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PONSONBY PARK
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, 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
PONSONBY U3A: DECEMBER 2021 THE END OF A ZOOMING YEAR!
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. 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.
Andrea Kelland
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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 rosiearm@xtra.co.nz
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.
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.
"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.
