding the narrowing effect of retired life. Occasions for meeting up, going on outings and keeping abreast of what’s happening in the world are a vital part of staying fit and healthy, physically and mentally.
With his friend and late colleague Ron McGregor, they became the first convenors of the new club which was duly chartered in September 2001 and a cohort of fifty founding members came aboard. A 20th anniversary celebration was held recently at the clubrooms of the Herne Bay Petanque Club where the club’s regular monthly meetings are held.
Good opportunities for social connectedness in the community usually come about as a result of the generosity and determination of a few enthusiastic individuals who have the necessary get-up-and-go attitude.
The celebration had been delayed as a result of pandemic restrictions, but never mind, it's a new year and a new breeze blows; the club has reconvened with its first speaker of the year and a cake cutting ceremony to mark the occasion.
Meet one of those keen people, John McGuire, an energetic guy with a friendly smile and sharp wit. He’s been retired for some time now, having replaced a busy professional life with all the recreational and travel activities he enjoys, along with a keen public-spirited commitment to community service for the benefit of retirees.
Six of the original founding members from 2002 are still active members, four of whom are seen below assisting at the cutting of the cake.
For many years, John has been involved in leadership with the Auckland Rotary Club, the Ranfurly Veterans Trust (following his time in the New Zealand Army) and Friendship Force International, so he appreciated from personal experience the value and importance of confraternity in the circulation of welfare and goodwill in our communities; working together is the foundation of making ‘general good’ in society.
rosiearm@xtra.co.nz
When he retired, it was no surprise that John instituted negotiations with his Rotary club to establish a new chapter of Probus, the Rotary offshoot organisation formed to meet the social and intellectual needs of retired business people and professionals. The new Probus club would be a place for camaraderie, fellowship and intellectual exchange at a time of life when the demands and responsibilities of working life have been abruptly curtailed.
If you think you would enjoy getting together with other like-minded retirees for new experiences and friendships, contact Rosie Armstrong on 09 486 5181, or email Check out these sites on the value of social connectedness, one from New Zealand and one from Australia. www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/ publications-resources/literature-reviews/socialconnectedness-and-wellbeing.html www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/ Strong-relationships-strong-health#bhc-content (1) From 2018 report commissioned by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) as part of the Families and Whānau Wellbeing Research Programme.
L to R: Ken Hughes, John Goldsmith, John McGuire and Margaret McGuire
38 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
LOCAL NEWS
MELISSA LEE:
2022 Summer and Youth Parliament Many Aucklanders took the opportunity of the regional border closures ending over the holiday break to see loved ones around New Zealand while others from outside Auckland finally had the chance to get back to work and play in our largest city. It was a tough time for hospitality business through this Christmas with Queen Street and other main thoroughfares near deserted at times when just two years ago it would have been thronging with an array of international visitors off cruise ships and airplanes, descending on the viaduct for a great afternoon in the sun. This summer I had the pleasure of welcoming a new member of the family to my house, Basil, a miniature Schnauzer who has been nearly as much effort to train as babysitting a child!
Looking ahead with Omicron bearing down on New Zealand it’s going to remain uncertain times for many around the country. The borders remain closed but our hearts are with all those stuck offshore, particularly our cousins over the ditch in Australia. There are many hard questions to put to the Government over the ongoing MIQ debacle, the unacceptable way so many Kiwis have been left in the lurch during Covid-19 and how we as a nation can move forward and I look forward to championing these and other issues for you in Parliament when we return to the House in February. However, with more positive news 2022 means the 10th Triennial Youth Parliament has now begun and I am thrilled to introduce my Youth MP, Yoonie Park to you all. Yoonie has a fantastic background as a diverse young leader of our city and I can’t wait to get stuck in supporting her championing the issues of young New Zealanders throughout the year in our House of Representatives. I’ve asked Yoonie to say a few words about herself and what she hopes to accomplish throughout the year:
"Kia ora! "My name is Yoonie Park, a 16 year old Korean-Kiwi who loves public speaking, meeting new people and am very honoured to be representing Melissa Lee MP as her Youth MP for 2022. "My summer this year has been filled with family and friends. I spent most of my time finding new places in the city, (while everyone had left Auckland) to eat, take a break, and
Melissa Lee with Yoonie Park
chat with friends. Our conversations are usually filled with excitement and little worries for the upcoming year 12 of high school and sixteenth year of life. "We have many different aspirations and goals - reading more books, getting our learners, doing something to give back to our community. My goals as a Youth MP this year are to learn by expanding my knowledge and experience and to be able to raise my voice for the issues that are currently affecting Rangatahi of Aotearoa. "I believe that being a Youth MP will give me a great opportunity and foundation to speak up as an individual of New Zealand to raise awareness, particularly about racial injustice and mental health of youth. "I am looking forward to the great journey ahead, which will be shared with like-minded young people like myself, and amazing mentors!" "As the summer rolls into autumn I hope you all get the opportunity to get to the beach, our beautiful regional parks or golf courses and have some fun with friends and family – you’ve earned it and you need it!" (MELISSA LEE MP) PN E: mplee@parliament.govt.nz
If you require any assistance I and my office are always happy and ready to provide advice and support Please get in touch on 09 520 0538 or at MPLee@parliament.govt.nz to make an appointment.
Melissa Lee National List MP based in Auckland MPLee@parliament.govt.nz • melissalee.co.nz •
mpmelissalee
Funded by the Parliamentary Service. Authorised by Melissa Lee, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.
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HELENE RAVLICH:
photo unsplash.com
KEEPING FIT & WELL IN 2022
40 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
KEEPING FIT AND WELL photo unsplash.com
Keeping fit and healthy, both physically and mentally, is paramount as we head further into 2022, especially as the pandemic continues to rage on and we live in a constant state of upheaval. It’s easy to say that the best way to counteract the feeling of uncertainty is to just roll with the punches, but that is most definitely easier said than done.
about flexibility and being kinder to myself, choosing the form of exercise that works with my mood rather than fighting it and pushing through regardless.
It’s hard to believe it’s been almost two years since the majority of us were relegated to our homes to work (and play) as the first lockdown unfolded, and I don’t think I’m alone in acquiring more than a few props and online fitness class memberships as time rolled on. Some of us immediately took to transforming our living rooms and bedrooms into at-home gyms, complete with skipping ropes, yoga mats and dumbbells, while others took to the streets and sent their average step counts through the roof. Now our locals gyms and studios are open again it’s essential that we try and support them as we do hospitality, with the bonus being that we feel stronger and happier for it.
Kara Sweney, the owner of Grey Lynn’s Yoga Ground and a busy PR consultant, says: “When it comes to looking after our overall health and doing the best we can for our mind, body and spirit, I’m a big advocate for mixing it up.” She elaborates by adding: “the blending of higher intensity workouts, to get the blood pumping and heart rate up, with strength training (especially important for women of my age and above) and of course practices like yoga, help us to really support our physical, mental and emotional well-being in a balanced way.”
Many of us are questioning when (if at all) we'll head back to a professional workout space, and if we do, how we’ll adapt our routines to the lessons we’ve learnt about well-being and fitness over the last two years. For me, a key lesson has been
As an example, Kara says that when she was training for long distance running races, “I gained my PBs (personal best times) when I incorporated yoga into my training plan. It helped hugely with mobility, recovery and injury prevention, as well as the mental challenge of the commitment and focus required for the training and the race itself.”
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KEEPING FIT AND WELL
Kara is also an avid F45 fan, coupling F45 workouts with her yoga practice (and teaching) at Yoga Ground. “It has been the community support and connection at the two studios that has really been a significant factor in helping maintain good mental health during these trying times we’ve had. Purpose and community are proven to be two major factors in quality and longevity of life.” Kiwi hockey star and co-founder of Studio Box, Dwayne Rowsell, is a man on a mission to demystify the culture around boxing – and the grimy, back alley gyms that many of us associate it with. The key mission of Studio Box (which has locations in Newmarket and the CBD) is to give boxing to the everyday person, in a welcoming, positive and nonintimidating way. “We’re all about breaking down the barriers so people feel most comfortable about trying something new,” he says, adding “boxing can be pretty intimidating for some people, so we’ve broken it down in a way that it can be presented in quite a different way to a whole new audience.” Dwayne says that arriving at any movement class should always be about “showing up for yourself, not showing up for your body,” and that fitness should be about feeling good, first and foremost, at any time of year. He admits that returning to regular fitness after stop-start lockdowns has been tough for some of us, “with some cautious about group fitness due to the threat of the virus, and others who feel like they’ve lost their motivation. The challenge is just to get going again - to get out and move today, and then get out and move tomorrow.” It’s also important not to compare your fitness now to how you felt before the pandemic, “as it’s just going to make you feel like crap." Instead think about how great a workout makes you feel, “drop all expectations and just focus on one workout at a time. Put one foot in front of the other and you’ll be surprised at the difference it makes.” Kara Sweney, Yoga Ground
Dwayne Rowsell in action at Sudio Box
42 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
KEEPING FIT AND WELL HANA's contrast therapy room
Another fitness and wellness trend that is emerging as a result of Covid-19 is the recognition that for all of us, recovery is key. It’s not a new concept, but increasingly the fitness world is waking up to the fact that rest days and active recovery are ultra-important for a healthy body and mind. Whereas once we might have gone for a 10km jog without stretching, or sat down at our desks straight after having finished a HIIT workout, recovery is now a priority in many fitness lovers' minds. After all, active recovery and rest days are just as important as weight and cardio workouts.
shock proteins, which repair damaged proteins and cells, increases the immune system response, and speeds up muscle recovery. Whatever your go-to when it comes to movement, there has never been a better time to embrace it and do all that you can for your body and mind. We can’t control what is out of our control, but we can manage our mindset as we head into the unknown. (HELENE RAVLICH)) PN
Stretching is of the utmost importance, as well as exploring the benefits of both heat and cold water therapy to help take down inflammation and more. HANA in Grey Lynn is my spot of choice for rest and recovery, where I aim to show up once a week and give my body and mind a little love. The main attraction for many at HANA is the private infrared saunas that can be booked for up to 45 minutes, as well as contrast therapy via a designated infrared sauna and ice bath treatment room. Widely used in Europe for centuries, the traditional hot/cold experience involves pushing yourself to your limit in a communal sauna with a very high temperature, then immersing yourself in snow – then repeat. The HANA experience however optimises the latest technology in architecturally designed private rooms, for a far more controlled and contemporary experience.
The heat also supports the dilation of blood and lymphatic vessels to encourage better circulation. Pairing this heat with a two-minute immersion into the ice bath, which sits at six degrees, has numerous benefits including reducing inflammation, constricting blood vessels to redirect circulation towards vital organs, and boosting the metabolism to support weight management. Exposing the body to these extremes of temperature triggers the production of heat shock and cold
photo unsplash.com
The session begins in the infrared sauna for twenty minutes. While traditional saunas raise the air temperature to very high levels, infrared saunas heat the body directly, so that only around 20 per cent of the heat goes to heat the air. Instead, infrared waves penetrate deep into the body for deep heating, which allows the body to activate sweat glands and eliminate toxins.
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HEMP/CANNABIS IS “ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE MEDICINES WE POSSESS” TADHG STOPFORD:
Did you know that Pfizer just paid USD$6.7 billion for a company that makes hemp-like molecules to treat pain and Crohn's disease, and that a recent study showed that raw hemp molecules also substantially reduce the ability of Covid-19 to infect cells. Sounds like a good buy? I wonder why big pharmas have been so slow with cannabis/hemp? Hemp/Cannabis is “one of the most valuable medicines we possess” (Reynolds, 1890). The US Dept of Health even patented it for age related, inflammatory, autoimmune, and ischemic diseases in 2003. As a historian, I'd like you to know that these benefits (and more) have been known for tens of thousands of years, with a written medical record dating back 4,750 years across Asia, India, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Hemp/Cannabis has proven benefits in treating pain, sleep, anxiety, cancer, diabetes, movement disorders like epilepsy, and mood disorders like menopause, bi-polar, depression, and psychosis - to name only a few. The GProtein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) that regulate and protect our health are directly engaged by Cannabis/Hemp oils, which is a good thing.
As an easily grown vegetable, this should mean good health at low cost thanks to cheap sungrown, broadacre full spectrum cannabis/hemp products. However, Medsafe destroyed the 2008 hemp regulations - possibly criminally. The human biology that regulates mind and body, is optimized by the compounds naturally made by this plant; they are mirrors of our own internal signalling systems signals. Easily available hemp/cannabis products would eat into the market share of the products that MedSafe extracts a levy from. Their business model is unfit for a Ministry of Health. Let’s make a difference. Let's all ‘look up’, and let’s improve things. We are running out of time. Why can’t you grow hemp? Who benefits? Let's make it a Hempy New Year for us PN all! (TADHG STOPFORD) Join us at www.thehempfoundation.org.nz
Use religiously
TIGERDROPS
HOLY HEMP
44 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022 CHRISM BY DESIGN
Prohibited food. Not intended for the treatment or prevention of any disease or condition.
WWW.TIGERDROPS.CO.NZ
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
FITNESS ALL TOGETHER (FAT) A COMMUNITY BASED OUTDOOR MOVEMENT Ponsonby News talked to Kevin, founder of Fitness All Together. Could you tell us more about FITNESS ALL TOGETHER?
Fitness All Together (FAT) is an outdoor movement community based in Auckland, started in 2018. Our speciality is High Intensity Interval Training, also called HIIT but we also offer Yoga, Pilates and Meditation sessions for our corporate clients. Whether it’s in person or on-demand, we offer a boutique experience with good music and highly qualified instructors! Can you tell us more about your corporate offering?
Well it’s simple, we love bringing communities together, strengthening teams and believe in the importance of movement so why not build better working relationships with colleagues in between meetings by training together? We are grateful to have spent 3+ years working with and helping a wide range of clients get out of the office on a weekly basis. We have a policy that every Tuesday and Thursday between 12 to 1pm no meetings are allowed so that everyone can come down for a session at the closest park! Building a positive company culture is one of the hardest values to create or maintain and we have proof that exercise and movement are a massive part of it! We pride ourselves on this. You mentioned the fact that you are also offering online classes - how do these work?
The last couple of years have had a massive impact on our day to day life. The importance of exercising to our physical
and mental health is even more crucial now with working from home and other stresses and anxieties playing regular roles in our daily lives. All these reasons made us rethink our offering and so, FAT ON DEMAND was born. Now, anyone can access our best HIIT, PILATES or YOGA workouts anytime, anywhere for a very affordable price. With new workouts constantly being added, you’ll never run out! Any goals for 2022?
Many, as always, but the main ones would be to keep inspiring more people to move! Whilst we can’t be entirely sure what will happen this year with the current global pandemic we live in, I’m convinced that movement and nature are the solution to many of our problems. www.fitnessalltogether.co.nz
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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY
VALENTINE’S DAY AND CHAMPAGNE 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 3rd Century outlawed young men from marrying (his source of potential soldiers) but Valentine, a priest, defied Claudius and continued to marry young lovers. Claudius had him executed but Valentine was declared a martyr and sainted by the Pope. Sending red roses on Valentine's Day as a declaration of undying devotion is a very sweet thought. But considering the pecuniary cynical world we live in, the reaction might well be (with apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning), “How do you love me? Let me count the roses.” Not to mention the inevitable courier delays that’ll leave your flowers wilting in the back of the van before they get to you. Maybe it’s best to send Champagne, that way you can share in the pleasure and maybe even pop the question. At Glengarry you’ll find a host of choices of Champagne; my top three wines would have to be Delamotte Blanc de Blanc Non Vintage, Pol Roger Brut Non Vintage, Drappier Carte D’Or Non Vintage, and if money was of no matter then Salon for sure. In a world where the majority of companies place profit ahead of quality it is refreshing to discover that integrity has not totally disappeared. Champagne Delamotte (established in 1760) together with its extraordinary sister company Salon
(they only make a very very rare Blanc de Blanc) are two of the few still dedicated to the pursuit of perfection. This N.V., surely one of the best kept secrets of Champagne, is a remarkably consistent bubbly. The Chardonnay content is principally from 100% Grand Cru vineyards, the Pinots, Noir and Meunier from selected vineyards. It is a perfect expression of vivacity with a persistent stream of bubbles, doughy, berry fruit, mineral aromas, and wonderfully fresh flavours. Like its much celebrated competitor Moet, Delamotte has a light touch and an impressive depth of flavour. Pol Roger is one of the great names of Champagne. The “Réserve” is an exquisite wine with a rich fruity fragrant bouquet and a delicate creamy mousse. It combines great fruit depth flavours within an elegant structure. Nicely weighted, it finishes on a fine citrus note. Drappier Carte D’Or is blended exclusively from first pressings-this is elegantly structured champagne. Drappier is considered the finest boutique producer in the Côtes des Bar region of the Aube district and are exponents of organic and traditional practices. The Drappiers employ minimal amounts of sulphur and a low dosage approach that bestows a dry and aromatic elegance upon their expressions. Happy Valentine's Day. www.glengarrywines.co.nz
WE'RE YOUR GIFTING EXPERTS THIS
VALENTINE'S
Ownfleet
DAYGIFTING GIFTING
Ow nfleet
WWW.GLENGARRY.CO.NZ | P: 0800 733 505 | E: SALES@GLENGARRY.CO.NZ
46 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
Photography Kate Battersby
EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY Photography Greta Kenyon
Open Valentine’s Day, Monday 14 Februar y. Limited bookings available.
OPEN VALENTINE’S DAY, MONDAY 14 FEBRUARY LIMITED BOOKINGS AVAILABLE
210 SYMONDS STREET T: 09 377 1911 www.sidatthefrenchcafe.co.nz sidatthefrenchcafe
- Gusto Italiano GUSTO MEANING ‘TASTE AND ENJOYMENT’
When you dine with us, the focus is on freshly prepared classic dishes, featuring an excellent range of pasta, seafood, meats and our pizza classics.
OPEN VALENTINE’S DAY, MONDAY 14 FEBRUARY. LIMITED BOOKINGS AVAILABLE.
SIDART, Level 1, Three Lamps Plaza, 283 Ponsonby Road T: 360 2122 www.sidart.co.nz
We also offer our pasta dishes to takeaway, phone for details or check our website for the menu. 263 PONSONBY RD, THREE LAMPS, 09 361 1556 www.gustoitaliano.co.nz
PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY
FACES @ GREY LYNN FARMERS MARKET Tracey Brown and Delena Nathuran make a blend of pea protein and superfoods that Tracey sells at Grey Lynn Farmers Market on Sunday mornings. How did you and Delena meet?
We went to school together in West Auckland and were good mates, but we lost touch over the years. How did you reconnect again?
Good old Facebook. Somehow, we worked out that our families were camping at the same place every year and just missing each other by a few days. We both adjusted our stay the next year to ensure that we overlapped, and now we pick the same dates and the same campsites every year. It sounds like a quintessential Kiwi holiday.
It is! Every January we relax at the beach, walk, swim and explore. Our kids are similar ages - late teens. We love that they get on so well and still like coming on holiday with us. How did you get into business together?
We came up with the idea at our campsite in January 2020 just before the world tipped upside down and we went into lockdown. We were making our breakfast smoothies using blends of protein and superfood powders and wondering why we couldn’t get pre-mixed blends. Have protein powders always been part of your diet?
When I became vegan, I realised that I needed to work harder to get protein. I needed a way to get protein at the start of my day to kick start my metabolism and protein powders were the easiest option. Why did you choose pea protein as a base for your blends?
Pea protein digests quickly and tastes plain so it is easy to mix with a range of fruit or greens. Some other plant proteins have a strong taste that can clash with added flavours and I need a more palatable flavour for my daily routine. How did you chose the other ingredients for your blends?
We wanted the maximum benefit possible and we wanted
ingredients that have benefits for both men and women. We chose ingredients that people have used for hundreds of years and taste good. The vanilla blend has ashwagandha and macca. The chocolate blend has macca and cacao. Tell us more about those ingredients.
Ashwagandha was the superfood that I always wanted to include because of its reputation for alleviating stress and anxiety as well as moderating blood sugar. I find that it helps me feel balanced. Macca is high in vitamins and minerals – it has a reputation for balancing hormones, helping with gut health and skin radiance. Cacao is also an excellent source of minerals and of course it tastes delicious. We use a bit of monk fruit as a sweetener – in my opinion, it tastes nicer than stevia. Where do you get those ingredients from?
We wanted ethical sources and organic sources so the ashwagandha comes from an organic farm in India. The macca and cacao comes from a family-owned organic farm in Peru. Who eats this in your family?
Everyone. These protein powder blends are part of our whole family’s morning routine. The blender always comes to camp. My teenage son loves a blend of oats, peanut butter, milk, and blueberries with the chocolate blend. My husband’s favourite is vanilla protein powder with yoghurt, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. Mine is vanilla protein powder with almond milk, banana, mango, baby spinach, pumpkin seeds and hemp hearts. How did you come up with the name 'Seconds and Thirds'?
We wanted it to be so delicious that people would want to go back for second and third helpings. PN www.secondandthirds.com
GREY LYNN FARMERS MARKET @ the Grey Lynn Community Centre, 510 Richmond Road, www.greylynnfarmersmarket.co.nz
48 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
HAVE YOU TRIED NEW LEAF’S ‘HOPBUCHA?’ This is our trademarked non-alcoholic beer, brewed right here in Ponsonby with pure kiwi hops. We describe Hopbucha as non-alcoholic, no gluten and no guilt. Everything you love about the beer without the beer! Try a free sample at our taproom and see where we brew: New Leaf Kombucha Taproom, 37 Crummer Road Or order online: www.newleafkombucha.nz FREE DELIVERY in Auckland!
EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY
PHIL PARKER:
EMPTY NESTERS PART 5 Grabbing a chance to get away under the orange traffic light, we flew south ASAP to Wellington and Martinborough for five nights in mid-January. Miss 19 is now firmly entrenched in central Wellington and working in a café as a holiday job before her studies resume. It was our first Christmas without her, so it was a good opportunity to catch up with her as well as other family in the Capital. Two things struck us about Wellington: strong winds and strong coffee. A flat white in the Capital is more like an industrial strength double shot with a hint of milk. I had been used to the wind as a youngster growing up there, and the cool breeze was a welcome change from the stifling Auckland heat. Our 4th and 5th nights were spent in Martinborough – charming as ever and boasting great food and wine. Anyway, here’s a selection of some great NZ wines, including three from Martinborough. Bohemian ‘The Dancer’ Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2019 - $26
Dry, crisp and mineral in the Provence rosé style. Cranberry, red berry fruit and red fruit compote, and a nudge of citrus, with a clean and tangy finale. Match with summer salads, chicken and white fish. Available: Four Candles Food Market, blackmarket.co.nz Bohemian ‘The Poet’ Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019 - $26
Dry and tangy with apple juice, clover honey, stone fruit and a hint of lychee. Crisp and refreshing finish. A great pairing with poached, herbed mussels. Available: blackmarket.co.nz De La Terre Hawke’s Bay Arneis 2020 - $37.50
A standout wine. Grapes sourced from the limestone terraces of De La Terre’s Hill Country Estate in Hawke’s Bay. Rich and unctuous at 15% alcohol. Grassy herbaceous flavours with G&T, quinine, nectarine and a hint of clover honey. Match with rich, creamy seafood or chicken. Available: Dhall & Nash.
De La Terre Hawke’s Bay Tannat 2018 - $45
Tannat is a French red grape from the south-western Madiran region. Rich, dark and spicy with medium tannins. Plums and black cherry with good length. Laced with a hint of peppery spice and fruitcake, this one’s a definite keeper. A match for spiced roast duck, mushroom and truffle dishes. Available: Fine Wine Delivery Co. Dry River Martinborough Pinot Noir 2019 - $99
From a premium New Zealand pinot noir producer, this is a stunning example. Soft tannins and a silky, seamless palate of spiced cherry, poached tamarillo and blackcurrant, with earthy truffle and mushroom. Seared steak, spicy lamb or moussaka would be good matches. Available: Caro’s. Dry River ‘The Twelve Spies’ Martinborough 2020 - $65
This wine is a red blend: tempranillo 40%, pinot noir 35%, and syrah 25%. Big bold and luscious with lots of potential for cellaring. Spiced plum, black cherry, cassis and liquorice all wrapped up in firm, persistent tannins. Match with hearty beef dishes or spicy ratatouille. Available: dryriver.co.nz Dry River Lovat Martinborough Syrah 2019 - $71
Big, soft and plush with lashings of black pepper, plum, spice and cassis with medium tannins. Again, very drinkable now but a keeper for 5 years or more. Sadly, this is the second to last vintage of syrah from Dry River following their decision to concentrate more on pinot noir and chardonnay. Great with lamb or spicy tomato pasta. Available: Caro’s. (PHIL PARKER) PN www.finewinetours.co.nz
FINE WINE & FOOD TOURS “No. 2 Auckland Wine Tour” – TripAdvisor Your host, Phil Parker wine writer. Affordable tours for small and large groups.
E: phil.parker@xtra.co.nz
50 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
www.finewinetours.co.nz
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY
NEW SUMMER MENU AT DIDAS This summer weather is amazing isn’t it and certainly just what was required. It is bursting with colour and freshness, just like our new Summer Menu: Tuna crudo tostada, kaffir lime, chilli, coriander $9 each. Fried chicken slider, chipotle, pickle, slaw $9 each. Chicken liver parfait, cherry, walnut, toasted sourdough $15. Crispy fried potatoes, smoked paprika, aioli $11. Fried New Zealand arrow squid, gremolata, lemon mayo $16. Massimos stracciatella, pickled yellow tomato, fennel, lemon oil $18. Baby cos lettuce salad, green goddess, white anchovy, cured yolk $14. Curious cropper heirloom tomatoes, nectarine, red onion, basil, white balsamic $16. Tigelle, san daniele prosciutto, rock melon, sun dried tomato, stracciatella $22. Australian prawns, garlic & chilli butter, parsley, lemon $24. Wagyu bavette, charred spring onion, beef jus $24. Chargrilled NZ octopus, smoked roe, chorizo $24. Pork belly, burnt honey and soy glaze, apple salad $23. We’ve got all the safety measures in place and are looking forward to looking after you at Didas. More than ever, it’s definitely time to support local! We are open Tuesday – Sunday and look forward to seeing you very soon. DIDA’S, 60 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 2813, www.didaswinelounge.co.nz
NE W MENU We can’t wait for you to try it 60 JERVOIS RD
(0 9) 376 2 813
DIDAS.CO.NZ
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SOFIA ROGER WILLIAMS: VEGAN
VIBE
In the heart of Ponsonby, The Ponsonby International Foodcourt is a timeless casual dining favourite of mine that has something for everyone - even vegans. This proudly three time award winner of the “Best Foodcourt” in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, has kept the institution going for not far off 20 years. They will celebrate this milestone in 2023 and despite the hardships that the pandemic and lockdowns, have thrown at our hospitality industry, I believe they will be there for this and many more. Even before living in Ponsonby, I visited the food court regularly. Whether it’s for a relaxed family catch up or for an easy cheap meal with a friend, I’ve always left happy and satisfied. It’s particularly easy with groups; for those of us who have fussy friends or for the indecisive people in our lives there’s no need for the group to settle on one cuisine or have to annoyingly haggle over the bill! Over time I have made my way around most of the shops (yes, they do call them that) and what they have to offer. Serving a variety of Asian cuisines as well as Italian and MiddleEastern, each and every separate business has something plant-based on their menus.
being seen in Central Auckland, they are instrumental in this movement to a mainstream customer base. Other shops - Dami Sushi, The Roti Shop, Papa’s Kebabs, Zap Lai, Golden Express and Favore - offer some of my other favourites. Dami Sushi’s tofu bento, Zap Lai’s coconut curries and The Roti Shop’s chickpea masala are some of my other recommended dishes, to name just a few. My Ponsonby Food Court experience inevitably means heading straight downstairs after the meal to the Ponsonby Pool Hall just below. I’ve made many memories teaching friends and challenging my grandfather to a cheeky game. The combination of the two for a casual night out is a favourite of mine and something I look forward to continuing for many years to come. (SOFIA ROGER WILLIAMS) PN
My go-to is almost always the Bun Chay from Mekong Vietnamese. It’s a vermicelli noodle salad with a vegetarian ‘meat’ which is pleasantly somewhat realistic to what I remember meat to be like. The vegan version of the Bun Ga, a lemon chicken noodle salad is so good it’s “world famous” apparently. Share some vegetarian spring rolls and you’ve got yourself a killer meal with a side of crispy goodness that tops it off. It’s light, fresh and encapsulates feelings of summer - so much so, that I have difficulty moving on to try something else. However when I do feel like something different, Kampung Malaysia and Ruk Thai are perfect for a vegan. Chef Vut’s vegan menu at Kampung Malaysia provides a large variety of Nasi Goreng, noodles and stir fried dishes and you can’t beat Ruk Thai’s crowd favourite - Pad Thai. Both are very accommodating in that they offer and actively promote separate vegan/vegetarian menus. And, with the growing interest and adopting of plant-based diets, particularly PONSONBY INTERNATIONAL FOODCOURT, 106 Ponsonby Road, www.ponsonbyfoodcourt.co.nz
52 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY
ST PIERRE’S RELOCATES To larger premises in Three Lamps offering Bento Bowl meals & the K10 Sushi Train Tell us the back story of St Pierre’s - when did the business start and where?
The business started in 1979 in Cuba St, Wellington. But it wasn’t first known as selling sushi. It was called “The Fish Factory” and specialised in fish; fresh & fried. Long story short, after a few attempts of staying within the ‘seafood’ department for business, in 1994 the first sushi bar was opened by St Pierre's in 277 Newmarket; with only six flavours. How many outlets do you now have? Any overseas?
We currently have 70 stores across New Zealand only, which includes Bento Bowl and our K10 Sushi Trains, and the newest kid on the block “drive-thru!” How does the sushi train work?
Customers are seated by a moving conveyer belt that carries a range of sushi on different coloured plates. When a customer sees a dish they want they are able to remove it from the belt and enjoy it. They are able to get as many as they want and the different coloured plates help indicate the pricing. Everyone has their own favourites but what are the dishes ordered the most - including one vegan/ vegetarian or gluten-free option?
K10 is next level sushi in terms of choices and variety. Of course safe flavours like salmon and chicken are plentiful in various forms; cooking styles, presentation and sauce garnishes. Often popular are the torched sushi (Aburi). But K10 also has a “weird and wonderful” selection of popular shellfish, fish and crustaceans that have made sushi trains (called Kaiten Sushi in Japan- hence the abbreviated name K10). You’ll find a variety of different prawns, eel (unagi), anago (sea eel), soft shell crab, kina (uni) kingfish, tuna and the seasonal opulent ikura (salmon roe). These weird and wonderful sushi are often “a bit scary” for first-time customers at K10 but once tried, they are “hooked” and customers keep coming back for more. We also have a special vegetarian option of a poke salad bowl that is loved and that features Sunfed chicken-free chicken served with broccoli and fried tofu. Most sushi is gluten-free as long as they are not crumbed and deep-fried flavours. The great thing is you can order a la carte. You don’t only have to choose from the conveyor's selections. The soya sauce used by St Pierre's has no detectable gluten (the gluten disappears during the natural fermentation process). If there are any special dietary needs from customers the friendly staff are always willing to help. We love your new store in Three Lamps. But we noticed there were some changes of location in Ponsonby over the past couple of years. Can you tell us more about the strategy?
The original Ponsonby St Pierre’s store was part of the old Ponsonby butchery which had been in the location for decades. After the butchery closed down it was leased by NZ Post which used the rear access (from Pompallier Tce) for customer access to private post boxes situated in the rear of the butchery space. The front part on Ponsonby Rd was vacant so St Pierre's decided to sublease the space from NZ Post. It was quite a small space, but the store was really cute and customers loved it. Local iconic artist John Papas was commissioned to create ceramic artworks which were scattered attractively across the walls. The store was busy with locals, school and college students, staff of stores, as well as a few celebrities from Media Works located nearby. The store was even visited by Justin Bieber on his trip to NZ in 2015.
54 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
After 8 solid years, the lease expired and NZ Post wished to take back the space. This meant St Pierre's would have to vacate and find a new space. NZ Post moved out of the large premise next door to consolidate into the St Pierre's space. Not wanting to disappoint its loyal and regular customers St Pierre's decided to immediately create a pop-up store about 50 metres away, opposite Gusto. At the same time, we looked for a new permanent location in Three lamps. “We love Three lamps,” said Nick Katsoulis, co-director of St Pierre's. “We want to be a part of this area of Ponsonby, which has been neglected somewhat but still has so much potential. We know there is lots of vibrancy on the other side of Ponsonby Rd, but this part is close to our hearts and we want to see it continue to flourish.” The only space that seemed suitable for a permanent new store was the original post office that had been recently vacated at 314 Ponsonby rd. It was far too big for St Pierre's. However, after the recent opening of the Westfield shopping centre in Newmarket, St Pierre's had opened its first sushi train under the “K10” brand. The success of this new venture gave confidence that Ponsonby could be a great choice for a second K10 Sushi Train. This would be possible in the larger space and integrate well for the demand for late-night dining in Ponsonby Rd. The store has proven to be a hit with families especially enjoying the casual yet elegant atmosphere of the K10 Sushi Train. It can get very noisy at times as children can overreact to the excitement of the sushi train. So far K10 has proven popular for birthday parties of all ages at it can cater for groups from 6-12 in size. We see being community-minded is important to you with your Daffodil Day support. What other charities do you like to support?
St Pierre's has been a proud Gold sponsor of the Weetbix TRYathlon for the past few years. As a major sponsor, we support by providing free lunch to all volunteers who work tirelessly on the setup day or main event day in their local area. Being a nationwide event, it requires a huge team effort from the St Pierre's branches all over New Zealand. As you’ve mentioned, St Pierre's also has an annual fundraiser appeal for the Cancer Society with Daffodil Day. St Pierre's donates $2 from every cup of miso soup sold on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Daffodil Day weekend. At a very local level schools, charities, and individuals raising funds for various reasons also approach St Pierre's requesting vouchers or food for their fundraising events. “We do our absolute best to support all our local schools, clubs and causes,“ said Director Nick Katsoulis. “It’s an important part of our company values. “We’d also like to support other charities such as The Mental Health Foundation. The pandemic has been hard on everyone. People have lost loved ones, lost income and may have become more isolated due to the many lockdowns we have had to go through. Working with The Mental Health Foundation would be an honour to work with as we know the importance of taking care of others as we have such a large team and loyal customers to look after.“ www.stpierres.co.nz www.k10sushi.com
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
SUSHI TRAIN + BAR
HAPPY HOURS Mon - Wed: 4:00pm - 6:00pm Thu - Sat: 7:45pm - 8:30pm Buy 8 plates, get 2 plates free!
OPEN 7 DAYS Mon-Wed 4pm - 9pm, Thu-Sun 11am - 9pm 314 Ponsonby Rd (Behind St Pierre’s Sushi) Free Parking from 6pm | Bookings Ph 282 3265
FUTURE GENERATION
HONOUR MITCHELL:
TEEN PICKS - WAIHEKE, THE PERFECT MINI BREAK A Waiheke trip has always been on my bucket list. Living only an hour ferry ride away, it surprised me that I have never been to check out the island before now. So Mum and I decided to embark on a much needed "girls trip" to Waiheke in order to see what everyone is raving about. We set off early in the morning on the ridiculously convenient car ferry (located on Hamer St, barely five mins drive from Ponsonby) and waved goodbye to what had become sameold, same-old Auckland. As soon as the ferry docked, we went full speed ahead to the Saturday morning market in Ostend (right next to Countdown). What I noticed first was an abundance of second-hand books, which is always a giant plus for me. Other gems included: strategically-placed recycle clothing racks, dainty jewellery stores capturing large audiences, and an impressive crystal selection which drew my sister in like a magnet. After a couple of circuits browsing, hunger distracted me and I got my hands on a Hungarian puffed-bread loaded with homemade pesto, tomatoes and feta (kind of like a cross between a sandwich and a pizza). As you can imagine it was absolutely delicious. What’s more it gave me the energy boost I needed to continue exploring the island, before checking into our accommodation. For a first-timer, a drive around the island is a good way to start. Although Waiheke is small, the settlements are spread out to make the most of all the beaches. Each area has its own special charm. Despite taking a car, it really isn’t essential as there is an excellent bus network that meets the ferry and travels around the the island with astonishing frequency. While Oneroa is the commercial hub it still feels like a quaint village. Our Airbnb was a stone’s throw away from Oneroa - in Little Oneroa - making it extremely convenient, but at the same time more secluded and peaceful than if we were in the main town. After admiring the stunning view from our deck and a spot of unpacking, we headed straight for Little Oneroa beach. On a sweltering 30 degree afternoon this sojourn was the ideal antidote. It was quiet with a laid back vibe as more people seemed to be attracted to the main Oneroa beach, instead of the little, sweet one. Honestly, I preferred having the cute, peaceful beach. It was a great place to swim with the perfect water temperature due to the petite, sheltered cove. We also checked out Onetangi beach, which was idyllic, long and expansive but more breezy with a slightly cooler water temperature than Little Oneroa. Palm Beach is also appealing - but unfortunately it was a little cloudy when we arrived so I feel we didn’t see this piece of paradise at its best. Overall, we decided that Little Oneroa was our winning spot. We cherished it so much that on our last morning we trekked down a bush track to go for a dawn-breaking swim to enhance the memories we had made over the weekend. Absolutely no one else was there. It sure was a tranquil way to say farewell!
Food
There are so many places to eat on Waiheke and we certainly admired many captivating menus, but with the spectacular view from our rental we decided to opt for takeaways and easy meal options purchased from our newly-discovered Island Grocer. We constructed many delicious platters and thoroughly enjoyed take-out from Dragonfired (pizza and an organic polenta/black bean bowl) and Little Oneroa Takeaways (Fish&Chips) all while drinking in the mesmerising view.
Shopping
Oneroa has an eclectic array of shops. We checked out multiple surf shops, a designer recycle boutique down a little lane, and another boutique boasting over 1,000 anklets and loads of pastel flowing skirts (sadly none in my size!). But our favourite was an amazing crystal shop which had exquisite hand-made crochet tops crafted by a girl on the island - plus an intriguing selection of crystals, spiritual books, cards and an in-house tarot reader. Opposite this little marvel was our second favourite: The Island Grocer. Not only did this organic grocer supply an excellent range of fresh and packaged goods, but it had an attached wing with coffee, smoothies, raw slices and very appealing lunch snacks.
56 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
Waiheke surely lives up to its reputation and more. I had a
great first experience, perfect really! I loved the the relaxed island atmosphere as well as the amazing beaches. Two nights was a rejuvenating break - so nipping over to Waiheke for just a weekend is definitely worth it, even in the summer peak, as there still seems to be plenty of space for everyone. (HONOUR MITCHELL) PN
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
FUTURE GENERATION Olivia Stewart and Michelle Buckley
NUMBERWORKS’NWORDS Specialises in providing individualised maths and English tuition. NumberWorks’nWords have opened a brand new centre at 316 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn. Owned and managed by experienced NumberWorks’nWords franchisees, Michelle Buckley and Olivia Stewart. NumberWorks’nWords Grey Lynn specialises in providing individualised maths and English tuition to children ages 5 - 16. Returning to the classroom after the disruption to schooling caused by Covid-19 can be a challenge for students due to missed learning opportunities. Catching up and closing gaps is more important than ever after the interruptions to schooling that students have faced during lockdowns. Now is the time for students to get back on track with their learning! NumberWorks’nWords offer free assessments in maths and English which identify gaps and weaknesses. With this information, in conjunction with the parents and child, the team develops a personalised learning programme to meet each child’s learning needs. The in-centre tuition is customised to each child, and delivered by trained tutors who are experts in their subjects. Tutoring with NumberWorks’nWords Grey Lynn improves school results and boosts confidence through a personalised approach to tuition which caters to students of all abilities and complements the work that students do at school. NumberWorks’nWords tuition is computer-based, using bespoke tutoring software. Traditional learning methods are also incorporated into teaching practices. Maths and English tutoring with NumberWorks’nWords is beneficial for students who need extra support or are falling behind at school, and those students who require extension work that challenges them. If you are interested in learning more about where your child is at with their learning, contact NumberWorks’nWords Grey Lynn, and book a free assessment today. NumberWorks’nWords, 316 Richmond Road, T: 09 360 0816, www.numberworksnwords.com/nz
PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
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FUTURE GENERATION
STRETCHING GIRLS’ MINDS AT ST CUTHBERT’S St Cuthbert’s Junior School’s innovative ‘Stretch’ programme stretches the mind and gives girls a great foundation in STEAM subjects (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics). As a result, students receive a hands-on, engaging education from passionate and committed teachers, to fully equip them for the future. At St Cuthbert’s Junior School, learning is fun and interactive. St Cuthbert’s Stretch programme empowers girls to question, learn, and grow together. Girls across Years 0 - 6 all experience science, technology, engineering, dance, drama, coding, robotics, languages and visual arts. The programme is designed by our experienced junior and senior teachers, resulting in an increased depth of knowledge from an early age. Every Wednesday afternoon, teachers and students alike look forward to the inspiration each Stretch session brings, creating and exploring concepts together.
St Cuthbert’s Junior School teachers say it’s incredibly special seeing the girls’ confidence grow. “This amazing programme helps uncover special and new talents, while stretching our students’ minds. It offers our girls another learning experience, enabling all our students to thrive and find their unique strengths.” The classes are hands-on, creative and full of wonder. Many girls demonstrate natural talents for particular subjects gravitating to these, and teachers nurture their talents and interests so they can be further explored in Senior School. For more information on St Cuthbert’s Junior School, and the innovative Stretch programme please visit stcuthberts.school.nz/juniorschool
The girls collaborate on a common project and are encouraged to solve problems and to think differently, challenging themselves and one another, all while having fun. This experiential learning and teamwork fosters curiosity, perseverance, and resilience as well as leadership. Girls can explore a range of STEAM concepts and learn through their successes, as well as when things don’t quite go to plan.
To see St Cuthbert’s Junior School in action please join us at our upcoming Open Day from 10.00am – 12.00pm, Saturday 12 March. Register at stcuthberts.school.nz/openday
ST CUTHBERT’S, Year 0 – 13, 122 Market Road, Epsom T: 09 520 4159, www.stcuthberts.school.nz
58 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
Amazing discoveries Open Day Saturday 12 March
Register: stcuthberts.school.nz
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FUTURE GENERATION
I Love Lucy Book Review: People Like Us - Dana Mele - 14+
“Resilient is the wrong word for someone who attracts tragedy like a magnet but survives to watch her loved ones die.” Kay Donovan has a hard past, but she has put it behind her and now she is a different person. She is a star soccer player, popular with beautiful friends and she attends a prestigious private school - Bates Academy. Then on the night of an important school dance, a girl's body is found in a lake, by none other than Kay and her friends. Suddenly it seems like everything Kay has worked so hard to construct is falling apart. Kay discovers that the dead girl has left her a scavenger hunt via a self coded website, threatening to push Kay off her pedestal, taking her friends and her future with her. The site clues many suspects for the murder of the girl in the lake, all of which are close to Kay. How can she know who to trust? Kay is totally prepared to do what it takes to keep herself, her scholarship and her carefully planned out future safe. I read this well written suspense novel in two days because I couldn’t put it down. This is the kind of book that will send shivers up your spine and keep you hanging on its words. The whole idea of this book is, in my opinion, genius. I kept going back to it after I finished it, and continued to think about the plot line and characters for weeks after I turned the last page. Bates Academy honestly sounds like an amazing school with beautiful buildings, friendly people and cool dorm rooms - I would love to go there - minus the homicide. I would recommend this book to people who like young adult fiction, private school dramas, menacing undertones, blackmail, descriptive writing and, of course, murder mysteries. There are obviously descriptions of death in this book, so if you are squeamish this may not be the book for you. (LUCY KENNEDY) PN www.lucykennedywriter.wixsite.com/reviews instagram @lucykennedybookreviews
out of 5!
LET PONSONBY NEWS READERS KNOW ABOUT YOUR BRAND… ADVERTISING RATES START AT $235+GST Email info@ponsonbynews.co.nz www.ponsonbynews.co.nz
60 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
FUTURE GENERATION
STROLLING IN STYLE WITH SILVER CROSS Ponsonby’s newest baby retailer has arrived, offering innovation and style to parents and parents to be. There is nothing that conjures up an image of royalty quite like a Silver Cross pram. One of the oldest nursery companies in the world, Silver Cross is a quintessentially English brand that has been making buggies since 1877. If you stroll past Silver Cross’s newest retail store on Pompallier Terrace you will find one of the world’s most exclusive baby pushchairs - known as the “Rolls-Royce of prams” displayed for all to admire and appreciate the hand crafted perfection. The Silver Cross story started in 1877 when William Wilson wheeled out the world’s first coach built ‘baby carriage’ from his Yorkshire workshop in Leeds, introducing a unique idea that would change parenting forever. This leading British nursery brand has much to celebrate with it’s first ever New Zealand store opening, and recently celebrating their 140 year anniversary, marking a significant contribution to the baby care market, spanning across three centuries. The luxury pram is quite popular in the UK. In fact, the royal family have been patrons of it for decades - from King George VI to today's Duchess of Cambridge. Generations of parents have given their children the best start in life with prams, pushchairs, car seats, nursery furniture, and bedding bearing the trusted Silver Cross name. More than ten million babies have enjoyed their first views of the world from the comfort and safety of a Silver Cross pram. Loved by royalty, celebrities, and families worldwide, the brand is firmly established as a household name due to its commitment to meeting the changing needs of modern parents. The recently opened Ponsonby Store range includes prams, travel systems, strollers, nursery furniture and car seats.
Visit the team at Silver Cross Ponsonby to see the range or visit them online.
1 Pompallier Terrace, T: 021 859 344 www.silvercross.co.nz PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
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PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS
GET HELP FROM CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU Sometimes you just can’t find what it is you are looking for, whether it is a firm to clean your gutters, a night class you would like to take, or maybe it is finding out who can help you advocate with a dispute with a government department or a utilities firm - or how to get your vaccine passport. Whether you are computer savvy or not, can operate a smart phone or not, CAB can help you. Over the last six months, we have kept up our service across the country with an 0800 number - 0800 367 222. Now as we negotiate the traffic light system, we are working towards opening up face to face at Grey Lynn Ponsonby branch with some restrictions as with many services to keep you and our staff safe. In the meantime, please do call our branch phone number 09 376 0392 – or the 0800 number, or email us on ponsonby@cab.org.nz. And for our older clients we really can help you find the activity or interest that you are looking. Our community database has links to a vast array of them and our information officer regularly ensures that these are up to date listings. If you are on the web have a go yourself - type in “older persons” in the community directory (filter it by location) and up come lots of listings – for example: • Salvation Army Senior Services Programme • Seniors Dance • Grandfriends NZ • The Shanti Niwas Seniors Centre • Tennis Seniors In our website when you click on the item, it then tells you information about it and how and who to make contact with. If you don't have the internet, ring us or, depending on the traffic light situation, come in and see us. Of course, we are much more than an information-sharing site. Our volunteers are trained to assist you find options for all sorts of issues you might have. This last financial year, and I quote from the CAB Auckland City General Manager’s report: “Demand for food parcels became the most common enquiry type in the 2020-21 year. We continued to help people with employment, housing and relationship issues, and during lockdowns these client concerns were often impacted by the Covid-19 Pandemic as well.”
A key benefit of CAB in my view, having worked in the service now for more than six years, is that we are not constrained by time; our volunteers can and will take all the time you need. And you can call back the next day with more questions if you need to follow up. It is a free and confidential service, and most importantly, we do not judge. We work with the information you give us and help you find the way forward for yourself. I find too, that most people have the capacity for that, but sometimes talking it through with our volunteers, who are not in any rush, assists with giving clients the confidence to act. Our service is available to people of all ages and stages and the demographics show that in Auckland we see people of all ages – and our volunteers also reflect the same variation. But we know that in today’s society, government agencies and the private sector are under severe resource pressures. Barriers such as requiring online logins and long waits to speak with a real person can be frustrating and off-putting for some. So for our older clients (and anyone who finds this an issue) we take the time to help them find what they want and need. Mā te tuakana te teina e tōtika, Mā te teina te tuakana e tōtika. The older will lead the younger and the younger will lead the older.) PN
LESLEY BRADLEY, Manager of Citizens Advice Bureau, 510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn. T: 09 376 0392, E: ponsonby@cab.org.nz Your FIRST
CALL for a wide range of free,
up to date and confidential information about:
• • • • •
Consumer rights Budgeting Legal clinics Employment rights Justice of the Peace
• • • • •
Health & welfare issues House & tenancy issues Unemployment problems Education & training Personal & family issues
• Immigration needs • Local & general information • Photocopying & faxing
Citizens Advice Bureau
0800 FOR CAB or 09 376 0392 510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn www.cab.org.nz
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS
MARK DAVIES:
Brightline tax rules and fairness We are bombarded with value judgments concerning “fairness”. More and more we hear about this ‘fairness’ in our tax system (although generally we hear about how unfair the tax rules are). I’m not sure we can really expect ‘fairness’ from a tax system - fairness is not an absolute and everyone’s idea of what is fair is different, so it seems unlikely we will ever get agreement on a ‘fair’ tax system. However I do think we should expect transparency and honesty from the government we elect, around tax rules, how they work and what they are and are not designed to do. In my opinion there is no better example of government dishonesty around our tax rules than in the area of the tax brightline rules. We were told these rules were designed to “ensure that those who buy residential property with the intention of selling for capital gain… pay their fair share of tax”. When initially introduced the brightline rules potentially applied where residential land was acquired and then disposed of within a two year period (the ‘brightline period’). The rules were not perfect – it was quite clear from the outset that transactions involving residential land which were clearly not speculation would be caught. Some simple examples: · Mum and Dad acquire a property together with their son or daughter as a way of helping the son or daughter get their first home. A sale of some or all of the home (even if to a family member) within two years that would be taxable; · Mum and Dad have an investment property in their personal name. They have owned it for many years and intend the rent from it to supplement their national superannuation when they retire. They are advised that for asset protection reasons they should transfer some of their more valuable assets to their existing Trust. If they did this, and the Trust then disposed of the property within two years of acquiring it, the Trust would have been taxable on any gain it makes on the sale; · Mum and Dad buy Gran a small flat so that the family can be near Gran and be close at hand to keep an eye on her and help her out if necessary. If Mum and Dad sold the flat within two years of buying it (Gran took ill and needed to be moved to a care facility), the sale by Mum and Dad would be taxable. Although there were ‘imperfections’ in the rules leading to situations like those outlined above, the saving grace was that unless the acquisition and disposal of the property occurred within the relatively short period of two years the rules would not apply.
Logan Granger, Ponsonby Office
Notwithstanding this, the rules should never have applied to situations like these where there is nothing resembling the ‘intention of selling for capital gain’ which the rules were supposedly designed to target, and they should never have applied to transfers within the ‘family group’, such as from parents to children, from individuals to family trusts, from a family company to its 100% shareholder, etc. Last year the brightline period was extended to ten years. This merely exacerbated the situation where the rules apply to instances where there is no intention of selling for capital gain, since as the last few years has shown us, a great deal can change over a three year period let alone a ten year period. At the very least one would have thought that while extending the brightline period, significant effort would be undertaken to modify the rules to attempt to ensure they no longer catch situations in which any intention of capital gain is insignificant or absent. However while there has been a limited addressing of these problems, the amendments made to the rules (a) do not apply retrospectively so do not fix the ‘wrongs’ already done, and (b) merely note the possibility that remaining problems with the rules might be dealt with in the future. This is not good enough. These tax rules significantly overreach their original stated intention, and many individuals are being caught by the rules when it was never the intention that those situations should result in a tax cost. It’s simply not honest for the government to pass these rules off as a tax on property speculation when many simple and largely altruistic family situations are resulting in unintended tax costs arising. (MARK DAVIES, Director of Tax for JACAL South) PN Disclaimer – While all care has been taken, 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.
JOHNSTON ASSOCIATES, 202 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 361 6701, www.jacal.co.nz
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HOME WHERE THE HEART IS
LAHOOD AND LUXAFLEX THE PERFECT COMBINATION TO BEAT THE SUN AND REDUCE THE HEAT IN YOUR HOME It doesn’t get much better than a Kiwi summer, and we are having a hot one this year. With more time spent at home during the holiday season and the sun stronger than ever, you need window coverings that go above and beyond standard shading to both enhance your home and your lifestyle.
combination of functionality, durability and practicality in a window covering. They provide light and heat control, and a contemporary look that is just as at home in modern builds as they are in traditional villas.
For most, windows, glazing and house layout, are effectively set in stone – though it is good to understand how your home's orientation impacts light in different facing rooms. In contrast, shading and internal window coverings are simple to execute and often negate the other variables. Lahood is the only Luxaflex Gallery partner in Auckland, supplying and showcasing an extended Luxaflex product range which is sure to inspire. From roller blinds to venetians, shutters to sunscreens, there is a shade solution for every window type, every home or apartment. Roller blinds, a designer window covering staple, make a statement in your living rooms and bedrooms. Luxaflex® Roller Blinds' slim and contemporary profile and design versatility makes them a perfect choice for any interior. From screening the sun and filtering the light to creating darkness, they allow you to unify your home with one window covering style while giving every room the individual attention and treatment it deserves. And with a recent fabric range extension, there are now even more contemporary and on-trend colours to pick from.
Duette shades hold their own in any climate.
Great for larger windows, and in the apartment, simple and stylish, Luxaflex® Aluminium Venetian Blinds provide a timeless design to suit most interior styles. With a range of profiles and colours, you will be amazed at the protection they offer and the ease of use, particularly if you add automation.
Perfect for any room, Luxaflex® Duette Shades keep out the sun and heat during the long hot summer days. The pockets of air in Duette Shades' honeycomb structure traps and blocks incoming heat, keeping the home cooler inside, helping to keep you and your family comfortable. From room temperature regulation and UV protection to child-safety and automated solutions, Duette Shades offer something for everyone and their homes this summer.
For something a bit sophisticated, Luxaflex® Timber Shutters and Australian made PolySatin® Shutters are a beautiful
From inspiration to installation, Lahood Window Furnishings do it all.
Venetians and shutters effortlessly control light and shade, ventilation, and privacy.
Visit the stunning Lahood showroom at 104 Mt Eden Road, or phone 0800 LAHOOD to book an in-home design consultation. www.lahood.co.nz
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
WHEN QUALITY MATTERS
GO WITH YOUR TRUSTED LOCAL
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HOME WHERE THE HEART IS
LOCALS TRANSFORM THEIR FRONT GARDEN IN GREY LYNN Last year local resident John Kirman and his family transformed their front garden on Williamson Avenue into a space where they grow herbs and vegetables, along with a few flowers to add a bit of colour. As John explained, "It’s quite unusual to have the garden on the front like this but we really love it and we get inundated with compliments from people walking by who have watched it flourish over the last 12 months. "I aim to give people some inspiration to get out in the garden and grow your own food. Dig up some of the lawn and make it productive."
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
HOME WHERE THE HEART IS
REFINED LIVING - THE NEXT CHAPTER Refined Living is the new brand name for beloved design store JI Home. The team start 2022 not only with a new brand name but also an impressive new showroom at The Strand in Parnell. “The same people, same company, same amazing furniture brands – just with a fresh look and an incredible new showroom,” says Tracey Johnston, owner of Refined Living.
It's an exciting time for the Refined Living team and all those who love their timeless, high quality design aesthetic. Visit the new showroom now.
The new Auckland showroom offers a larger more spacious showroom space at 59-61 The Strand, Parnell.
REFINED LIVING, 59-61 The Strand Parnell, T: 09 930 6268, www.refinedliving.nz
Malaga Armchair Classic Grey
Malaga Sofa - Classic Grey
Orlando Lounger Classic Grey
REFINED LIVING by JI Home
JI HOME ARE NOW REFINED LIVING V I S I T O U R N E W S H O W R O O M AT T H E S T R A N D, PA R N E L L ! refinedliving.nz
09 930 6268
59 - 61 The Strand, Parnell
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HOME WHERE THE HEART IS
@ MELUKA Meluka – PLAY, LAUGH, STYLE – Style your Meluka room with our new must have homewares. From Books, Toys, Lego Storage Bricks, stools and occasional chairs. Our NEW LEGO Brick Drawer is a bedroom must have, perfect for extra storage of toys, bibs, blankets. Sit me on a desk, shelf or floor. Or stack me high to make a bedside. Decorate, play, form and have fun with the drawers while using them for storage. Shop the full range online now www.meluka.co.nz/collections/homewares
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68 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
HOME WHERE THE HEART IS
BE COMFORTABLE AT HOME Now more than ever, some of us are spending more time at home than before. In such changing times the opportunity to rest, relax and restore health and equilibrium holds a more vital place in how we manage our lives. Fundamental to this process is how we sleep. Finding a perfect sleep position is one of the best things you can experience; it allows you to not only feel more relaxed but to fall asleep faster and have a more rejuvenating sleep. When the spine is positioned at zero gravity, full body muscle tension is relieved and circulation improved. This can also assist your breathing as you sleep and allow you to find the perfect position for sleeping, relaxing or checking your email. Not only comfortable to sleep on, the world renowned Tempur mattress gently conforms to the shape of your body, offering a perfect balance of total comfort and superior support. If you are struggling to get a good night’s sleep a Tempur bed may be the perfect solution. They provide outstanding comfort and support for a feeling of instant relaxation. They come in a range of sizes and comfort options to suit individual needs. During February the team at Bedpost Newmarket are emphasizing the health benefits of a truly comfortable and supportive sleep environment. Talk with our specialists now about your needs and help them find a dedicated solution for you. BEDPOST NEWMARKET, 27 Crowhurst Street, Newmarket, T: 09 520-2221, e: newmarket@bedpost.co.nz
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HOME WHERE THE HEART IS
NEW WESTMERE TOWNHOUSE HOMES OFFERED EXCLUSIVELY TO REAL ESTATE AGENT’S DATABASE Real estate is all about who you know… and what they in turn know about the market – particularly when it comes to real estate salespeople and their listings at a time when demand for new homes continues at an all-time high. A showcase example of this has just come onto the market through Bayleys Ponsonby salesperson Blair Haddow, who has a client with a premium new-build residential offering in Westmere. Eight town homes soon to be under construction in Westmere are being offered for sale – with the opportunity being exclusively promoted at this stage among Blair’s extensive and pre-qualified database of buyers, many of whom have been unsuccessful under-bidders at previous auctions and are seeking solutions to being ahead of the competition in the market when it comes to securing their next residence. The stylish two and three-bedroom homes within the Westmere address have basement car-parking, private courtyard gardens, and access to a landscaped central garden area. Prices for the eight terraced homes range from $2million - $3million each depending on size, configuration, and location within the enclave. Blair Haddow said what while the eight homes were currently being marketed to his database, anyone not already on the private communication channel could simply drop him an email to be included in updates on the offering. “The vendor may well look at taking the offering public at some stage in the future, however, those buyers receiving the heads-up now have the proverbial ‘first bite at the cookie’ and will have the pick of the crop,” said Blair. “With completion of the Westmere development some way off, buying now not only gives purchasers peace of mind for the next move, but also plenty of choice with the sale and marketing of their existing home if required. They could either sell now and rent, or sell when completion at Westmere is pending – allowing for a simple moving process.” The Westmere complex is part of a busy start to the 2022 calendar year for Blair Haddow, who simultaneously has
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three new listings coming to the market fresh in 2022 - all coming up for auction in the coming weeks, featuring… 31 O’Neill Street in Ponsonby – a modernised five-bedroom/ two-bathroom, villa, with two lounges over two levels, including a kitchenette downstairs. With impressive views toward the Waitakere Ranges in the west and a private courtyard opening onto Tole Pork, the home has off-street parking for four vehicles. 3 Ryle Street in Freemans Bay – beautifully presented threebedroom/two-bathroom/two lounge villa. The home’s master bedroom has its own ensuite and walk-in wardrobe, while the open-plan kitchen/dining/living room opens onto a private courtyard. There is garage parking for one car, and additional off-street parking for another two vehicles. 3/9 Savage Street in Westmere – a modernised threebedroom/1.5 -bathroom cottage with an open-plan kitchen/ dining/living room space leading out to a lovely deck area and patio. The dwelling also has a separate sleepout space and comes with off-street parking for two vehicles. The home also has a separate powder room. “The vibe I’m getting from vendors and buyers I’m talking to is that the sensational summer weather period we’ve all enjoyed over the New Year holiday break has well and truly recharged people’s batteries, and they are coming back invigorated and highly motivated,” said Blair. “Last year was emotionally-draining for many people, so the fine settled weather has been the perfect tonic for getting people balanced again. “That sentiment is definitely flowing through to the real estate market around Ponsonby, Herne Bay, Grey Lynn and Westmere and we’ve got off to a fast start to the year,” Blair added. www.facebook.com/BlairHaddowResidential
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ARTS + CULTURE Ahsin Ahsin at Oddly
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ARTS + CULTURE
UPTOWN ART SCENE The vitality of the visual arts community can be measured in the quantity of its Artist Run Spaces (ARS). While we think of public and private art galleries as where art resides, a better indicator of the continuing health of the visual arts ecology are the Artist Run Spaces. These provide recent graduates and emerging artists with space for production and conversation through studio space, collegial idea sharing, and exhibition opportunities. ARS offer the fecund ground for artists to grow, and they establish a place in the community for an often solitary occupation. Tamaki Makaurau Auckland can be proud that this month the country’s longest-running ARS Artspace (292 Karangahape Road) celebrates 35 years of showcasing fresh dialogues from new artists. Its Cruel Optimism: New Artists exhibition explores the pluralism inherent when “something you desire is actually an obstacle to your flourishing”. Catch it before it finishes 19 February. I was overjoyed to hear that a new ARS had set up just down the road from my own Akepiro Street Studios, as this points to a determined positivism by art makers in our unclear times.
Jasmine Tuia at Oddly
Oddly (216 Dominion Road) opened to a crush of people on 20 January, with an exhibition of nine artists, mostly recent graduates along with a more established name or two. Having recently graduated from Whitecliffe, Lexi Kerr has taken over the site formerly occupied by ARS Satchi and Satchi and Satchi, and formed Oddly to provide studio space for six artists and a gallery viewable through a large streetfront window. “I love the conversations that come out of interacting with other artists and their work, and it’s very rewarding to be able to offer a space for these kinds of connections” says Lexi. “The plan is to have new shows in the gallery area roughly every month, dependent on both artist commitments and Covid restrictions”. This month, Oddly has well-known artist Peter Lange’s show, Brick. Peter has spent many years on Dominion Road and is excited by a “Dominion Road Reunion” – he once lived and created art just across the road from Oddly. Young artists showing the way with resilience and creativity – what a good start to the year! (EVAN WOODRUFFE, Studio Art Supplies) www.studioart.co.nz
Molly Timmins at Oddly
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ARTS + CULTURE
17-19yrs Class with Michael Hurst
INSPIRING YOUNG IMAGINATIONS THROUGH DRAMA Tim Bray Youth Theatre is thrilled to be back in the studio for Term 1 drama classes the week of 8 February at TAPAC, after many months on Zoom! Classes are also offered on the North Shore. These weekly classes for ages 5-19 encourage selfconfidence and self-expression where students can explore their imaginations, express their creativity while learning fundamental acting techniques.
In six months they have taught our anxious and reclusive boy that he has a voice worth hearing, can have friends, and most of all has value in this world which we have struggled to achieve in the previous 11 years. Karen A., parent.
Their senior 17-19 years Performance Class at TAPAC is ideal for young actors who need a place to learn and to perform, who are passionate about theatre and all it involves.
For more information: timbray.org.nz/youth-theatre
Time flies when you are having fun! - Zoe, student. Students who have attended this class and who choose to continue their performing arts studies at tertiary level may apply for the Mary Amoore Gift a Seat™ Scholarship established by Tim Bray in 2021. Extraordinarily Creative are drama classes for children and teenagers with autism and other neuro-diversities to find their own voice and place on the North Shore and now in Glen Innes.
TIM BRAY
YOUTH THEATRE Western Springs, Takapuna, Browns Bay 5 – 19 years Our tutors fire young imaginations and ignite the creative minds of tomorrow.
Weekly
DRAMA
Glen Innes and North Shore 5 – 16yrs For autistic and neuro-diverse youth to find their own voice and place
www.timbray.org.nz 09-486-2261
The Covert Theatre in Mackelvie Street, Ponsonby is NZ’s home of improvised comedy. With workshops and shows every night of the week there is something for everyone. Be sure to check out www.coverttheatre.com
You can support all the good giggle’s by donation right here, www.coverttheatre.com/how-to-help Registered charity CC53421
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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
ARTS + CULTURE
SEFTON RANI – INDUSTRIAL PLANTATIONS @ SCOTT LAWRIE GALLERY Sefton Rani had a stellar year in 2021, with no less than nine shows - four solo and five group, in Auckland, Morrinsville and Christchurch. So, we’re very excited to kick off the new calendar year at the Grey Lynn gallery with a solo show entitled, ‘Industrial Plantations’. When I first visited Sefton’s Piha studio, I was struck by both his energy, passion, and relentless curiosity. Sefton draws on many influences for his work; a mash up of post-punk in-your-face formalism meets ‘industrial tapa’ (a phrase he coined himself!). What’s so fascinating in Sefton’s practice is that most of the works in his solo show are made entirely from paint skins; layer upon layer of industrial paints that end up being a centimetre thick in places. Sefton’s father, Mii, worked in a paint factory in West Auckland; a migrant worker from Kūki ‘Āirani/Cook Islands who came to New Zealand. It’s a lovely choice of material for these emotive reasons, but it’s also highly original and creates some extraordinarily complex visual attributes. The yellow oil drum work featured here is called ‘Manual Labour (5% Mexican)’ 2021, part of Sefton’s continual exploration of a concept he defines as ‘Industrial Tapa’ (and a quiet nod to his Great Grandfather who was Mexican). In this case, it’s a paint skin, cast from the exterior of a 44-Gallon drum.
Path of Illumination
I like to think of it as a petrified painting, or better still, a sculpture of an empty vessel. It nods to migrant labour, hard graft and messy materials. The colour suggesting a glowing medal of honour for the practical over the theoretical, hard work over intangible (and often inaccessible) establishment-art posturing. I believe Sefton is producing some of the most visually fascinating work in New Zealand at the moment – inspired by his deep cultural roots to the Cook Islands while also avoiding tired tropes and contemporary art trends. It is, like all the best art, genuinely unique and curiously hard to place. (It also sells out quickly to collectors, so get in quick!) Sefton’s show opens on Saturday 12 February from 11am-5pm and will run for three weeks. Everyone is welcome to come along and meet the artist. Gallery hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 11am-5pm. SCOTT LAWRIE GALLERY, 2 Murdoch Road, www.scottlawrie.com
Drum
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Jacqui Colley’s Eastbourne studio with Papa I and II, oil on canvas
JACQUI COLLEY @ OREX PONSONBY
8 February - 6 March
After several Covid-related delays, we are delighted to finally be able to present a solo exhibition by Eastbourne based Jacqui Colley, whose paintings and drawings we have long admired. In 2018, Colley won the prestigious Parkin Drawing Prize with a drawing that was – arguably - a painting, and which was described by the judge as ‘progressive, explorative, and extending the boundaries of what drawing can be’. The deep and inextricable connection to drawing is clear in each and every one of the paintings that make up this new collection. The pigment sits lightly on the canvas surface, but its application draws power from unseen depths, managing to be simultaneously earthy and ethereal, spare and lush. Colley’s compositions evolve through time, place and process. When creating these works, she comments: "I was thinking about geographical transformations that take place over millions of years; from the colour of minerals to the shape of a place. The pigments and other materials offer a means of translating the natural world". OREX, 221 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 0588, www.orexart.co.nz E: gallery@orexart.co.nz
lmandine oil on canvas 1400 x 1200mm
76 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
Paritea II oil on canvas 1400 x 1200mm
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
JACQUI COLLEY’S Eastbourne studio with Paritea
JACQUI COLLEY 8 February - 6 March OREXART, 221 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 0588, www.orexart.co.nz
ARTS HOROSCOPES + CULTURE
HOROSCOPES:
MISS PEARL NECLIS – what your stars hold for February
Aquarius (the Water Carrier)
Pisces (the Fishes) 20 February - 20 March Your opinions will get you in a few uncomfortable situations this month so you might want to rein them in a little. Let people know how you feel, but you can be more tactful.
Aries (the Ram)
Taurus (the Bull)
Gemini (the Twins)
21 April - 21 May You’re struggling to keep secrets this month and you might find that you have already said something that’s too late to take back. You may have to make a stand and deal with the fallout.
22 May - 21 June You don’t have to say yes to everything that comes your way because at some point you are going to start having problems. Try sharing the load a little and see what happens.
Cancer (the Crab) 22 June - 22 July Don’t get frustrated because things seem to be taking longer than necessary and plans are not going the way you would like. Manage time better and you’ll be more productive.
Leo (the Lion) 23 July - 21 August You might feel that someone is carefully trying to rattle you this month or wind you up about really nothing at all. Don’t rise to the bait and just concentrate on the path you’re currently walking on.
Virgo (the Virgin) 22 August - 23 September Your self-doubt is always apparent and it’s about time you showed your friends and co workers really what you are made of. You could almost reinvent yourself if you really wanted too.
Libra (the Scales) 24 September - 23 October You are completely at a loss as to why you feel that everyone is being really critical. People are being brutally honest and it’s beginning to have an effect. The feedback you get can make or break you and it’s up to you to decide which way to go.
Scorpio (the Scorpion)
Sagittarius (the Archer) 23 November - 22 December Don’t take things personally as they are not directed at you; you are just exceptionally sensitive this month. You can’t change the past, but you can definitely alter your future.
Capricorn (the Goat) 23 December - 20 January You might want to rein in your spending. You might need to stop being so generous with your emotions too, especially when you don’t get back anything in return from those that you think you should.
21 January - 19 February You’re feeling a bit anxious this month and to compensate you are surrounding yourself as much as you can with friends and family. You’re lucky to have friends who are there when you need them. Treat them well.
24 October - 22 November You don’t have the patience anymore for anyone who can’t keep up with your output and anyone who questions your motives is usually left behind or dropped. You need to communicate what’s behind your motivation for people to understand.
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21 March - 20 April Your enthusiasm is infectious but not everyone has the same energy levels as you do. Try and dial it down a bit and you will find that you’re a lot more inspiring than you thought.
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
First Tuesday on 1 March 2022 at St Matthew-inthe-City features Auckland’s renowned Kotuku Quintet playing Dvořák's sunny Piano Quintet in A, opus 81. This is the first First Tuesday Concert for 2022 and the series kicks off to a fine start with this experienced group of players and their beautiful choice of programme. Composed in 1887, Dvořák's A major quintet is acknowledged as one of the masterpieces of the form. The work is scored for piano, two violins, viola and cello. Dvořák's music is always sunny, tuneful and full of rhythmic vitality and this quintet epitomises these qualities. Performers enjoy playing it as listeners enjoy the quintet's varying moods and optimistic qualities. The April First Tuesday concert will feature John Wells playing the Goldberg Variations on piano by J.S. Bach. This music captures the serenity of the Easter season with the genius of Bach’s original keyboard theme and variations. The concert will run an additional duration to capture the full length of the piece. Nicholas Forbes has recently been appointed Director of Music at St Matthew-in-the-City. Nick’s considerable skills as a musician are diverse in that he is both an experienced choral conductor and a celebrated church and concert organist. Nick is a singer in both National Youth Choir and Voices New Zealand and he brings these vocal skills to his role as a choral conductor. He is well known in Auckland as conductor of the Gay and Lesbian Singers (GALS) and Harbour Voices. As keyboard player, Nick has been engaged by New Zealand Opera and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. He is a scheduled soloist in the Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony with Auckland Youth Orchestra in 2022. Nick will be heavily involved in the management and programming of the First Tuesday Concert Series. Paul Chan, who previously held the position has become the organist of the Anglican Cathedral in Nelson.) PN ST MATTHEW-IN-THE-CITY, 132 Hobson Street, T: 09 379 0625 www.stmatthews.nz
Kotuku Quintet Tuesday 1st March, 12.10-12.50pm Dvorak: Piano Quintet in A, op.81
LONELINESS...
ARTS + CULTURE
FIRST TUESDAY @ ST MATTHEW-IN-THE-CITY
Loneliness is a serious problem in New Zealand, and most prevalent among the young - namely Gen Z. In March 2020, when New Zealand went into national lockdown due to Covid-19, loneliness spiked in people aged 18-24 from 5.8 percent in 2018 to 20.8 percent in 2020 according to the ‘Alone Together’ report from the Helen Clark Foundation and Loneliness NZ. The feeling of being lonely is different for everyone and is related to wider issues around cultural, community, and family circumstances. The digital era has accelerated the issue, particularly for the younger generations. We have become heavy users of social media and screen time which is creating disconnection, lack of deep human relationships and social connection. The World Health Organisation has reported that loneliness, social isolation, and living alone can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, and can lead to depression and suicide if left unchecked. Promoting social connection is imperative for the overall wellbeing and health of people and our communities. “Social media was never designed to be a meaningful relationship with the world.” - Loneliness NZ Local filmmaker, Melissa Fergusson produced a documentary film about loneliness in 2021 and her aim is to provide a deeper understanding and raise social awareness for people who are experiencing loneliness, and to find solutions to reduce the impact of being lonely. Fergusson interviewed New Zealanders who are subject matter experts, therapists, health practitioners and charitable organisations about loneliness, including Loneliness NZ, Youthline, Student Volunteer Army, Cuddle Connection NZ and Michael Hempseed. The ‘Loneliness in Aotearoa’ documentary explores and defines what loneliness is, and why it exists in our communities. It turns the spotlight on the generational divide and who is most impacted. It looks at how Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other video conferencing platforms like Zoom can connect us in the virtual world, but make us feel more anxious and disconnected. Fergusson looks at what we can do together to prevent and reduce loneliness. In the UK, Tracey Crouch was appointed as the first Minister of Loneliness in 2018 in the world and said “Nobody should feel alone or be left with no one to turn to. Loneliness is a serious issue that affects people of all ages and backgrounds, and it is right that we tackle it head on.” In 2021, Japan appointed a Minister of Loneliness to implement measures to prevent social isolation. At this present time, New Zealand does not have a Minister; however maybe we should? Melissa Fergusson directed and produced the documentary ‘Loneliness in Aotearoa’ as part of her evidence-based research on loneliness as a Masters student at Tech Futures Lab in Auckland. Fergusson has been a writer, director and producer for screen and stage for the last 12 years. www.lonelinessinaotearoa.com
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STREAMING ARTS + CULTURE GUIDE And Just Like That, NEON
SUMMER STREAMING 2022 As we move into the last days of summer streaming, the platforms have loads of new content coming out to keep us entertained, informed and inspired. In February Amazon Prime will release the fourth season of The Amazing Mrs Maisel, Phat, a docu-series celebrating Phat Tuesdays at The Comedy Store and a romantic movie just in time for Valentine’s Day I Want You Back. TVNZ has launched its beauty pageant docu-series Gowns to Geysers a show that won’t be put in the typical reality TV Show ‘box’. Plus there's a double-dose of Tom Sainsbury with the final season of Wellington Paranormal and his 2020 film Dead being remade into an eight-part series.
Raised by Refugees will premiere on Prime on 24 February with reviews to come in March. Neon’s February line-up has some great drama series like; Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber and Landscapers, a series based on the true story of a couple of mild mannered murderers on the run, starring the talented Olivia Colemen. No matter what your taste in screen content there will be something to share and enjoy over the last days of summer.
challenges these characters are faced with. In fact all the women I know in their 50s and 60s are capable innovators who are always up for new challenges, opportunities and adventures. I expected these independent trailblazers to be fierce in their 50s. It’s almost as if their characters are more a male version of how New York women at this age think, feel and act. However the dialogue is always slick and entertaining, even if the reactions and behaviours of Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte sometimes seem a little 'off'. Many of the later episodes are written and/or directed by women and the humour and naturalness of the characters seems to benefit from this. Or it might just be that by episode four you become more acclimatised to the And Just Like That world. Either way, every episode is a visual feast of style and luxurious escapism. NETFLIX
NEON Power of the Dog (no spoilers) And Just Like That
The latest in the Sex and the City franchise revists the lives of the beloved friends of Carrie Bradshaw, played by the delightful Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis. We get to check in on the experiences of these successful New York women. No longer in their 30s, but well into their 50s, they are still dazzlingly stylish, beautiful and affluent but now, somehow they have become more emotionally fragile and disillusioned with the version of NYC that has been sprung upon them and the reality of their lives. It’s as if 20 years of social and technological advancements have suddenly just hit them and now they are wondering how they have ended up where they are. In the first few episodes at least, they are a little hard to relate to; I don’t know any women in their 50s or 60s who would react with such helpless fright at some of the obstacles and
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Already critically acclaimed at numerous festivals and across multiple global award’s programs, The Power of the Dog, an official New Zealand/Australian co-production is a movie that can and perhaps should be watched more than once. Many have long anticipated Jane Campion’s next feature and this thought provoking and layered film, reveals it’s essence at a measured and unhurried pace. Don’t be surprised if after watching it, you have questions lingering in your mind days later. This movie is film art; it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but then good art can be like that. Funded in part by the talented folk at the New Zealand Film Commission (an organisation that often punches above its weight) it’s not the typical Western, instead it stretches the genre away from action and adventure and towards slow, tense, psychological drama. PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
STREAMING GUIDE The White Lotus, NEON
Power of the Dog, NETFLIX
The visually powerful cinematography combined with emotionally charged music and incredible performances by Benedict Cumberbatch, Jesse Plemmons, Kodi Smit-McPhee and Kirsten Dunst, are a tribute to Campion’s skill as a director.
There are genuinely fun and touching parts and that make it easy, family watching. NEON
I suggest avoiding reading most reviews as they inevitably share too much about the plot and smugly highlight the clever moments the film leaves up to you to work out. AMAZON PRIME Hotel Transylvania 4
This is fun for the whole family, young and old, to watch together. In fact, watch all four and enjoy a family friendly movie marathon. From the six-year-old girl to the twelve-year-old boy and his sixteen-year-old sister, this is full of satisfying action animation sequences, great voice acting (love, love, love Selena Gomez as Mavis and Andy Samberg and Johnny) and an easy to enjoy adventure plot.
The White Lotus
This award winning odd-ball series feels like a mix of The Office (the Ricky Gervais version) and Fantasy Island (the version from the 1970s). Cleverly developed characters and a great cast with a curious plot provide the perfect backdrop for a satirical dramady packed with sardonic humour and surprises. There are layers of meaning amongst its commentary on the power dynamics wielded by the rich over the less wealthy. The dynamic at play in relationships, pressured to ‘enjoy their holiday in paradise’, completes the recipe. The reality is that resorts are full of people who have no choice but to serve others and are okay with being treated as servants. Often they live in conditions so far removed from the luxurious surroundings they create for guests. It is almost an aberration of hospitality. The White Lotus manages to highlight all this and more in an entertaining and binge worthy way.
Hotel Transylvania 4, Amazon Prime
Our exquisite Otago landscape is the perfect stand-in for a vast, remote, and financially struggling State of Montana in the mid 1920s. Campion’s choices make good use of the landscape, both as a tool of contrast and as a way to leverage the tension and mystery between the characters.
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THE PONSONBY PINK PAGES
Glenys Lindsay
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Because we all deserve freedom SAFE helping animals out Help us fight cages 82 PONSONBY NEWS+ February 2022
safe.org.nz PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
THE PONSONBY PINK PAGES
ERGOHUMAN CHAIR The ultimate in comfort
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Stunningly curated outdoor furniture from Italy, Belgium, France, Indonesia and the Philippines. Before you purchase anywhere, you owe it to yourself to compare. Prices. Design. Quality. You will be so pleased you did. All products are in stock, fully assembled, and available for nationwide delivery. Sunbrella® cushions are included with the purchase of our deep seating pieces as shown on our website.
Pippa Outdoor Rope and Aluminium Relaxing Chair
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Edge Wicker Dining Arm Chair
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Blok Concrete Waterfall Coffee Table
Teak Adirondack Chair and Stool
Kove Outdoor Rope and Aluminium Sun Lounger
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