PONSONBY NEWS - FEBURARY '23

Established: OCTOBER 1989 FEBRUARY 2023

CELEBRATING 33 YEARS OF PUBLISHING HISTORY!

10 JERVOIS

For more information contact: 10-12 Jervois Road | www.10jervois.co.nz 09 360 9988 | sales@10jervois.co.nz

HSP Development Ltd

Landmark location in Three Lamps to transform into green-conscious luxurious apartments

The site of the first Ponsonby Town Hall and historic police station in Three Lamps, Ponsonby is set to become eco-friendly and design-driven private luxury apartments for those who want a refresh in life. With perfect views of the stunning Waitemata Harbour and the twinkling Auckland CBD, 10 Jervois will model luxury, future-built living in a heritage site.

10 Jervois is the newest project of NZ company HSP Developments, who have taken extreme care to ensure that high quality materials and reliable, highly reputable contractors and suppliers are used to deliver a spectacular offering into the Three Lamps landscape.

Adherence to the Council standards complement the high aesthetic values of HSP Developments, with renowned New Zealand architect Daniel Marshall designing the apartment building. Careful considerations prioritising quality and aesthetic have been made for residents to feel and see at every touch point. Environmentally friendly solar power and smart-home living elevates 10 Jervois from any other luxury apartment development in Auckland.

10 Jervois will boast 15 apartments, each built to embody easy, high quality and convenient living. Two penthouse suites are available for those

who want the best life has to offer, as well as 1, 2 and 3 bedroom options that will come outfitted in premium appliances such as Gagganau and Miele, smart home capabilities and smart appliances. All buyers receive a free tablet to receive updates of the project, with the ability to choose bespoke options for their new home.

Space is prioritised in 10 Jervois, with sweeping open plan living areas which open to private, covered balconies. The apartments are perfect for hosting friends and family, as well as having a daily coffee in the fresh air while looking out over the ocean.

The apartments will be perfect for those looking to downsize and yet thrive in the vibrant suburb of Three Lamps, with access to motorways, public transport and easy walking distance to iconic eateries and utilities. Parking is available on-site, as well housekeeping, a cafe and dedicated work office space for residents on the ground level. Every aspect of life has been serviced so that residents spend their days focusing on what brings them joy, in a beautiful home in the heart of Ponsonby.

The build is projected to start in late 2023 with trans-Tasman construction company GN Construction.

003 COVER STORY - 10 JERVOIS - NEW APARTMENTS

006 LETTERS & EMAILS

007 FROM THE EDITOR

008 DAVID HARTNELL: ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW

018 MIKE LEE: THE LAND OF THE ENDLESS SUMMER

019 PUNEET OF PONSONBY

020 FACES AT GREY LYNN FARMERS MARKET

021 FROM THE MAYOR - WAYNE BROWN

023 CHLÖE SWARBRICK: MP AUCKLAND CENTRAL

030 ROSS THORBY: VISITING THE HAWKES BAY

031 AUCKLAND LIVE SUMMER

032 PONSONBY PARK

033 MELISSA LEE: NATIONAL LIST MP

036 GAEL BALDOCK: TE REO - USE OF MACRONS

038 HELEN WHITE: LABOUR LIST MP

040 HELENE RAVLICH: LOCAL WELLNESS FOR 2023

050 EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY

057 FASHION & STYLE

058 FUTURE GENERATION

065 PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS

066 HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

068 ARTS & CULTURE

072 HOROSCOPES

074 THE PONSONBY PINK PAGES

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.

P34 "Finally there is a real alternative to glyphosate,” says Ponsonby resident Matt Kirby.

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

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M: 027 938 4111 melissapaynter@me.com

Operations Manager: GWYNNE DAVENPORT

M: 021 150 4095 gwynne@ponsonbynews.co.nz

Fashion & Beauty Editor: HELENE RAVLICH

M: 021 767 133 helene@mshelene.com

Contributing Music Editor: FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT

M: 021 134 4101 finn.huia@gmail.com

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.

photography: Connor Crawford

SILKY OTTER CINEMA

We love your magazine. What a wonderful addition the Silky Otter cinema is to our area. It's such a pleasant experience and the staff are lovely. Thank you for coming to Ponsonby and I hope you get lots of support.

Not so good news: Back in 2021, Auckland Transport, having completed consultation for Ponsonby, put out a news release promising big changes were coming making the main streets better for people. One example was the promise of a Barnes Dance on the corner of Ponsonby and Williamson where Countdown is. Nothing has ever happened. Can someone please ask AT why their promises fell on deaf ears and I am disappointed the local board has not been chasing it.

Bill Evans, Freemans Bay

WAITEMATĀ LOCAL BOARD AREA MANAGER LEAVES

Elected members of a local board are the face that the public sees, whilst behind them are the staff, who are only known to those public citizens who are actively engaged.

I have been presenting and attending Waitematā Local Board meetings for many years. Area Manager, Trina Thompson has made that process pleasant, even when my views conflicted with those of certain members.

Over the last nine years she has advised four incarnations of both Ōrākei and Waitematā Boards and taught elected members their democratic obligations and procedures in upholding their oath to serve. Sadly, she is leaving to take the same position closer to home at the Devonport - Takapuna Local Board. Our loss is their gain.

Thank you Trina, you will be sorely missed.

Gael Baldock, Community Advocate

CR. MIKE LEE AND PONSONBY NEWS LEADING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Two accolades to start the year. I commend Ponsonby News for appreciating the need for community to have their voices heard. Further, Councillor Mike Lee must be acknowledged for his already deep involvement in complex community matters.

I enjoy reading Ponsonby News from start to finish each month. Without fail, the Editor gives community the opportunity to share their views - both positive and negative. Every month I meet constituents who have read and considered Letters To The Editor, written by others. They give me their own context and opinions.

Community engagement is key to increasing interest in local politics. Ponsonby News plays an important part in civic engagement and can be proud to be an example to other community focussed publications.

Elected again in October 2022, Cr Mike Lee impresses with his commitment to the constituents he serves, not just those who voted for him. He is clearly listening and actively engaged across his broad and diverse ward, which spans from Waiheke to Westmere. Cr Lee's comprehensive view of the macro views affecting Aucklanders means he is already making an impact for all Aucklanders. This is the sort of positive politics Aucklanders need and deserve.

The community is starting to feel heard. Long may this continue. Sarah Trotman, ONZM, Waitematā Local Board Member

PS: constituents wishing to share views or meet with me can reach me at sarah.trotman@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

FREE SPEECH – ALIVE AND WELL

In signing off on my final Ponsonby News column following the local government election last year I made a plea for a line to be drawn on the monthly abuse directed at me and my City Vision colleagues.

It was therefore disappointing to see in the December edition that not only are you allowing the abuse to continue towards former local board chair Richard Northey, it has been ramped up even further and also directed at new chair Gen Sage.

The late John Elliott left a legacy of thoughtful opinion pieces. He always played the ball and not the person. It is sad to see the pages of Ponsonby News now turned over to selfstyled "community advocates" who engage in misleading and vitriolic abuse.

Ponsonby News plays an important role in providing local news. The lively features on arts, culture and people in the community deserve to be celebrated. This is in stark contrast to Lisa Prager’s “opinion” pieces and letters. In December she made the claim that City Vision has “ravaged” our neighbourhood. You only need to read through 12 years of back issues to know this can not be true. Every month, starting with Shale Chambers, the local board chair has reported in Ponsonby News on the activities of the local board and the service of committed elected members. It is City Vision-led boards that have notched up a long list of achievements, including opening up of much loved walkways, restoration of heritage buildings, delivered many new playgrounds, environmental programmes and community grants for local groups.

There will always be differences of opinion, but it is a long established media principle that material facts on which an opinion is based should be accurate. Please can you put an end to vitriol, misinformation and abuse in the pages of Ponsonby News. It is harmful and can not be ignored any longer.

Pippa Coom, Grey Lynn

TREES ARE SACRED

Trees are sacred and serve a vital role in absorbing water and creating oxygen. We need to debate how we treat trees in our city. Can a tree damaged in a storm be allowed to heal and regrow after an unsafe limb is removed or should it just be felled and turned into a plaything?

I say trees are sacred and serve a vital role in absorbing water and creating oxygen. We should preserve and protect all trees as much as possible. What do you think?

Lisa Prager, Tree Advocate

The Auckland Rainbow Pride Parade is back in Ponsonby on Saturday 18 February from 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm.

As you know, the Rainbow Parade was cancelled last year due to Covid restrictions, so it's great to welcome it back to our street this year with over 40 floats, about 20 of which are motorised. It’s Rainbow by name and rainbow by nature and is a melting pot of people, communities and love in a street known for its vibrancy and heart.

Our front cover this month focuses on 10 Jervois. The site of the first Ponsonby Town Hall and historic police station in Three Lamps Ponsonby is set to become eco-friendly and design-driven private luxury apartments (15 are available) for those who want a refresh in life. With perfect views of the stunning Waitematā Harbour and the twinkling Auckland CBD nights, 10 Jervois will model luxury, future-built living in a heritage site.

This new apartment building is the newest project of New Zealand company HSP Developments who have taken extreme care to ensure that high quality materials and reliable highly reputable contractors and suppliers are used to deliver a spectacular offering into the Three Lamps landscape.

Finally there is a real alternative to glyphosate. A local company based in Ponsonby, Safe Weed Control, is providing a new chemical free, organic and non-toxic weed control service to local residents. Ponsonby News will keep pestering the council until glyphosate is finally banned. Good luck Matt Kirby with your much needed alternative.

In her feature this month Helene Ravlich has covered local wellness… reimagined for 2023. “By February many of our

New Year’s resolutions may have fallen by the wayside, usually because the “go hard and go fast” approach just sets us up for failure.”

This month we have a new column from our Mayor - Wayne Brown. As he told us, "It’s just gone 100 days since 180,000 fellow citizens chose me as Mayor and I have been busy firstly dealing with an unwanted budget deficit of $295m left for me by the new High Commissioner to UK."

There are a record number of letters to the editor this month. Please remember that opinions expressed in Ponsonby News are not always the opinion of Alchemy Media and Ponsonby News. We believe in free speech, even if the words are critical and take our lead from Kim Hill on RNZ on Saturday mornings as she always reads out the criticisms of her show, as well as the positive comments.

(JAY PLATT & MARTIN LEACH)  PN

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Jay Platt and Martin Leach

photography: Connor Crawford

DAVID HARTNELL: ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW WITH JASMIN ZIEDAN

Jasmin Ziedan has been the managing director of Base FM for the past 14 years. Jasmin is also MD of Island Base, a non for profit organisation providing free music mentoring for Pacific and rangatahi Māori tapping into the wide network of Base FM DJs and artists.

What do you like the most about Ponsonby?

Base FM used to be based in Ponsonby for many years.

I lived down the road on the top of Grey Lynn and my entire life really only took place in Ponsonby. I always loved its variety of hospo and retail and close connection to other cute suburbs like Freemans or Herne Bay. Western Park with its buildings sticking out of the ground and hidden bottom area is also a real gem. And of course the Ponsonby Foodcourt is such an institution for food, yummy freshly squeezed juices and cheap house wine.

Our Base FM aerial was set up on their roof for over seven years and broadcasted out to the surrounding areas.

How have you survived the pandemic?

It came with its challenges like for most. But to be honest, once I got my head around it in terms of 'can't beat it, embrace it' style, I quite enjoyed having a slower pace of life and getting back to the simple things. The music industry is busy, fast and always full of noise and technology. Some peace and quiet, walks, baking and puzzling made for a nice change.

What was your childhood like?

Well, I was born in Egypt and raised in Germany, so I'd say it was quite different.

Dream holiday?

The magic triangle : Cuba, Jamaica, Bahamas.

Bucket list?

I've hiked Machu Picchu, lived with the tarantulas in the Amazon, slept in -25 degrees with oxygen masks in Bolivia, swam with the sharks in the Galapagos, set up a radio station on a Pacific island and I'm about to have a baby. My bucket is full for now.

Most Kiwi thing about you?

Going to the rugby most Saturdays. As a German-Egyptian that means a lot and only took me 15 years to get my head around.

What job would you do other than your own?

Archeologist - discovering more of ancient Egypt.

If you were reincarnated what would you be?

A fluffy white puppy.

Something that you really disapprove of? Marmite.

If you won a million dollars?

Buy an island and a boat.

What motivates you?

Sunshine.

What happens when we die? We go to ‘Neverland’.

Chill out how?

I'm an active relaxer. Meditation or doing nothing, even just watching TV makes me uncomfortable, so I like to walk with my headphones on or swim laps, or bake.

Which item of clothing can't you live without? My scarf!

Favorite time of the day? Breakfast.

Your dream home?

I'm currently building it. Will report back next year :-)

Most treasured possession? My engagement ring from Paris. It's not worth much in terms of the price but that’s not what it should be about. Right?

What superpower do you wish you had? Travel through time and places.

What gizmo can you simply not live without? The magnetic phone holder thing in the car.

Greatest weakness? Nutella.

Favourite movie?

Dave Chapelle's Block Party because it's featuring all my favourite artists, comedy and a rad concept at once.

If you could change one law or policy in New Zealand, what would it be?

No discrimination. (DAVID HARTNELL, MNZM)  PN

Iconic Ironbank

150 Karangahape Road

More than just an iconic sculptural form, Ironbank is an award-winning space with purposeful design and genuine green credentials. This NABERSNZ energy efficiency rated building is managed under a carbon net-zero programme, and creates tangible positive impacts for tenants as a sustainable workspace.

Retail and Office spaces

available for lease now:

PH 09 522 0039

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.

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.

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.

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.

PUNEET DHALL

I am an Aucklander of Indian origin, Punjabi and Sikh. I have a keen interest in food, wine and politics.

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.

SOFIA ROGER WILLIAMS

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.

Photography: Joss Griggs

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.

09 367 1200 obstetrics.co.nz

AUCKLAND ZOO CELEBRATES A CENTURY OF WILD LIFE

A special book, ‘Auckland Zoo – 100 Years, 100 Stories’ and an onsite centenary exhibition (free to all visitors) are among ways Auckland Zoo is celebrating its 100th birthday with the community.

Since opening on 16 December 1922, generations of New Zealanders, and significantly the people of Tāmaki Makaurau, have been at the heart of the Zoo’s journey to becoming the wildlife conservation organisation it is today, as the book and exhibition reflect.

“From our early life as a mainly treeless menagerie, the Zoo has metamorphosed both physically and philosophically. Our evolution is thanks to many former visionary leaders, the passion, skills, and dedication of so many past and present staff, and our amazing community, sponsors, supporters, and conservation partners,” says Auckland Zoo’s director, Kevin Buley.

“It is also primarily because of the incredible ongoing support and trust of Auckland Council and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, that we’re here as Auckland’s zoo, realising our mission ‘to bring people together to build a future for wildlife’. And given the enormous and daunting challenges that our planet faces – with climate change, escalating biodiversity loss, and our own species’ increasing urbanisation and disconnection from nature – our role as a modern zoo at the heart of our community has never been more important,” explains Kevin.

‘Auckland Zoo - 100 Years, 100 Stories’ (by Sarah Ell, Aja Pendergrast and Jane Healy) – available from the Zoo’s shop, online, and in all good book stores (including Ponsonby’s The Women’s Book Shop) – is a rich and colourful unconventional history.

Through its 100 stories and stunning photographs, it brings to life the Zoo’s journey from its early days as a ‘living museum’ to its role as a modern zoo active in conserving wildlife in Aotearoa and around the world and connecting its community with nature to enhance wellbeing and to grow a love and care for the natural world.

A wildly diverse read, stories range from the Zoo’s fraught origins in Onehunga (with complaints of roaring lions!) to its established and awardwinning green oasis in Western Springs, and personal accounts of former staff and their families who lived on site at the Zoo. There are tales of unexpected animal adventures (Hippo Faith, Otter Jin, and Elephant Burma), stories of dayto-day zoo life (how do you anaesthetise a flamingo?) and insights into the fascinating and ground-breaking conservation work, locally and overseas, by the Zoo and its partners.

Bringing the Zoo’s 100-year journey to life on site is a centenary exhibition – ‘100 Years – A Century of wild life at Auckland Zoo’ – free to all visitors in the Zoo’s exhibition space, ‘The Domes’ until 17 July.

Proudly supported by the Zoo’s new principal partner, Barfoot & Thompson, this dynamic and interactive exhibition offers a rich and fascinating journey into the Zoo’s past, present and future.

People of all ages are invited to share their own favourite Zoo memories – through drawings, photos, and words, take part in physical activities like mindful animal movement, watch video content, share their own conservation/sustainability goals and more! For tamariki, there’s also an activity sheet and opportunity to collect stamps around the exhibition to be in to win an ice cream, courtesy of supporting partner Tip Top.

Zoo Lates over summer

A ‘Zoo Lates’ summer evening series (4 pm – 8 pm every Thursday through to 2 March) is a further opportunity to take in the exhibition as well as explore the Zoo and take in the Lates animal keeper talks on offer and bring a picnic or dine out in one of the Zoo’s cafes. Visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz

We are passionate about helping people so call us now to see how we can help you with your next move.

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NEST ASSOCIATES… EXPOSING PROPERTY IN AN OPEN MARKET

Estate agency is a simple business often seen as complicated.

We at Nest Associates don’t follow the crowd; we keep it simple, taking time to get to know you, your property and to understand your situation, so we can create a bespoke moving strategy individually tailored to you.

Tell us how it works.

Having a great rapport with the client and creating a story about the vendors, their house and location, using a film crew, and posting on our Early Bird social media platforms.

What makes you think a property in New Zealand would sell in the UK?

There are so many ex-pats in the UK who have now seen the benefits of investing back in their home town since Covid and will eventually be flying back to their original nest.

What costs are involved and how much are your fees?

Our costs are a drone, a videographer, and the best use of all social media. Also we often work 'off market', as the

properties we sell are generally owned by celebrities, private clients who do not want their home listed on Rightmove UK. The cost is a fixed amount with the above, and the fees are negotiable.

Anything else you’d like to tell our readers?

Yes. Nest is opening up an opportunity, to invite vendors of Auckland to be on our platform website, all social media, magazines and Rightmove UK or just to have a conversation to discuss our investment portfolio of clients, which at the moment is over 3.8 thousand registered buyers for investment properties in Auckland, and 5,000 on LinkedIn. It’s growing daily. Why wouldn’t you want to expose your property in an open market in the UK?

Just give me a whatsapp call on +44 7950 175 270 anytime. Or email lyn.parent@nestassociates.co.uk Mint Real Estate Licensed. Agent REA 2008

Glanville House, Cobham, Surrey KT11. £1.6 million, five bedrooms, three bathrooms - close to four schools, rural yet walkable to the village!

Robyns Cobb Woodlands Lane Stoke d’Abernon. £1.3 million looking out over paddocks, 30 minutes to Gatwick 45 to Heathrow. Walled garden.

MIKE LEE: FROM THE LAND OF THE ENDLESS SUMMER, THE LONG DAY - AND RAINBOW LORIKEETS

Last year there was enough politics in Auckland to fill the CRL tunnel. This year, with a major financial crisis and a bunch of leftover problems hanging over Auckland Council, as well as a general election coming – there’ll be more than enough. So this month I’m giving politics a miss.

Back in November, almost on a whim, Jenny and I decided to do something we’ve never done in January, leave Waiheke and head overseas. Given how wet things turned out, it proved to be a smart move. So, while our water tanks were being topped up we took ourselves off to sunny Coolangatta with our granddaughter Elena and daughter-in-law Ivy.

The first thing we noticed, apart from the predictably gorgeous weather, was no daylight saving in Queensland. To my surprise this seems to make quite a difference to the day, mysteriously slowing down the clock. The sun comes up at 5.05 am and goes down at 6.45 pm. By 6 am the locals are up and about their business – especially at the beach. Our accommodation was opposite the Coolangatta and Tweed Heads Surf Life Saving Club, ‘Australian and Queensland Surf Life Saving Club of the year for 2019’. Weekends are the best time to see Australian surf life-saving culture in action, which Piha historian Sandra Coney says was adopted in detail in New Zealand from the early 20th century.

Though sea conditions here are much more benign than Auckland’s wild west coast, just like New Zealand every year there are drownings, swimming is a year-round activity so water safety is taken very seriously. From dawn the beaches are ablaze with red and yellow flags. At either end of the beach are lifeguard stations in gazebos, each with a squad of watchful lifesavers in their red and yellow swim caps, equipped with a zodiac and dune buggy. On each side surf boards are mounted side-on, marked ‘surf life-saving’ and pointed out to sea like guided missiles on launch pads. Club members of all ages from ‘nippers’, ‘nipper supervisors’ trainee lifeguards and lifeguards all have their distinctive colourful togs and T-shirts, and with social seniors they throng the beach and water. Further out surf boarders wait patiently for the right wave - and all before breakfast! On weekdays professional lifeguards from the Gold Coast City Council take over. By 10 am the glare from the yellow sand is so bright it’s hard to look at but by then the whole beach is covered with colourful cabanas and beach umbrellas.

I found public transport excellent here. One morning, we decided to visit Brisbane, 134 km to the north. Armed with our ‘Go Cards’ we took the bus, which runs northward to Broadbeach where it links with the Gold Coast G-Link tram station. The popular trams run through Surfers Paradise as

far as Helensvale, which is also a railway station. Here we took the train on to Brisbane (it also serves Brisbane Airport). We returned the same way - the train being the fastest (52 km/h), followed by bus (40 km/h) then light rail (34 km/h). (No evident shortage of local bus drivers here – perhaps they pay them decent wages?). A round trip of 268 km all on affordable, integrated public transport. We were back in time for dinner at the surf club.

At Brisbane I caught up with my old Auckland University lecturer, evolutionary biologist Dave Lambert. Originally from Brisbane, he is now a professor at Griffiths University. Dave met me at the station and took me to lunch. We talked of old friends and Dave’s fond memories of Auckland. We agreed that the 1980s and 90s was a golden age for biological sciences at Auckland University with its all-star cast of scientist/lecturers led by the inspirational conservationist, marine biologist and polymath Prof John Morton. Dave’s laboratory pioneered ancient DNA sequencing at Auckland, working on endangered native birds, the extinct giant moa and mummified sacred Ibises of Egypt. I recall his lectures were so enthralling that at the end of one set, the whole class applauded. Dave is now charged with the awesome responsibility of working with indigenous Australian traditional leaders, sequencing DNA of ancient remains stored in museums across Australia, linking them with some 360 language groups of the Aboriginal people to enable their proper repatriation. His lab is also helping living ‘stolen generation’ people, linking them to their long-lost relations and spiritual places.

No visit to the Gold Coast is complete without a visit to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (45 ha) - the legacy of New Zealand born conservationist Alex Griffiths, who created it on his parents’ block of remnant rain forest. The sanctuary began in 1947 almost accidentally when Alex started feeding the flocks of rainbow lorikeets to keep them off his commercial flowers. To this day the colourful birds are fed twice a day by sanctuary staff and visitors, who squeal with delight when the birds land on their heads and shoulders (us too!). Prior to his death in 1998, Alex donated his sanctuary to the nation. It is now the most popular visitor attraction on the Gold Coast. Anyone travelling that way should not miss the ‘Wild Sky’ performance where native Australian birds are the stars of a jaw-droppingly amazing display. (MIKE LEE)  PN

PUNEET DHALL: FROM ANCIENT GAUL TO DAPHNES BAR TAVERNA

For centuries Côte Roannaise was a forgotten wine region. But it was here tucked away in these lonely and windswept hills of Central France that I discovered one of the greatest vineyards on Earth - welcome to Romain Paire’s Domain des Pothiers.

Arriving at The Domaine after a long and winding drive, I encounter an elderly gentleman staring frustratingly into the abyss of a tractor engine. We exchange a ‘Bonjour’ to each other, but beyond that I am not even sure that he registers me. I lean back against the car and gaze on at his efforts.

A short while later Romain bounds up the rocky lane. He and his father talk ‘tractor’ for a few minutes, which seems to turn his father’s mood to a more optimistic bearing. And then, with a turn of the head, Romain faces me and unleashes a raw and gushing smile.

And straight to business Romain shows me around his house, which is at least one thousand years old and has been home to his family for as far back as records go. He tells me that for millennia this land has made wine and that his forefathers never abandoned this practice.

We take a tour to his magical ‘Clos’. An old monastery towers over this walled vineyard high up a hill. We feel as far away from civilisation as is possible but the view is awesome. From this ancient vineyard I can see the whole of France, North, South, East and West.

Romain is truly a man of the country; up at dawn working till dusk, completing more projects in a year than I will do in a lifetime. He is truly inspirational, and later that day as I taste his wines in his rustic Gaul cellars I realise that I have found an absolute gem.

The area is famous for the variety Gamay St Romain (this is not the Gamay of Beaujolais – but a different variety altogether which is prettier and more feminine). The altitude and cool climate give his wines a freshness and perfect ripenesssimply formidable.

That evening I share a wonderful meal with the familyeverything on the table is grown by themselves from the land around them. We celebrate this together.

I discover that when Romain makes a rare visit to any of his 3 star Michelin restaurant clients around France he is treated like royalty, such are the quality of his wines and the respect he has earnt. I ask Romain what one thing should I take away from my visit with him.

‘Gamay forever’ he says. And in that instant we become lifelong friends.

And here I am now 12,000 miles from those lonely hills sitting in the buzzing cauldron that is Daphnes on Ponsonby Road. Established in March 2021 by owners Joost and Clare van der Berg at the height of Covid, this establishment has only been a roaring success. General manager Tania Pucher runs a tight and friendly team and Chef Thomas Wix works his magic from the fire pit kitchen. As soon as you walk in with its open space in bright blue and white hues, you are transported to the Mediterranean as if a white sand beach and jaunty fishing boats are just a sea shell’s throw away.

It’s a summery day here in Auckland and the rose sparkling tints of my effervescent wine shimmer in my tall flute in front of me. This is ‘The Eclipse’ from Domaine des Pothiers. A sparkling Rosé biodynamic wine made from the most ancient winemaking technique for this genre; ‘Pétillant Naturel’ or ‘Pét Nat’ as it is more fondly known amongst its fans. It is one of my fave summer drinks, of course made from Romain’s legendary Gamay.

And one dish you must have on the table when the ‘Eclipse’ is in play is the signature ‘Ouzo Salmon confit with burnt honey, sesame, feta and witlof. It’s a decadent dish with layers of richness from the textured salmon to the soft cheese and ‘to die for’ honey. The Eclipse nicely complements with its freshness, red fruits and elegance and resets the palate nicely for the next bite….C’est Magnifique…Très chic. (PUNEET DHALL)  PN @puneetofponsonby

Puneet and the Daphnes team enjoying a glass of Pothiers

FACES AT GREY LYNN FARMERS MARKET

Vini sells organic produce from their Feels Good farm at Grey Lynn Farmers Market on Sunday mornings.

Where did you grow up?

Brazil – I was a city boy with no farming experience.

What did you study?

I studied industrial engineering. Then I worked for industrial consultancies, and medical start-ups.

How did you end up farming?

It started by travelling and being exposed to a lot of ideas and philosophies - from yoga to permaculture. I found that I kept getting closer to soil and to myself.

Did you get some training along the way?

Yes. During the pandemic I stopped in Argentina at a permaculture centre where I learnt about sustainable agriculture. I worked on organic farms in Argentina and Patagonia.

That’s still far away from New Zealand. I met Taryn in Argentina - she’s a Kiwi. And I had been to New Zealand on my travels and loved it. We knew that New Zealanders value organic food, so it seemed like a great place for us to establish a farm.

Where is your farm?

In Waiuku. We lease an organic plot from Permakai that is enabling us to establish an organic farm more quickly.

When did you start your business?

Towards the end of last year, when we returned to New Zealand.

What are you growing?

Everything is certified organic. Beans are our first crop, and we have plans for watermelons, sweetcorn, carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, rocket, mustards, squash, okra, flowers, and much more.

How is it going?

It’s a lot of hard work, of course, but we are loving it. While we get our farm established, we are bringing along produce from other organic farmers we know. I have been working hard to establish a network of other organic farmers so that we can support each other.

Do you get any time off?

Not much, but our farm is 10 minutes from Karioitahi Beach. It’s beautiful, wild, and good to cool off in the middle of the day when it’s too hot to be working on farm.

Do you have any more travel plans?

Travel is on hold for us while we get the farm up and running. When we have time, I would love to return to Nepal, visit friends in Majorca, and visit family in Japan.  PN

www.greylynnfarmersmarket.co.nz

Sunday mornings at the Grey Lynn Community Centre 510 Richmond Road

WAYNE BROWN: MAYOR OF AUCKLAND

It’s just gone 100 days since 180,000 fellow citizens chose me as mayor and I have been busy firstly dealing with an unwanted budget deficit of $295m left for me by the new High Commissioner to UK, but also doing my best to implement my five policies of: ‘stop wasting money; finish the big projects like CRL before starting new ones; take back control of CCOs; speeding up AT; and getting the harbour-side back from the port.

In the midst of all these challenges, it’s easy to forget the great things about living here, particularly in Ponsonby and its surrounds, so I thought I’d list the things I love about our hood so well covered by the Ponsonby News.

My last four Auckland abodes have all been within your readership area, starting with an apartment in Blake Street, then in Hopetoun, then a bungalow in Tuarangi to our current apartment in Hereford.

In all cases my wife and I love that we can walk to so many things from leafy Western Park to all the cafes, bars and restaurants in K Road and down Ponsonby Road, including the fact that I can walk to work to the council in 14 minutes rather than take the bus or car in 23 minutes.

I’ll list some of my favourites. Among the many restaurants we love are Coco’s Cuchina and Carmen’s on K Road, Azabu, Prego and everything in and around Ponsonby Central. For cafes Forte Green, La Noisette, Little Algerian and Djamal’s neighbours on K Road and Dizengoff and their neighbours on Ponsonby Road. And what better place for an afternoon beer than at Chapel. That’s just scratching the surface or our

wonderful hospo offerings and I’ve missed plenty more all with their appeal.

We live among a wonderfully eclectic collection of people and there is way less agro than on our main Queen Street. I can look out my window and see my local MP and friend Chlöe’s apartment and we boast delightfully odd, but intensely committed local activists, like Gael Baldock and Lisa Prager.

We are indeed blessed here, but we need to protect and maintain the character of our area currently under attack from ill-advised Wellington planning regulations and other pressures. I miss some things that have gone due to various pressures such as Siostra from West Lynn and of course the greatest loss being the Alhambra, banished by a foolish landlord. We have a great culture of musicians, but sadly, as Truda Chadwick noted, one of our iconic singers Larry Morris of Larry’s Rebels passed away recently.

I hope to get back to readers with progress on ‘fixing the council’ to give us a better city in future editions.

(WAYNE

Community celebration of new Auckland Council at Garnet Station L to R: Gael Baldock, Mayor Wayne Brown, Councillors John Watson, Christine Fletcher and Wayne Walker

LETTERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

NEW REVENUE STREAM BY MAKING ESTABLISHMENTS PAY FOR FOOD INSPECTION

It is with slight trepidation that I set out on another year running a hospitality business, wondering how the council will conjure up new ways for me to pay for the privilege of offering a service.

Last year they created a new revenue stream by making establishments pay for the food inspection. Prior to this it was all rolled up in the food license fee. Now they charge by the hour for the inspector and every corrective action that is found costs you too.

They look quite hard for something to be wrong; never before have I been told that keeping an ice shovel in with the ice is wrong! I do believe they’ve also been able to slip in another extra fee for the use of the prescribed Food Control Plan; I’m pretty sure that’s called double dipping. I know that there is a massive shortfall in the council’s budget, but I don’t think it’s fair that small businesses are burdened further.

Verity George, Westmere

SOMETHING IS HAPPENING HERE

- DAME ROBIN WHITE - AUCKLAND ART GALLERY

The retrospective exhibition of Dame Robin White’s (b.1946, Ngāti Awa, Pākehā) work from the 1970s to current day at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki in conjunction with Te Papa is outstanding. It’s hard to believe that this is the work of one artist as her style develops and her medium changes as she lives in different locations.

Upon leaving Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland, in 1967, she painted simple buildings and rolling landscapes featuring her friends and fellow students, in a realistic style. “I don't go around just looking for beautiful hills - my work arises out of the situation I'm in,” - Robin White, 1977.

Then she moved with her family to the Pacific nation of Kiribati to assist the local Baha'i community in 1982, where they stayed for 17 years. Adapting to the lifestyle and materials available to her, she depicted local people using woodblock prints.

“Living a village life throws you into the midst of everything you can't help but be engaged,” - Robin White, 2000.

Everywhere she lived she embraced the history and culture and collaborated with locals in their art practices, and changed to local art methods and mediums. In 1999 in Whakaoriori

Masterton, influenced by the Japanese prisoners of war interned nearby, she worked in watercolour on wallpaper, and wool bales with a collaboration with a graffiti artist producing work with a Colin McCahon influence.

In 2008 working with two expert Fijian masi (barkcloth) artists, Bale Jione and Leba Toki, they produced a large work inspired by the Lautoka Sugar Mill.

Her latest work on tapa combines traditional cultural patterns along with her contemporary style of everyday objects with Tongan artists, Ruha and Ebonie Fifita, and Fijian artist, Tamari Cabeikanacea.

Gael Baldock, Information source: Auckland Art Gallery

DANGEROUS SPRAYING OF GLYPHOSATE AND POISONS

As I go for runs around my local streets of Pt Chevalier, Westmere, Grey Lynn and Herne Bay, I have witnessed many incidents of dangerous spraying of glyphosate and poisons in inclement weather and near waterways with apparent lack of care or observance of best practice. Auckland Council have responded to my complaints admitting that these practices do go against their own rules, yet they do little to nothing to stop it other than to say, “we will have a word to our contractors”. Obviously with little effect as misuse of glyphosate continues. Why is it the council doesn’t insist using steam instead of poison for weed control like some other areas of Auckland?

Graffiti also continues to be an unsightly problem. One tag or slogan may not seem a problem, but one becomes two, becomes three and so on. The continued presence of graffiti encourages more and does nothing to enhance our communities or our sense of feeling safe. Council employee or council contractors do not go around looking for graffiti to magically remove it while we sleep. With this in mind, I have reported countless tagging to the graffiti team who, to their credit, act quickly to remove it. They have even rung me on occasions to ask questions to be sure that they use the right medium for removal. My point is, I’m not a council employee and this takes a lot of my time and I am left wondering why others care so little about the neighbourhood not to do the same.

It’s easy, just go online and report it to www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Linda Hill

LETTERS CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

CHLÖE SWARBRICK: Auckland Central MP

Just like that, the political media machine ticked into gear – then overdrive – on Thursday 19 January, as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced not only the election date (14 October), but her resignation.

One can only respect the integrity and leadership demonstrated by genuine self-reflection about capacity.

Politics is not the game that it’s often painted as (to all our detriment), but the process of problem solving, making decisions and delivering, hopefully, the betterment of as many New Zealanders as possible.

While the Greens and I have consistently been constructive and clear about where we have disagreed – one example being the levers pulled for the Covid Economic Response that widened and entrenched wealth inequalities, as reports illustrate – there has been many instances where we have collaborated with Labour to achieve crucial policy change.

These areas have been as huge as the Zero Carbon Act (the country’s debut infrastructure to tackle climate changing emissions) and as seemingly small as drug checking law (which means we haven’t seen young people dying taking dodgy drugs through festival season, the likes of Australia’s experience).

It’ll be around 250 days to the country’s next election when this issue of Ponsonby News goes to print. It’ll also be just over 100 days since our last local body election. Settling into 2023, it’s worth remembering how our voices, decisions and collaboration can impact a better world, whether that be at home on Ponsonby Road, across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, for the country, or even the planet.

While just 35% of Aucklanders voted in local body elections, the decisions of our new council will impact all of us. The mayoral proposal outlined at the end of last year – due to be finalised and go out to public consultation in February through March this year – put forward ideas to sell assets (which have been crucial over the past decade for diversifying council’s income and reducing pressure on rates), cut operational expenditure by local boards and retain immensely reduced public transport schedules.

I’ve been clear about my deep concerns with these proposals, especially when they pose just a short-term fix in-line with ‘keeping rates low’ rhetoric. After all, who doesn’t want a functional and revived Leys Institute, well maintained

greenspace and guaranteed clean water to swim in at Herne Bay, Sentinel Road and Hamilton Road beaches?

As always, the questions with this budget proposal should be what the real cost and benefit is and for whom. I look forward to robust ongoing engagement with our mayor, whom I’ve already put these matters to, our councillors and all of you as we focus on practical investment, policies and programmes for our growing city.

Some key, nation-impacting legislation will enter the House and select committees when parliament resumes after Waitangi Day. We’ll work on bills overhauling the much-dogged Resource Management Act and the government’s response to my Alcohol Harm Minimisation Bill, both of which may have substantive impact on our local communities and environment; whether it’s baking in protections for our trees and planning for climate adaptation, or sensibly reducing the harm of our nation’s most widely-consumed drug, I will be advocating for Auckland Central. As always, if you’re interested in these laws or anything else happening in Parliament or the electorate, don’t hesitate to drop my office a line.

Thinking globally and acting locally, I’ve also been honoured to spend the summer break working with the Iranian community and supporting allies on sponsoring rapper Toomaj Salehi, one of the 18,000 political prisoners held on baseless charges by the Islamic Republic of Iran. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere – if you would like to help, our local Iranian community would welcome any support in keeping the spotlight on the violence and abuses of human rights they face in their fight for freedom and democracy.

Here's to another big year of progress, community-building and making great things happen together. We’d love to hear from you in our office along Karangahape Road if you would like to muck in! (CHLÖE

SWARBRICK)

 PN

CHLÖE SWARBRICK, T: 09 378 4810, E: chloe.swarbrick@parliament.govt.nz www.greens.org.nz/chloe_swarbrick

UNDERSTANDING RELATIONSHIP PROPERTY: MAC AND ABI’S JOURNEY

Mac and Abi had been going out together for a year before they moved in together.

Tammy McLeod

Abi owned her own home, and they were spending so much time together it seemed (unromantically) the most economic thing to do. Abi had bought the house using her Kiwisaver and an inheritance she had received from her grandmother. She also had a mortgage which she was managing on her own, but it would be nice to receive some rent from Mac to assist with the re-payments.

Abi’s parents were keen for her to protect her house in case she and Mac split up. While they liked Mac and knew Abi felt Mac was the person she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, they had heard horror stories from their friends whose children had moved in with their partners and then had to split assets 50/50 when they separated later. They suggested that Abi go and see their lawyer to set up a trust for her to transfer the property to.

Abi went to see the lawyer who explained that as she and Mac were already in a de facto relationship, despite the fact it had been less than three years, it was too late to set up a trust. Any transfer of relationship property to a trust during a relationship would not protect the asset. The lawyer also explained that even if Abi had set up a trust prior to the relationship, she would still recommend that Abi enter into a Contracting Out Agreement (like a pre-nup) to absolutely protect the property. She said that otherwise any contribution that Mac made whether financially or other could be considered a contribution to the property and he could have a claim.

Abi was surprised to learn that even though she owned all the property before she had even met Mac, it would be considered their family home when he moved in, and he could have a claim even on the bit that she had prior to the relationship. She was more surprised to learn that even the

time they hadn’t been living together full time could possibly count as being the three years required to have a qualifying relationship under the law. She had thought that the time would only run from when they started permanently living together. The lawyer said that many people got caught thinking they weren’t in a proper de facto relationship, when in the eyes of the law, they were.

Abi learned what other assets would also be relationship property, including income and any KiwiSaver accumulated during the relationship. Mac had a well-paying job and got regular bonuses – those bonuses and of course his income would also be relationship property, so Abi thought it may be in Mac’s best interests to enter into a Contracting Out Agreement as well. Inheritance and gifts from third parties (eg distributions from her parents’ trust) would be separate property, provided that they were kept separate. Putting those assets into a joint bank account or using inherited funds to pay off relationship debt (for example, paying some money off the mortgage on the family home) was enough to mix any separate property with relationship property and it wouldn’t be able to be considered separate anymore without a Contracting Out Agreement.

The other important point was that the right to 50% of relationship property was not only upon separation, but also in the event that one party died. So, without the agreement, if Abi died, Mac would have a claim to 50% of her house, regardless of what her Will said.

All of this sounded like a difficult thing to raise with Mac, but the lawyer told Abi that Contracting Out Agreements were very common these days and most people understood the reasons behind them. She said that it was much easier to discuss it earlier on in the relationship and it could be more difficult to raise as time went on.

The modern reality is that a lot more relationships are potentially de facto relationships under New Zealand legislation. Without a Contracting Out Agreement your assets could be at risk.

Understanding Relationship Property.

The protection of assets that we have all worked so hard to acquire is an important consideration for most people.

Income, property, Kiwisaver, intermingled inheritances and gifts from third parties are all considered relationship property when in a de facto relationship - unless both parties have entered into a Contracting Out Agreement. Without one, relationship property would be shared equally upon separation, or even the death of one party, regardless of what anyone’s will said.

Know when your relationship is considered a de facto relationship under New Zealand legislation and protect your assets with a Contracting Out Agreement. Contact Tammy McLeod or one of her team for specialist advice.

CRAFTED LEGAL ADVICE FOR PEACE OF MIND.

LISA PRAGER:

SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER

As a self proclaimed advocate of democracy I’ve never found it hard to speak truth to power.

For kicks, I often go to council meetings, so I was there when journalists rushed to surround new Mayor Wayne Brown at tea break during the special meeting on the annual budget just before Christmas.

Mr Fixit had looked over the council budget and suggested numerous cuts and savings to achieve the aim of recovering a $295 million dollar shortfall caused by rampant inflation and escalating interest rates.

‘If it bleeds, it leads’ is the media motto. So instead of the media explaining the next step in the consultation process, where the public are invited to comment on any aspect of the budget, they inferred that cuts were coming to the services we all love and value. They created an atmosphere of fear and misinformation portraying Mr Fixit as Mr Hatchet. But let me tell you from experience, nothing moves that fast at council.

From March until June there is time to read the budget, comprehend the numbers, make suggestions, speak at local board meetings, write a submission or fill in an online questionnaire. If you care, can find the time, if you realise that suggestions made by citizens can change how a city is funded and operates, please make it your goal this year to participate a little more in local politics.

The mayor’s proposal within the annual budget stands out like a lone beacon flashing a warning light on the windswept waves of our city finances. Like him or loathe him, Mayor Brown has cast his net across the council controlled organisations suggesting cuts and savings of $25 million from Auckland Transport, $27.5 million from Auckland Unlimited and $5 million from Eke Panuku Development.

Personally, I think we could cut $250 million from Auckland Transport’s $3 billion yearly budget to help plug the city’s $295 million shortfall.

Recently I discovered that the average cost to create, maintain and renew 1km of urban road in Auckland is approximately $60,000 per year.

This includes costs associated with: road, pavements, surfaces, kerb, channel and road sweeping. Given there is approximately 7,000 km of roads in the Auckland region I calculated that the cost to manage and maintain all our existing roads would be approximately $420,000,000 per annum. This is just one sixth of AT’s annual budget which leaves heaps to spend on mending the crumbling roads and broken footpaths in Rodney, Franklin and Waitakere.

(LISA PRAGER)  PN

TŪPUNA MAUNGA AUTHORIY CONSULTATION & BUDGET

Following on from the article in May 2022 Ponsonby News: ‘How does the Owairaka Appeal Court decision affect us elsewhere in Auckland?’

Following the Appeal Court decision, that Tūpuna Maunga Authority had acted unlawfully in failing to adequately consult as required by the Reserves Act, the TMA amended their “Integrated Management Plan’ and sent it out for consultation again. Instead of just talking about “slowing cloaking the maunga in natives”, it admitted the plan to remove all ‘exotic trees’ from all 14 maunga, and even some “natives from the slopes”. Considering volcanic slopes are mostly slopes, that declaration was even worse than uncovered before.

In response there were 1,582 submissions in October 2022, with an overwhelming proportion against tree felling, including Ngâti Whatua, with only 88 supporters to fell. Örakei, Howick, Albert-Eden, Papakura, Maungakiekie-Tamaki and Otara-Papatoetoe Local Boards made submissions, as did protection groups ‘Honour the Maunga’ for Ōwairaka and ‘Respect Mount Richmond Otahuhu’, who campaigned for public engagement. All persons who sought to present their submissions in-person were offered the opportunity to do so and 48 persons attended and spoke to their submissions.

Following this process, the TMA passed a resolution to remove many ‘exotic’ trees from the cull. Whilst that still needs to be quantified in real terms with lists and maps, it in part recognises the huge public opposition to this destruction of habitat. It is too late for Maungarei / Mt Wellington, Ōhuiarangi / Pigeon Mountain and Te Ara Pueru / Te Paneo-Mataaho / Mangere Mountain who have already been stripped of their non-native trees and bird song. And the tree felling on Mangere Mountain cost nearly $1million.

The question remains: despite assurance in the decision to save some of these trees, why is that not reflected in the TMA’s draft budget? The Tūpuna Maunga Authority, have only suggested a 2% saving in their operational budget and no change within their capital expenditure budget (the latter includes felling). The total budget for 2022-23 $12.475 million; 2023-24 $12.878 million; and 2024-25 $13.522 million, rising each year.

So after ratepayer paid $1.4 million in legal costs to defend this Judicial Review, the bigger question remains: with a fiscal hole of nearly $300 million, why are any trees being felled at all?

Consultation occurs on the TMA Annual Budget within the Auckland Council draft budget and separately by the TMA. Say “NO TREE FELLING” when that consultation process begins in March.

Gael Baldock, Community Advocate

KEN RING: WEATHER BY THE MOON

Auckland weather diary, February 2023

February may see only half the average rain, with average sunshine.

A heat wave may describe the first half. The first week may be driest with highest pressures, the second week may contain the hottest days of summer, the third week brings some relief with cloudy skies and lowest pressures, and the last week may be the wettest and coolest. The best weekend for outdoor activities may be 4th/5th. During February, the barometer may average around 1016mbs.

For fishers, the highest tides (and for 2023) are around 22nd. Best fishing bite-times in the east are around dusk on 5th - 7th and 19th - 22nd. Bite-chances are also good for noon of 13th - 15th and 26th -28th.

For gardeners, planting is best (waxing moon ascending) on 3rd and 4th; and pruning on 17th and 18th (waning moon

descending). For preserving and longer shelf-life, pick crops or flowers around the neap tide of 15th.

Allow 24-hour error for all forecasting. (KEN RING)  PN

For future weather for any date, and the 2023 NZ Weather Almanac, see www.predictweather.com

Opinions expressed in Ponsonby News are not always the opinion of Alchemy Media Limited & Ponsonby News.

LEYS LITTLE LIBRARY NEWS

Kia ora Ponsonby. Ngā mihi o te tau hou, Happy New Year and Welcome to 2023.

Now that we have enjoyed the long weekends the summer offers it is time to return to our regular programming, which means Wriggle and Rhyme returns after Waitangi weekend. Wriggle and Rhyme is on every Wednesday during term time 10am and 11am at the Ponsonby Baptist Church Hall on the corner of Jervois Road and Seymour Street. Join us for a half hour session of music and movement and fun for you and your baby, toddler, or pre-schooler.

The month of February brings with it the Auckland Pride Festival, which Waitematā libraries are proud to be taking part in. As well as the fun events listed below, did you know that you can update your details at the library to match you? All it takes is a quick chat with one of our staff and you can change your preferred name, gender, as well as your email, phone number or address. Just pop to the library and talk to one of us; we can even sort you out with a new library card if you’d like.

Rainbow library book swap:

Saturday, 4 February, 2pm at Parnell Library. This Pride Month join Parnell Library for an afternoon of rainbow book chats! Bring a list of your favourite queer books to recommend. A curated list of books will be available for check out.

Rainbow Rhymetime: Wednesday, 8 February, 11am at Parnell Library & Friday, 17 February, 10:30am at All Saints Church lawn, Ponsonby Road.

Join us for a special Rainbow Rhymetime celebrating acceptance, diversity, and uniqueness. All Rhymetime session are fabulous but this one will be like no other with stories, music and fun games.

Sisters Gay Investigate... Private Eyes:

Thursday, 16 February, 6:30pm at Grey Lynn Library. Which would you choose, villainy or justice? Pursue either or both in this 2023 literary salon (aka Storytime) for grownups and other family. Rendezvous with our intrepid heroines to detect dangerous liaisons, reveal the romance of mystery, and make the catch/match of the day. Held in association with the samesame but different.

Poetry Speakeasy:

Wednesday, 22 February, 5pm at Grey Lynn Library. Samesame but different and Auckland Libraries Leys Institute present the eighth PRIDE Poetry Speakeasy and Open Mic, with guest poet Tate Fountain, author of the recently released Short Films (We Are Babies Press), and host Michael Giacon. Come along to read, listen, and enjoy in a welcoming queer word nest.

Movie Night:

Friday, 24 February, 5:30pm at Grey Lynn Library. Waitematā libraries are closing out our Pride events with a movie night in the Grey Lynn Library Hall. We promise popcorn and fabulousness. For further details drop in to one of our libraries or check our FB Pages.

We are also planning to put up a new display on the fence outside the Leys Institute which shall also have a pride theme. So keep an eye out next time you stroll past the old gal.

Lastly a little update about the Leys Institute restoration. Thank you for coming to the library and having your say on the proposed concept designs for the restoration of Leys Institute. We received an incredible 350 responses to the feedback! You told us you preferred design 1 (83% of people) and that a narrow majority of you agreed with a targeted rate (52% of people). You also told us lots of valuable information about why you love the Leys Institute building and how you’d like to use it. We really appreciate this!

The project team have shared the results with the Waitematā Local Board to help them decide on the design and funding for the restoration of the Leys Institute and keep working hard to restore this taonga to the community. (Chloë - Manager Community Library - Pouārahi, Pātaka Kōrero ā-Hapori)

Monday- Friday 9am- 6pm, Saturday 9am – 4pm, Sunday closed.  PN

LEYS INSTITUTE LITTLE LIBRARY, 14 Jervois Road, T: 09 377 0209, www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz

ROSS THORBY: THE HAWKE’S BAY - A PLACE TO WATCH THE SEASONS CHANGE

Have you ever wondered what happens to those who have left Tamaki Makaurau’s soothing bosom - those friends who have fled to parts unknown somewhere south of the Bombay’s citing our fair city’s crime, high prices and the ramifications of living in a Christmas-centric and light-laden street - refugees from our comfy insularity who seemingly disappear from our lives only to reappear periodically to reacquaint themselves (and us) with the pleasures of SPQR and our Ponsonby Road coffee culture?

What happens when the excitement and thrill of buying a large mansion with the proceeds of a Freemans Bay villa has faded, curious city visitors have started to dissipate, and all of the packing boxes have been retired to the recycle bin?

A few years ago some dear friends left the asylum of our fair city and moved down-country to a small, one horse, beachside community - population 768. Nestled in the shadow of Cape Kidnappers, it consists of a pub, a dairy and more importantly for them, a vineyard. Here the resident population of Australian gannets outweighs that of humans and the sound of the one horse’s hooves on the town’s tar seal resonates mellifluously against the walls of the fallow holiday baches, vacant for the majority of the year. Car-lotta and I, finally relieved of the torture of the ‘Gentle Annie’, could almost glimpse the settlement from the heights of the range as we twisted and turned; they were so close we could almost reach out to them.

“Don't expect much," says my friend Janet, in that spontaneous phone-call, "it’s just a beachside bach, but we love it. Do come for lunch," – Janet - the queen of understatement.

The thought of a free lunch and an afternoon mired in debate about the intricacies of the New Zealand political system with those much more knowledgeable than myself and with much better political gossip than I could ever hope to garner on my own was too good an offer to turn down. Besides, it would be rude not to sample the results of the fermented grapes from across the road.

Situated out of the way of civilisation, isolated from motorways and congestion, crowds, graffiti and traffic lights, Car-lotta

and I drove past farms of maturing produce along a gentile landscape towards the towering reaches of “The Cape”. Peaceful undulating roads, edged by a multitude of trees of numerous species whose multicolored leaves had dropped onto the dark seal and swirled up in a cyclonic kaleidoscope of colours lined my way.

Set on the beach, the Ralston’s version of a bach sat hidden amongst a forest of flax and cabbage trees. At the bottom of their garden, visible from their floor to ceiling windows, rolled the tumbling surf of the Pacific; the waves crashing onto the pebbles almost drowning out the cacophony of gulls circling over the foaming spray. The beach, contained on one side by the towering reaches of Cape Kidnappers and on the other, an exhaustive distant horizon lay before us.

Their luxurious renovated ‘bach’ sports all of the mod cons you would expect in a city pad and yet deliberately contains only one bedroom - “you can’t be too careful,” Janet explained over the murmurings of an agreeing and sleepy Bill - happy in his hammock with a book and Panama hat lying across his stomach.

Reveling in secluded retirement away from the theatre of national politics, these two are enjoying the new tranquility of their lives, enjoying their paradise in peaceful anonymity. And why shouldn’t they? Far from the madding crowds, they seemingly have everything they need in this idyllic settingsolitude, fresh air and the symphony of nature resonating all around them.

Of course semi-retirement doesn’t totally preclude the temptation of local politics. Janet can’t help herself - the pull of the political maelstrom, too strong to let go just yet. Local politics is just as wayward here as it is in the big smoke. It’s not the size of the dog in the fight but it’s the size of the fight in the dog. Besides you need to keep your finger in the pie - you never know when the next wayward politico needs the expertise and steerage of an experienced media trainer. Something tells me with an election looming, those days are not too far away; but will it tempt them back to the hurly burly of the big smoke? I doubt it and I don’t blame them, I wouldn’t forsake this paradise either. (ROSS THORBY)  PN

AUCKLAND LIVE SUMMER IN THE SQUARE

This February, Auckland Live Summer in the Square is the place to be! FREE for the whole family to enjoy, Aotea Square will become a hive of summer activities celebrating the performing arts.

There will be four exciting, themed weekends.

At FIESTA IN THE SQUARE (Friday 3 – Sunday 5 February), you’re invited to join an explosion of Latin American culture and performances. Aotea Square will be filled with colourful costumes, sizzling sounds, delicious food, Latin dance classes, Zumba, DJs, live bands, and so much more.

Next up is BEATS IN THE SQUARE (Friday 10 – Saturday 11 February), which is guaranteed to satisfy all your cravings for smooth tunes and slick moves. Kicking off the weekend, join Rina Chae for an epic dance battle where teams will represent different parts of the world. On Saturday, catch local rising stars from Stand Up Stand Out (SUSO) alumni, plus headline act Che Fu will take to the stage alongside local DJs including Manuel Bundy. Plus, on the Auckland Live Digital Stage, the hit musical film ‘In The Heights’ will delight audiences of all ages.

Keen to experience tricks, flips, surprises, and fun? CIRCUS IN THE SQUARE (Friday 17 – Saturday 18 Februrary) is the one for you! Featuring the likes of The Dust Palace, Manubrium Circus and Flip n Fly, there is something for everyone, whether you want to catch a performance, have a go at some moves or catch the much-loved film ‘The Greatest Showman’ on a big outdoor screen. This weekend will have you on the edge of your seat and challenge your perception of everything a circus can be.

Rounding out a terrific month, PRIDE IN THE SQUARE (Friday 24 – Saturday 25 February) invites you to embrace all the queer joy at this bold and bright collision of Pride, summer, and performing arts. You can expect drag artists such as Miss Geena and Hugo Grrrl, music performers including Jason Parker and Valkyrie, as well as DJs and more at this celebration of all celebrations. Plus, there will be plenty of opportunities for rainbow families and rangatahi to get involved, from community conversations to live spoken word poetry and queer documentaries.

Midweek, HAKA ON THE SCREEN (Wednesday 8 – Thursday 23 February), will showcase a digital celebration of Kapa Haka on the Auckland Live Digital Stage during the lead-up to Te Matatini, the pinnacle event for Māori performing arts.

So, whether you want to Cha-Cha, cartwheel, celebrate, groove, or kick back and soak up the last of the sunshine, Auckland Live Summer in the Square has got you covered!

www.aucklandlive.co.nz

photography: Sam Sutherland

photography: Sacha Stejko

PONSONBY PARK+ FEBRUARY 2023 UPDATE

Happy New Year everyone, despite it already being February! We hope the holiday season even though wet, nonetheless enabled you all to be rested and restored for the busy year ahead.

The Community-Led Design (CLD) group is excited as we commence 2023 as this is the year that physical work will, at last, begins on-site at 254 Ponsonby Road. As per the council timeline below, Phase 1 physical works are scheduled to commence in July 2023. BRILLIANT!

Council timeline for the two phase development of the new civic space at 254 Ponsonby Road.

It was (way) back in March 2016 that the Waitematā Local Board first embarked on the CLD process to establish Ponsonby Park, the new civic space at 254 Ponsonby Road. They did so to ensure the creation of an urban space that matched the needs of the local residents, the local businesses, and visitors to the area. Next month our volunteer CLD group will have been working for 7 years to successfully bring about the new civic space, so we are thrilled the start of the physical realisation of the project is imminent.

We congratulate both the Waitematā Local Board and Auckland Council for their vision and foresight in returning to the two-phased approach for the development of Ponsonby Park. Doing so has resulted in a great outcome for everyone with the first phase of the development funded and now well underway.

By all metrics, the CLD process has been hugely successful and has resulted in the (international award-winning) LandLAB, Park+ design*. Our thanks to LandLAB and everyone who has participated in the process to date.

· 1243 people signed the petition for a ‘whole-of-site’ open space

698 people responded to the WLB’s 254 Ponsonby Road consultation

190 people responded to the 1st CLD consultation

115 people responded to the 2nd CLD consultation

1208 people responded to the 3rd CLD consultation

With social connectedness increasingly important and relevant to us all, Ponsonby Park will be the common ground that enables everyone to come together to rest, relax and recreate. A place to meet new people or catch up with old friends, to enjoy some of the many activities, exhibitions and markets that the civic space will be able to host. These are the very things that build and nurture a community and is why Ponsonby Park is precisely the infrastructure and amenity the community has shown that they want and need. Along with the essential climate mitigation that it will also provide, the development of Ponsonby Park will create a new focus for the neighbourhood and it will be an attractor to the Ponsonby area that will also support and help revitalise our local businesses.

The Ponsonby Park development will commence in July 2023 - EXCITING! (JENNIFER WARD)  PN

Bring it on!

*In November 2018 LandLAB’s Park+ design won the international ‘World Architecture News – Future Civic category’ award.

It was also shortlisted at the prestigious ‘World Architecture Festival’ in the “Future Civic” category. We look forward to the project winning the completed awards in due course too!

** The design concept images are those featured on this page.

www.254ponsonbyrd.org.nz

MELISSA LEE: HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Over summer, while many of us got to have a break on holiday around New Zealand or in some of our amazing recreational spaces across the Auckland Region, I was talking to shop owners and communities about the issues facing them and their families.

People have been struggling this summer as mortgage rates and the cost of living hit their incomes during a time when prices are soaring, and times are getting tough. For the first time in three years many Kiwis have hoped to host friends and family for summer BBQs or afternoon picnics but with the cost of meat increasing by 11 percent in the past 12 months, and fruit and vegetable prices increasing 23 percent, some of the highest annual increases since 1990 in food prices, people are struggling to even celebrate the summer with their loved ones.

This is unacceptable as the government continues to waste public money on unneeded programmes such as the RNZ/ TVNZ merger, Three Waters and fail to deliver tax relief to struggling New Zealand households.

I also want to acknowledge the recent decision by Jacinda Ardern to resign as Prime Minister and stepping down as MP for Mt Albert later this year in April. While we have significant differences in views on the future of New Zealand and this special Auckland community, I know she has given service to the people of our country and deserves our respect. I wish her the very best for the future.

While Mt Albert won’t have an electorate MP in parliament for the remainder of this parliament as a list MP based in Auckland, my parliamentary office in Epsom at 107 Great South Road will be available for constituency support for those that need help. I am also incredibly pleased to confirm I will be contesting the Mt Albert electorate again at the 14 October election as the National Party candidate.

New Zealanders are doing it tough and a change in prime minister to Chris Hipkins won’t fix it under Labour. It is time for National to lead government again and for New Zealand to get back on track. It’s clear that nearly six years of Labour have seen our health system overwhelmed, our educational achievements dropping and with rising crime and a cost-of-living crisis they have failed to deliver what New Zealanders need. National will get things done for the future of New Zealand.

In my maiden speech back in 2008 I told our parliament We are far too small a nation to be divisive. We must work together to decide who we are as a nation, and work together to achieve where we want to be in the future.

As we look ahead in 2023 to where we wish to be as a country, we must be mindful to end divisions and make New Zealand a welcoming country for all. 2023 must be the year crime stops on the streets and in the storefronts of Auckland. It needs to be a year racism ends and friendship begins anew. As a member of parliament and fellow New Zealand citizen, I look forward in embracing this endeavour over the months to come.

As we look ahead to the dissolution of parliament in early September and the election on 14 October, it is clear the next government will have an important job to do turning the economic slump around and getting New Zealand back to being a rockstar economy. We are a nation of dreamers, doers and innovators and we can restore business confidence, stop the brain drain, make New Zealand an attractive country for people to work and grow their lives in without fear of harm and crime. Above all we can restore New Zealand as an amazing country to build our futures in.

It’s time to believe in New Zealand again. (MELISSA LEE MP)

National Member of Parliament. National Spokesperson for Broadcasting & Media| Digital Economy and Communications | Ethnic Communities

E: mplee@parliament.govt.nz

Authorised by Melissa Lee, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

Authorised by Melissa Lee, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

FINALLY, THERE IS A REAL ALTERNATIVE TO GLYPHOSATE

A local company, based in Ponsonby, Safe Weed Control is providing a new chemical free, organic and non toxic weed control service to local residents.

Foamstream works on a wide variety of common weeds as well as moss, algae and lichen. Its dual purpose, low pressure heat application also means it works well as a stone and timber cleaner.

The foam is made from natural plant oils and sugars making it safe for use around people, animals and delicate environments. It is biodegradable and good for the planet.

The active ingredient in Foamstream is the heat from the hot water. The foam insulates the hot water, ensuring the heat is not lost to the atmosphere. This ensures the heat covers the plant for long enough for it to kill or severely damage the plant.

The company, uses technology by WeedingTech, who produce Foamstream. They are working with councils and contractors around the country to provide an alternative to chemical herbicide use in our public spaces, with machines now working in both Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Safe Weed Control is designed to offer a service to the residential market. This means the technology is no longer restricted to larger contractors using the tech for commercial purposes.

Owner Matt Kirby is knowledgeable and approachable. As a resident told us, “I contracted Matt to try the process out on some of my most recalcitrant weeds at home. Spraying brick and paved paths proved very effective. Weeds were killed dead in a couple of days.”

Ponsonby News will keep pestering the council until glyphosate is finally banned. Good luck Matt Kirby with your much needed alternative.

www.weedingtech.com/nz www.safeweedcontrol.co.nz

photography: Connor Crawford

now $149.50

Wall Clock was $59.00 now $29.50

*Sale prices valid from 09/02/23 to 26/02/23. Stock varies between stores, only while stocks last. www.frenchcountry.co.nz

1. Round Marble Cake Stand was $299.00

2. Criss Cross Marble Coffee Table was $710.00 now $426.00

3. Emery Ridged Antique Gold Mirror was $499.00 now $299.40

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2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

4. Clock Makers

5. Cairo Textured Bowl on Legs was $79.00 now $39.50

6. Cross Cut Footed Vase was $99.00 now $49.50

GAEL BALDOCK: TE REO - USE OF MACRONS

Above a water cooler were the words “Wai māori”. I had to ask the meaning: Māori-to-English internet translator said “natural water”; and a te reo speaking friend said “fresh water”.

He explained that the word “māori” meant “ordinary, average, natural, normal” people as everyone’s pepeha told the real story of that person’s iwi, mountain and river. In law, until 1948 ‘Native Peoples’ was used and this changed to “Māori”.

Te Reo literally translates as “the language”. There was originally no native writing system for Māori. Early explorers and missionaries attempted to define the sounds of the language in written form using the Latin alphabet with varying degrees of success. In 1817, Professor Samuel Lee of Cambridge University worked with Ngāpuhi chief Tītore and his relative Tui, then Ngāpuhi chief Hongi Hika and his relative, Waikato.

By 1830 the Church Missionary Society missionaries had revised the orthography for writing to modern spelling and added the ‘wh’ “to distinguish the voiceless bilabial fricative phoneme from the labio-velar phoneme /w/; and the consistent marking of long vowels.”

“The modern Māori alphabet has 15 letters, two of which are digraphs (character pairs). The five vowels have both short and long forms, with the long forms denoted by macrons marked above them. The order of the alphabet is as follows:

How many times do we write Maori rather than Māori was my next question - when to use macrons?

Dame Naida Glavish pointed out that the first version of the Bible in Te Reo didn’t have a single macron. Of course typewriters didn’t have macrons, nor do all computers, but typefaces could be made with them.

“Dialect in reo is a tribal identity and macrons are used to help non reo speakers to know where to place emphasis for grammatical purposes.” South Island reo tends to use double vowels instead of macrons so write “Maaori” and an underlined k instead of ‘ng’. Letter ‘L’ and ‘G’ are also used in

Southern dialect, though not in standard Māori. Macrons only became in common usage once Te Reo was taught at University in 1960. The New Zealand Geographic Board (Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa) began using macrons on official place names in the 1990s. Macrons were typically not used on maps because they could be misinterpreted as cartographic symbols.

Without macrons the meaning changes considerably: ata = morning / āta = carefully; keke = cake / kēkē = armpit; mana = prestige / māna = for him/her; manu = bird / mānu = to float; tatari = to wait for / tātari = to filter or analyse; tui = to sew / tūī = parson bird; wahine = woman / wāhine = women. [Wikipedia]

The English language takes on new words and assimilates words from other languages. We used to talk about ‘tidal waves’ and then adopted the Japanese word “tsunami’. Shakespeare invented 100s of words, including my favourite, “bubble”, one of the most used words in lockdown. Growing up ‘gay’ only meant “happy”. Issac Asimov coined the word “robot” from the Slav word that meant ‘slave’. Instead Maori uses transliteration where for example the word ‘cake’ becomes “keke” and ‘monkey’ becomes “makimaki” and ‘Christian’ becomes “Karaitiana”.

So English being a sponge taking on other language has Te Reo words that are recognised in other countries: haka; tiki; Maui; Kiwi, pohutakawa (and some of our other birds and plants). What we forget when we use these words are often the macron and that they can’t have plurals, so the plural of tūī is still tūī. Words can also have several meanings, so whilst “hapu” means ‘sub-tribe’ is also means ‘pregnant’.

Confused? Whilst Te Reo Māori wasn’t a written language, it is complex. As I’m not a speaker of Te Reo Māori, I use macron when I know about them and don’t mean any offence by not using them. (GAEL BALDOCK, communit y advocate)

Safe speeds save lives

Speed limits around Central Auckland schools are changing on 2 March 2023.

The safe and appropriate speed for around schools is 30km/h. Let’s make it safer for children to walk, scooter or cycle to school.

To see the full schools list, visit AT.govt.nz/schoolspeedlimits

Here’s why:

Impact Speed km/h

Risk of Death

HELEN WHITE: LABOUR LIST MP BASED IN AUCKLAND CENTRAL

This month’s issue is all about wellbeing. In this community I am particularly concerned about the wellbeing of our older residents.

I moved to Freemans Bay when I was three years old. My parents loved moving here from Kawerau, which is a very small town. They loved living in the city because it was so stimulating. I went to school across the road in bare feet and my mother was the chair of the school board. She introduced healthy lunches, much to my shame at the time. I was quite fond of custard pies and white bread, but from that point on everyone had to put up with brown bread and less sugar.

My parents are now 83 and 91 and still live in Freemans Bay, which I think is great for their mental health because this is their community and it has so many connections. This makes me very conscious of the realities of aging in Auckland Central. Undoubtedly there are great things about living in the centre of the city but I appreciate it hasn’t been the easiest time to be old in the community. Especially during the pandemic, which has brought isolation and strained our health services.

My father has a hearing difficulty and despite being fit he has found it hard to navigate the supports he and my mother need to continue to live independently. The Labour Party has produced a helpful booklet entitled ’Guide to Services in the Community’ for older people.

It traverses everything from community services card applications, disability allowances, accommodation supplements, modification grants, superannuation and mental health support. I have copies available for anyone who would like one, feel free to enquire via my email helen.white@parliament.govt.nz

This booklet includes a few things which I think are particularly important to remember. For one, if you are struggling to pay your rates, know you are not alone. There is a rates rebate scheme available should you need help. The funding for this comes from government to offset the cost of rates, if you are on a low income. Those earning up to $28,080 are eligible to claim the full amount. Otherwise, if you earn more than this you may be eligible for a partial rebate. If you have any questions or want to check your eligibility ring the Department of Internal Affairs on 0800 25 78 87.

If you are struggling day-to-day with tasks such as self-care and housework, community care for older people is available. It starts with a needs assessment to determine the amount and type of support you need. You can enquire through your GP or www.nznasca.co.nz

The Winter Energy Payment is paid to all superannuitants. Keeping people warm and healthy during winter has been a priority for this government, and this is what this payment sets out to achieve. The payment will be paid automatically from 1 May until 1 October. Lots of us grew up thinking cold houses were something we just had to put up with, but it’s really a matter of staying healthy.

When you turn 65 you can get a shingles vaccine, so make sure you diarise that, if you want one. People over 65 can be vaccinated free against influenza, tetanus, whooping cough, and diphtheria, and of course Covid. You will also be able to get anti-virals if you get sick with Covid. The best place to start is to go to your GP or you can call the Covid Healthline on 0800 358 5453. (HELEN WHITE)  PN

[CG1]Shingles vaccine is only available at 65 (i.e. before you turn 66)

www.labour.org.nz/helenwhite

This article is funded by Parliamentary Services.

PONSONBY U3A: DECEMBER 2022

Of mirth and merriment!

At its December meeting with new president Dr Ian Smith presiding, Ponsonby U3A closed out the year in a room filled with rollicking good spirits, laughter, and fun. Old friends were reunited, former acquaintanceships were renewed, and new friendships were forged. And it was all generated from within by members themselves. This was the annual Christmas party, and no speakers were arranged.

The day started with a ‘true or false’ game. Members, seated at tables of eight, took it in turns to tell a story about themselves, a story which could be true or false and others had to decide which option. Preposterous stories flew around the room! Revelations abounded, assumptions were smashed, and reputations came close to ruin! Equally revealing and hilarity promoting came a very cerebral quiz where tables of members were pitted against each other.

Lunch followed and, as members sat about, talk gravitated to what had been experienced throughout the year. Members discussed the wonderful smorgasbord of special interest groups available, and the new ones planned for 2023. They reflected on the excellent speakers that had been arranged by member, Marianne Willison in the past year and the exciting line-up Marianne has planned for next year.

Marianne has been in the role of sourcing Ponsonby U3A’s outstanding speakers for years. She never fails to deliver. Not only does she source the ideas for riveting speakers, Marianne consults with members and organises the logistics. Ponsonby U3A is indebted to her for her ongoing contribution.

U3A is an abbreviation of the French words for University of the Third Age, (although in New Zealand it must only be referred to as U3A without reference to the word university) meaning that period when there is more time for exploring one’s interests and further education. Starting in France at Toulouse University in 1972, the movement has spread around the world.

Ponsonby U3A has at its core an emphasis on imparting new knowledge and skills, anchored in a spirit of friendship, informality, and fun. Visitors and new members are welcome. You may be new to the area, a bit lonely or at a point in your life where you are looking for fresh interests and challenges. There is a meeting on the second Friday of each month (except January) at the delightful hall and surroundings of the Herne Bay Petanque Club. A guest speaker drawn from

diverse spheres of endeavour is show-cased each month. As well, a member gives a ten-minute presentation on their life and interests, enabling other members to learn more about the talented and creative individuals in their midst.

At the heart of the club are the nearly thirty special interest or study groups that meet once a month. Members are encouraged to join and can choose one or more such groups covering about thirty different topics. Usually held in small groups in people’s homes, this is where the learning and the friendships are made. Topics include gardening, public art walks, gallery visits, dining out, armchair travel, the Ramblers (who gallivant all over the city and beyond), writing, drawing, current affairs, antiques and collectibles, history, and architecture to name a few.

Ponsonby U3A welcomes newcomers. If you are interested in attending, first as a visitor, please call President Ian Smith on M: 021 130 2330. (CHRISTINE HART)  PN

NEXT MEETING: FRIDAY, 10 February at 9.30am.

GUEST SPEAKER: John Reynolds, on ‘Early New Zealand Film'.

VENUE: Herne Bay Petanque Club, 19 Salisbury Street, Herne Bay.

ENQUIRIES: Ian Smith, President, Ponsonby U3A. M: 021 130 2330 www.u3a.nz

Marianne Willison

HELENE RAVLICH:

LOCAL WELLNESS… REIMAGINED FOR 2023

If you’re trying to make a big change, thinking about its large scale will only stress you out and make you freeze in fear. The key is to break it down into mini-goals or milestones, especially when it comes to committing to new fitness and wellness practices.

Thankfully, fitness trends in 2023 point towards taking a more holistic approach to training and mindful movement, looking at the bigger picture to improve your health and wellbeing overall. A balanced diet is one of many pieces that build the holistic style of training that will be more common in 2023, but it’s not just about taking an hour in the gym and watching what you eat anymore—the mind and soul will be integral, too. More than anything else, 2023 will see people making their fitness practice an integral, interconnected part of their everyday lives, not just something they do for an hour when they remember to go to the gym.

A local studio who have been taking this approach since they first opened their doors on Brown Street in Ponsonby several years ago is Sala, which has now morphed into Sala 2.0 with the integration of even more fitness modalities as well as an even greater sense of community.

UK-born Sarah Lindsay is the woman behind the boutique fitness studio, which offers everything from (what I believe to be) the city’s best barre classes to yoga, HIIT Pilates, strength training, Pilates reformer classes and more. She says that Sala’s vision has evolved over time, “and we take a curious, open-minded, and service-centric approach to the work we do. We ask questions about all of it. We believe movement is just one limb of a multi-dimensional approach to living a life well. Everyone deserves to feel good in their body and mind, and we want to help get you there.”

Sala’s multidisciplinary approach to wellness looks to bridge the mind-body connection, and their revamped and refreshed studio aims to do all that and more. A huge refurbishment took place over the holiday period, which includes a new look yoga studio called the Solar Room. Home to yoga, meditation and more restorative classes, it is inspired by “the light of illumination, which radiates within each of us”. Featuring cork flooring and an Angus Muir art installation, “the Solar Room embodies everything Sala represents as a community,” says Sarah, while the new Eclipse Room is where you’ll find the Pilates reformer classes just added to the schedule.

The room has an expansive feeling to it, with grey walls meeting the concrete floors to “give the same sense as looking out far into the horizon and feeling as though you could stretch out your arms and both touch everything and nothing at all at once”. Lastly, the Sunset Room features a large sun installation, reflecting the warmth cultivated by the barre and fitness classes that take place within it. Blackened mirrors reflect a duotone image of yourself and others, offering a calming, non-confrontational feeling to encourage far more freedom of movement.

Key to the re-envisioned Sala are community spaces, which include free Wi-Fi and an invitation to pull up a chair and crack open your laptop, as well as a koha Kōkako self-serve coffee station and beautifully curated store. “Whilst creating these spaces we questioned, how do we transform the energy of our movement practices into social action to benefit our wider communities?” elaborates Sarah. “Social action is the heart of our community spaces, and the koha from our coffee will be going towards a different charity each quarter. Our first charity is Birthright, which supports single-parent families.”

Sala's Sarah Lindsay

Photography: Sophia Doak

Sala's community space

By February many of our New Year’s resolutions may have fallen by the wayside, usually because the “go hard and go fast” approach just sets us up for failure.

Another local business – also oddly located on Brown Street – making waves in the wellness world is BePure, who have just unveiled a protein powder range with a difference.

A product once associated solely with boring gym bros and bulky muscles, protein powder is a non-negotiable in any daily routine, and essential for healthy ageing. However as aforementioned, it’s often been associated with oversized tubs, naff branding and rippling torsos and—if you’re not a hardcore gym-goer or athlete—it’s often intimidating. This is where the two newest releases from BePure come in: two premium protein powders - BePure Good Gut Protein and BePure Perfect Protein which are here to redefine the category and more.

Recent studies (based on older adults with a sedentary lifestyle) have found the average human needs a minimum of 1.2g of protein per kg daily. For the non-sedentary human this climbs to 1.4-1.6g/kg of body weight and for athletes this can increase to 1.6-2.2g/kg/body weight. Most people don’t consume anywhere near these quantities, and a protein powder provides the extra assurance you’re getting enough into your day to look and feel your best.

And like all things supplement and supplement-adjacent, when I’m looking for a protein powder, I want a high quality one from

a brand I trust, not just the cheapest, giant tub in the chemist or health store bargain bin. Lisa Walker, leading health specialist and clinic manager at BePure says: “Protein powder is great but not all are created equal. There’s so much disparity between brands, which many people aren’t aware of.”

“We searched high and low for a dairy-free protein powder that checked all the boxes a quality protein should and there were none we could find,” explains Walker, so the alwaysinspiring company set about making their own.

The BePure Protein Powder range is made from non-GMO golden pea protein, with added BCAAs and methionine for a complete protein profile, providing the essential amino acids that are missing from most non-whey protein powders. For those with dairy intolerances or sensitivities, whey can cause gut discomfort, skin breakouts, increased gas, and bloating. In more good news, BePure Protein Powders have all the benefits of whey but none of the unwanted effects of dairy.

BePure Protein Powders also have a minimum of 27g of protein per serve - most plant-based protein powders have under 20g – and I personally love that they come sustainably packaged in glass with refill options. BePure Good Gut Protein and Perfect Protein are available online and in store now, and come highly recommended. (HELENE RAVLICH)

WELLNESS WITH CHIA

Maintaining good health and wellbeing is something I am always striving for.

This can seem like an overwhelming, ongoing task, but any step in the right direction, no matter how small, is progress. In order for the body to work towards establishing equilibrium, I use a holistic, integrative approach which involves looking at current lifestyle, stress, sleep quality, diet, exercise and toxicity within the body. To kickstart your wellness journey, I strongly recommend a Functional Medicine Detox. I have found this to be a necessary step to quickly reduce the toxic load within the body.

A Functional Medicine Detox is an incredible way to allow for full body detoxification. This helps to restore key vitamins and nutrients and to help re-balance the body systems.

In our modern world, we are constantly being exposed knowingly and unknowingly to thousands of chemicals, toxins and pollutants on a daily basis through our environment, food, cosmetics, cleaning solutions, as well as day-to-day stress.

This exposure is too much for our body to handle and process. This means we end up with symptoms of disease. These symptoms present themselves as weight gain/loss, skin issues, fatigue, brain fog, digestive issues, food sensitivities, insomnia, imbalanced hormones, muscle weakness/stiffness, low mood and so much more.

The Functional Medicine Detox I use with my clients has been successfully used with over 100,000 people around the world. It gently eliminates harmful toxins while rebalancing the body at an underlying root cause level.

When people think about the word ‘detox’, weight loss is a common word that springs to mind. However, there are many more benefits to be aware of. Not only is a Functional

Medicine detox a powerful weight loss tool, it also…

· helps as an anti-aging and wellness solution

· helps to restore nutrient deficiencies while safely removing toxins provides complete nutritional support throughout includes Functional Medicine and Ayurvedic herbs which support Phase 1 & 2 liver detoxification.

We are using a subtractive method to lighten and reduce the toxic load within our body. This enables the body to then detoxify the blood through our liver at a faster degree.

We all deserve good health, energy, vitality and our ideal body. In my ideal world, I would want everyone to experience a Functional Medicine Detox as it is an incredible way to reset and rebalance your body and mind. Once you experience the positive effects that occur in a short space of time, you will want to implement a seasonal detox into your life just like I do. Think of this detox like a service for your car; you regularly service your car to prevent a breakdown and to maintain longevity of your vehicle. The same should be applied to our bodies!

Chia is a certified Integrative Health Practitioner and wellness coach. Her specialty is in helping her clients discover the underlying root cause of their symptoms. Chia provides the appropriate support to enable the body to re-balance and to help you achieve your wellness goals. This is done through a combination of Functional Lab Testing, Ayurvedic & Bioregulatory Medicine, Chinese Medicine, Eastern Philosophy, Traditional Naturopathy & Supplementation, Diet and Nutrition.

Contact information: T: 021 830 089, hello@wellnesswithchia.com, www.wellnesswithchia.com, @wellnesswithchia

WILLIAM GREIG: 2023 – FOR A HEALTHY MIND, BODY, AND SOUL

Active lifestyles for older adults.

Older people face a number of unique challengesbereavement, retirement, loss of independence, and the development of physical and mental conditions, all of which can increase the risk of later-life depression and physical aches and pains. But, as the Blow Monkeys sing, “It doesn’t have to be that way”.

We all know that exercise can benefit both our physical and mental health and that the levels of chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin, stress hormones and endorphins, change when we exercise. Not only can regular exercise help us sleep better and manage our mood, it can also distract us from depressing negative thoughts and provide opportunities to try new experiences.

While a good percentage of popular mainstream workouts are well-suited for younger adults looking to bulk up or shed weight in a hurry, such workouts are not ideal for older adults and may put an unhealthy strain on those of us with joint pain, atrophied muscles, posture problems or issues with balance.

Here are just three routines older adults can incorporate into having a healthier 2023 lifestyle.

Swimming: ‘You’re never a fish out of water’. The Tepid Baths 100 Customs St West. (Concessions for Seniors)

Swimming is a low impact and fun way to exercise; it has often been called the perfect exercise because it has several health benefits, including increased longevity.

It’s a great form of aerobic exercise/cardio without much impact on the joints, reducing the risk of joint damage and preventing worsening of damaged joints in conditions like arthritis. Swimming is an effective exercise for any age group. In one study of sedentary middle-aged men and women who did swim training for 12 weeks, maximal oxygen consumption improved 10% and stroke volume (the amount of blood pumped with each beat which indicates heart strength) improved as much as 18%. It improves endurance. And because it’s low impact, it can be continued for a lifetime.

Yoga: ‘Laughter is the best medicine’. Laughter Yoga, The Homestead, 92 Pt Chevalier RoadSaturday mornings 10:00am

“In Laughter Yoga, we don’t laugh because we are happy; we are happy because we laugh.” – Dr Madan Kataria, founder of Laughter Yoga.

When my elder sister, then in her late sixties, and I first went to the Ponsonby session (now held in Pt Chev) some time

ago, forcing laughter seemed a little strange, and as we all pranced around the room chanting, “Ho, Ho, Ha, Ha, Ha,” it did begin to feel we had entered a lunatic asylum. But very quickly as our muscles relaxed and our inhibitions left us, our mood changed and we began to laugh at everything!

Laughter yoga is not a comedy. “We don’t need to rely on jokes or humour to laugh. We initiate laughter as a form of exercise – and it turns into a form of genuine laughter when you practise,” says Dr Kataria, “we start just faking laughter and then people started laughing for real.”

Strength Training

According to my friend the gym trainer, muscle atrophy as we age doesn’t only happen because we age, but also happens because we stop exercising. Strengthening our muscles by doing regular dumbbell exercises for example has also been shown to alleviate the symptoms of diabetes, osteoporosis, back pain, and depression. Strength training also contributes to a higher metabolism and enhanced glucose control.

Dumbbell exercises are some of the best ways for seniors to strength train, as long as they are performed with the proper precautions. Dumbbells allow us to isolate muscle groups to strengthen, while improving balance and flexibility.

There are of course numerous other options to feed our mind, body, and soul in and around Ponsonby:

· ‘Regular’ Yoga: 2 classes for seniors are held at Grey Lynn Community Centre on Wednesday and Friday at 1pm - the classes are free for the over 65s. greylynn.org.nz

Pilates: www.peakpilates.co.nz/grey-lynn/

Meditation: 381 Richmond Rd. aucklandbuddhistcentre.org

· U3A or Probus www.u3a.nz - these groups are a great idea for networking and keeping the mind active.

Enquiries: Ian Smith, M: 021 130 2330

· Dancing - www.swingoutcentral.co.nz

Not to mention the good old fashion no-cost walk or bicycle ride.

So, older friends, we may be in for a bumpy ride this year in other ways, but whatever your current condition, taking control over your health can only smoothen the ride, and believe me, it isn’t as difficult as you at first might think.

Just do it! (WILLIAM GREIG)  PN

Freedom from nasty bunions

A non-invasive treatment is proving helpful for many bunion patients.

Bunions are a progressive deformity, and if not assessed early can get painful, claw your toes, affect your ability to move freely or even wear your favourite shoes. Many bunion patients have been told that there is nothing they can do apart from surgery.

Surgery is not the only option.

Bunion surgery involves implanting metal roads and screws to straighten the big toe joint. However, surgeries often lead to complications including infection, scarring, pain and inability to walk for months. Many sufferers who have had surgery notice their bunions return, and often worse than before.

A less invasive treatment can help.

My name is Shaun McCann, owner of Corrective Foot Solutions. Over the past six years since we’ve opened the doors, we’ve helped hundreds of bunion patients get rid of their bunion pain, improve toe deviation, wear more shoes and lead an active lifestyle without surgery.

We use Foot Mobilisation Therapy which is a gentle hands-on technique that corrects the cause of your bunion by working on the misalignments in the foot, as well as strengthening the weakened muscles around the joints. “I only wish I had found you sooner!”

We believe that the sooner a bunion is treated, the better the correction.

Have a FMT Podiatrist evaluate your bunion for only $35 (usually $105)

Call before 20 February 2023 and here’s what you will get...

-An in-depth consultation about your bunion

-A complete hands on joint assessment

-Gait analysis

-Answer all your probing questions

C all today on 09 212 9250

Level 3B, 272 Parnell Road

KEEP YOUR DISHWASHER GLEAMING

Is your dishwasher suffering from bad breath, a greasy complexion or an inability to perform effectively?

Looking after the health and wellbeing of your dishwasher will maximise its life, and ensure it’s better at looking after you and your whanau.

That gunk left in your sink and plug trap after handwashing dishes – it’s what your dishwasher has to deal with during a wash cycle. This clogs filters and spray arms, puts strain on pumps and impairs sensors.

Weekly: Top up your rinse aid dispenser to keep glasses streak-free.

Monthly: Remove and clean the drain filter with a brush and hot soapy water. Check the door seal, and remove goopy stuff.

Quarterly: Check the spray arms as their holes can get clogged. Your manual should show you how to clean them (a toothpick can work well).

Clean with vinegar to remove food, soap scum, grease and grime from the dishwasher and pipes. Fill a dishwasher-safe bowl with 1 cup of white vinegar and place it at the bottom of your empty dishwasher. This is important, as most dishwashers run their drain pump at the start of a cycle, which would flush your vinegar down the drain. Run on a hot water cycle. If the

dishwasher still smells, throw in a handful of baking soda and run it again.

While you’ll find specialist dishwasher cleaners at the supermarket, plain, cheap, readily available white vinegar works too. Caution: some manufacturers warn that vinegar’s acidity could cause damage over time. If in doubt, check your manual.

Trouble shooting: If you get an error code on the control panel, check your manual or turn to Google – often it’s a clogged filter (so water can’t drain) or a dirty sensor. Before calling your repairer, try thoroughly cleaning the dishwasher. It may resolve the issue.

Time to throw in the towel?

Even the best cared for dishwashers work hard, and eventually need to be put out to pasture. Manufacturers and repairers stock spare parts, so broken accessories like racks, seals, inlet valves etc. can often be replaced. But worn out or water damaged electronic controls may be trickier to fix with older models. It’s still worth getting a quote from your trusted appliance repairer. Keep in mind that newer models can be both quieter, and more efficient, in terms of both water and power consumption.

MEET JANE MCCULLOCH - YOUR LOCAL OSTEOPATH

We interviewed Jane McCulloch to tell us about her plans.

As she explains, “I am excited to share that I am now practising osteopathy from a beautiful clinic in Westmere.”

Osteopathy is the art of working with clients to achieve optimum function of your body, enabling you to move beyond pain. Each osteopathic treatment has the objective of relieving pain as well as addressing the cause of your symptoms, providing a holistic approach to your wellbeing.

“I bring to my osteopathic treatment a passion for people. I believe collaboration is the most effective approach to health. We will work together to bring about positive change in your health journey, aiming to return your body to a state where you can be active in family life, work, community and play.

“I have a special interest in visceral osteopathy and osteopathy in the cranial field; these are gentle and effective treatment techniques. When you are experiencing pain, it can be beneficial to take a gentle approach, allowing the body to calmly work its way back to a more harmonious state. By avoiding applying more stress, the body responds in kind. Visceral osteopathy and osteopathy in the cranial field can be offered as stand-alone treatment or combined with other osteopathic techniques.

“Osteopathy can be an effective treatment for many things, including back and neck pain, sciatica, headaches and migraines, jaw pain, gut issues, and chronic pain. I am an ACC registered treatment provider; no referral is needed from your doctor. I can refer you for X-ray or ultrasound if indicated.”

For individualised, professional treatment focused on your wellbeing, book an appointment today.

T: 021 640 141

osteojane@gmail.com

www.janemccullochosteopath.com

jane_mcculloch_osteopath

Jane McCulloch Osteopath

CAIT

MCLENNAN WHYTE:

DANCE TO LIVE

Michael Parmenter MNZM, has been a giant in the New Zealand contemporary dance scene for decades.

Dancer, choreographer, teacher, Arts Foundation Laureate 2010, and creator of magnificent dance theatre works, Michael has interpreted some of life’s most challenging themes, incorporating Greek myths, Biblical stories and New Zealand history.

A recent collaboration with Lucy Marinkovich, presented at the New Zealand Arts Festival 2020 and again at the Auckland Arts Festival in 2021, was inspired by the intriguing tale of a dance plague that beset the French town of Strasbourg in 1518 when the citizens came out of their homes and danced in the streets for days - as if entranced. But this was a rebellion of sorts – a peoples’ rising against injustice and power imbalance - a dance of the times, a dance for life.

Parmenter has become a student of this connection of people and dance and its potential to powerfully impact our sense of community and humanity. Already an experienced Tango dancer, other forms of social dance have become his most recent passion. While working on his PhD at the Paris Sorbonne, he discovered Balfolk – a contemporised form of folk dancing that is having a renaissance in Europe as people recognise the need in a digital world to rebuild real connection with each other.

Each year in July thousands of people of all ages and shapes converge on a small village in central France for a week-long dance festival of workshops and balls. Le Grand Bal is an opportunity to dance almost 24/7 and enjoy the physical and psychological benefits of being part of a community of dancers.

Parmenter is now teaching these varied forms of traditional partner dances such as the mazurka, waltz, the Cajun 2 step, and group dances which can be joyfully chaotic or lyrical or hypnotically peaceful, like the elegant schottische, the gavotte, and up-tempo bourrée. All these dances are technically uncomplicated and accessible to anyone with right and left feet and the music is invigorating and irresistible.

While a stigma perhaps still surrounds folk music and dance – as if it is old-fashioned and a bit prim – nothing could be further from the reality of Michael Parmenter’s Balfolk classes. Relaxed, friendly and unselfconscious, laughter is guaranteed.

And no national costumes in sight! Street clothes and shoes are the go, and as much energy as can be mustered make dance for the people in its truest form.

Parmenter has spent the last six months in Dunedin on a Carolyn Plummer Fellowship exploring the New Zealand culture of social dance and has discovered a thriving scene in the university city. But Auckland has a strong history of social dance too; Parmenter was fascinated to learn the story of tea dances in a Whatipu cave in the early years of the 20th century where a wooden dance floor was hoisted above the tideline and dancers came from all over the city to enjoy lively afternoons dancing.

Now that he is back in Auckland he looks forward to rebooting weekly Balfolk classes in mid-February and reinvigorating a dance culture that brings people together and builds community - a people’s revolution of movement perhaps. (CAIT MCLENNAN WHYTE)  PN

Details: Balfolk Auckland classes will be held at St Stephen’s on Jervois Road on Monday evenings 7pm – 8:30pm starting from 20 February. Visit Facebook balfolkaotearoa or email: balfolkauckland@gmail.com

BALFOLKINO

“ We are going to inaugurate the New Year of dancing with BALFOLKINO, a very special day of workshops and a Folk Ball with touring Italian ensemble Lyradanz” says Parmenter. These celebrated musicians who specialise in a wide range of the Balfolk dances are currently touring New Zealand in their alternate guise of Ensemble Sangineto. This trio’s fantastic music is anchored in the stupendous harp playing of Adriano and the incomparable voice of twin sister Caterina. The sound of this all-in-the-family ensemble is rounded out by Caterina’s husband Jacopo. They will join forces with Parmenter and Balfolk Dunedin director Kate Grace for a series of workshops on February 18. The day’s dancing, commencing 10.00am in the lovely Blockhouse Bay Boat Club, will finish with a Folk Ball called by Parmenter and accompanied by the irresistible music of Lyradanz.

For more information Facebook: balfolkaotearoa or balfolkauckland@gmail.com

Michael Parmenter with fellow Balfolk Auckland instructor Claire O’Neil. (Auckland Festival of the Arts)

Michael Parmenter and Kate Grace (Balfolk Dunedin) with the musicians of Lyradanz

Photography: Alice Hore

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KOL: PONSONBY’S LATEST RESTAURANT

KOL (pronounced ‘coal’ and inspired by the same word) is a new bar and eatery, serving innovative cocktails alongside an extensive champagne, wine, and beverage list.

That drinks list is complemented by a selection of tandoorinspired snacks and dishes primarily cooked over fire using the best New Zealand produce with an Indian influence.

Located in an iconic villa on the corner of Ponsonby Road and Hepburn Street, Ponsonby, KOL is independently owned and operated by restaurateurs Sid anc Chand Sahrawat who also run Cassia and Sid at The French Café.

Ponsonby News caught up with head chef Vicky Shah and bar manager Mangesh Shah to find out more about the duo and their favourite drinks and dishes on the menu right now.

Vicky Shah

Born and raised in Mumbai, Vicky Shah’s love of cooking was first inspired by his mother, an excellent cook in her own right. As an only child, he would hang out in the kitchen with his mum and began cooking alongside her, deciding at the age of 14 that he wanted to be a chef.

Vicky made the move to New Zealand in 2014 to begin his culinary career, completing a course at (now named) The Culinary Collective Cooking and Hospitality School while working part-time at SkyCity and Ponsonby fine diner Sidart.

On graduating, he took a full-time job at Sidart under chef Sid’s tutelage, first, as a pastry chef, before working in every section of the kitchen over the course of the next two years.

When the Sahrawat’s acquired fine dining institution, The French Café, in 2018, chef Vicky transitioned to that kitchen until he became head chef at Cassia in 2019, a position he held for more than two years before moving to KOL. Below, Vicky shares his favourite “date night” picks from the KOL menu.

I would start with a couple of ghee roast oysters. Oysters are perfect on date night, right? The beef tartare, charcoal, khakra would be next; I like the balance of sweet, sour and spicy in the tartare with the crunchy khakra. I would follow this with oyster mushrooms, ghost chilli and macadamia; it’s easy to share, and I love the little hint of ghost chilli coming through.

For mains, I would go for the new dish on the menu, scampi and 'nduja laccha and Kurobuta pork rack, black garlic and cabbage. Scampi from the Auckland Islands is just so tender - I love pairing it with ‘nduja. The pork rack is the perfect size for two and I am a sucker for pork cooked on fire.

From the drinks list, I love a negroni so I would order KOL's Agni, the Campari is infused with bonito and ginger. This adds savoury and umami notes to the drink and elevates a classic negroni.

Mangesh Shah

Mangesh grew up in Eastern Nepal. He commenced his studies in hospitality and hotel management in Nepal, moving to New Zealand in 2018 to complete his certificate. Mangesh began his career at Cassia in Auckland’s Fort Lane, moving to Sidart in 2022 honing his skills as one of Auckland’s top mixologists – and taking away the 2022 Best Bartender Award at the Metro Restaurant of the Year Awards.

Mangesh says he was always destined to work behind a bar creating innovative cocktails with unique ingredients and constantly pushing the boundaries. Mangesh shares his favourite “date night” picks from the KOL menu.

My favourite cocktail is the Wolof Punch. It’s a rum based cocktail, made with our rotary evaporator. This cocktail is zero waste, which helps KOL be as sustainable as possible. The rum is cold infused with kaffir lime leaves, yuzu, banana pulp liqueur and banana skins. We toast the banana skin with coconut sugar and brandy, which helps to add sweetness in this drink.

I’d start with the vindaloo fries because no date night at KOL would be complete without sitting around at the bar enjoying a few cocktails with some of the bar snacks. For dinner, I would choose the broccoli with black garlic miso, burnt onion raita and pickled onions, I love the saltiness of the black garlic and how it pairs with the sweetness in the wolof punch. I do also love the oyster mushrooms with ghost chilli and macadamia; this dish has the perfect amount of spice and a great balance of flavours.

KOL, 23 Ponsonby Road, T: 021 379 700, www.kolauckland.co.nz

photography: Josh Griggs

BUBBLES AT DIDA’S FOR VALENTINES DAY

February, for those with a sense of occasion, means Waitangi Day and the forging of a nation, but for those romantically inclined it means St. Valentines 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 Valentines 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 issues with heat in February.

Maybe it’s best to come on in to Dida’s and enjoy a glass of Allan Scott Bubbly with your loved one. The fries are on us for Valentine’s Day - we can’t wait to see you both.

Happy Valentines Day

Didas Wine Lounge – Where wine meets food. Tuesday to Saturday 3 pm – 10 pm. 60 Jervois Road, Herne Bay.

plates style cuisine and the superb skills of our talented culinary team work hard to pair perfect morsels with the multiple by-the-glass options of local and imported and hard-to-find wines.

Convivially yours, the Dida's Wine Lounge encourages leisurely engagements with the comprehensive wine list and the ever-changing, always-innovative food menu. The smallDIDA’S, 60 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 2813, www.didaswinelounge.co.nz

PHIL PARKER: FAB FEB FLAVOURS

Happy New Year, folks. Here we go with another monster edition of fantastic wines to usher in 2023 and beyond. Cheers!

Giesen Gemstone Marlborough Riesling 2021- $20

Crisp, light and bursting with flavour. 11.5% alcohol with a hint of spritzy CO2, and flavours of lime zest, jasmine, canned peach, a hint of tropical lychee and Muscat grape juice. Avaliable: finewinedelivery.co.nz

Giesen Marlborough Riesling 2022 - $14

Again, crisp and fruity with lively acidity and raisiny freshness, citrus notes and 11% alcohol. A great summer quencher. Available: winesale.co.nz

Pegasus Bay North Canterbury Riesling 2020 - $32

Full bodied and concentrated, with a slightly funky nose and aromas of ripe grapefruit. Medium sweet at 13% alcohol. A rich and lengthy palate of grapefruit marmalade, lemon and beeswax. Available: Fine O Wines, Pt Chev Organic Wines, Herne Bay Cellars.

Astrolabe Awatere Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 - $27

A very approachable softer style of Sav, with a respectable 13% alcohol. Tropical flavours of pineapple, melon and passionfruit dominate backed up by a dash of green capsicum and green tomato. Available: Glengarry, Caro’s.

Astrolabe Kēkerengu Coast Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 - $32

Even more subtle than the Awatere Valley, and a tad less alcohol at 13.5%. Elegant and restrained with flavours of gooseberry, melon, fresh picked peas and a hint of ripe blackcurrant. Delicious! Available: Caro’s

Domaine des Pothiers La Colline en Flamme Chardonnay 2021 - $33

Lightly oaked in a Chablis style. Soft acids, with stone fruit, pear and funky yeasty tang – with a crisp, dry finish. Available: Fine O Wines, Pt Chev Organic Wines, Dhall & Nash.

Domaine des Pothiers La Colline en Flamme Rouge 2021 - $29

Smoky, spicy, and youthfully ripe. Flavours of cassis, black currant, dark berry fruits and a funky gaminess. 12% alcohol. Available: Fine O Wines, Pt Chev Organic Wines, Dhall & Nash.

Domaine des Pothiers La Chapelle 2020 - $45

Made from a unique clone of Gamay Noir known as "Saint Romain" from the northwest of Lyon. Ripe, rounded and soft with black cherry, cassis and savoury barnyardy hints. Available: regionalwines.co.nz, Dhall & Nash.

Taylors Limestone Coast Clare Valley Shiraz 2020 - $16 Soft tannins in a medium Aussie shiraz style. Spice, mocha, plum cake and cassis with a nudge of ruby port. Available: widely.

Taylors Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 - $16

Ripe and juicy with soft plummy spice, blackberry, and boysenberry. Sumptuously soft and extremely drinkable at a young age. Available: widely.

Domaine des Pothiers Eclipse Methode Ancestrale 2020 - $37

Eclipse is a biodynamic organic ‘methode ancestral’ (aka Pet Nat) sparkling gamay noir rosé from the northern Loire Valley. Medium off-dry with tart citrus, red berry fruit flavours and a strawberries and cream palate. Delightfully fizzy with fine beaded bubbles. Available: Fine O Wine, Pt. Chev Organic Wines, Dhall & Nash.

The Uncommon Wine of New Zealand - $29.99 for 4 x 250ml cans

Fizzy wine in a can – hey no problem. Easily chilled and transported for that summer picnic or BBQ. They come recyclable aluminium cans, each containing a third of a regular bottle of wine. Available: wearetheuncommon.co.nz

The Uncommon Wine Bubbly White

Carbonated sauvignon blanc from Marlborough. Typical sauv flavours of passionfruit, guava and gooseberry with crisp citrus acidity. Available: wearetheuncommon.co.nz

The Uncommon Wine Bubbly Rosé

Pinot noir rosé with the fun of spritzy bubbles. Dry and crisp Provence style with red summer berry flavours and a crisp finish. Available: Farro Grey Lynn, wearetheuncommon.co.nz (PHIL PARKER)  PN

A NEW YEAR AND A NEW LINE UP OF TASTINGS!

Here’s a teaser of just a few of the amazing tasting and events online now. Check them all our www.glengarry.co.nz/events

THE GLENGARRY WINE ACADEMY - STAGE 1 - FOUR WEEK COURSE

Over the last 30+ years, the Glengarry Wine Academy has established itself as one of the leading wine educators in New Zealand. Initially created to train Glengarry staff, it is also widely used by the hospitality industry and wine enthusiasts. Informative, but never intimidating, the Glengarry Wine Academy courses are an opportunity for beginners as well as experienced aficionados to expand their knowledge and develop their interest. The only prerequisite is a passion for wine!

Staged over four weeks, this is a very much hands-on course that encourages participants to gain 'wine confidence' by breaking down the intimidation factor and providing a good grounding in the sensory evaluation and perception of wine. The main grape varieties are discussed in detail, with wines from around New Zealand and across the globe tasted to highlight the various characteristics of each variety.

A four week course - Monday 13th February, Monday 27th February, Monday 6th March and Monday 13th March, the course fee and content covers all four weeks. This Stage 1 Wine Academy will be taught by our General Manager, Liz Wheadon.

WHITE BURGUNDY NEW ARRIVALS - VICTORIA PARK

The recent vintages in Burgundy have challenged yields produced, with frost and hail events being particularly problematic. Add to that the insatiable appetite globally for these wines, sourcing them has been a challenge. Whilst these market conditions apply to the whole region, White Burgundy has become scarce. We have though, managed to extend our range, working with our suppliers to import an impressive collection of White Burgundy.

OPEN THAT BOTTLE NIGHT BYO DINNER - VICTORIA PARK

Join us at Glengarry Victoria Park for a BYO dinner for ‘Open That Bottle’ night. Many of our fine wine customers struggle to find the right occasion to open some of these wines, so this provides you with the chance to bring along anything you like, and enjoy them with other wine lovers and collectors who will appreciate them. Our team provides a full shared meal but the focus here is really on the wines. Our

team is extremely experienced in opening and preparing your oldest bottles. If you don't have anything old enough at home, we can assist in finding you a bottle. We always manage to find a few gems from the Vic Park cellar to bring out to drink as well.

JERVOIS ROAD WINECLUB - TRINITY HILL

Icons and pioneers of Hawke's Bay, and particularly the Gimblett Gravels sub-region, Trinity Hill offer both one of the most extensive and best ranges of wine in New Zealand. From lesser known and little grown varieties, such as Marsanne, to award winning and classic Syrah, they do it all; and they do it very well. We are delighted to host them in our cellar here for our first wineclub of 2023 in a tasting especially dedicated to their Gimblett Gravels range. Finishing off with some of the last of their much lauded and awarded single vineyard 2020 Chardonnay, and one of the nation's finest wines - the Homage.

DAMILANO BAROLO TASTING - VICTORIA PARK

Established in 1890, Damilano is managed by Paolo, Mario and Guido Damilano, fourth generation of the family and the largest landowners in the prized Barolo cru, Cannubi. The Damilanos also have access to crus Liste, Cerequio and Brunate. In this tasting we will look at four vintages from Cannubi, exploring this prized cru and a series of impressive vintages, as well as looking at four other cru from two different vintages to explore the difference site makes over two years. This will be a fascinating tasting and a great introduction to Barolo for those new to the area as well as a deeper dive for those who already know it well.

(LIZ WHEADON)  PN

For dates, times and to book – visit www.glengarry.co.nz/tastings

MAKE CONE -ECTIONS THIS FEBRUARY AT ISLAND GELATO CO. PONSONBY

Celebrating nine sweet years of Cool Licks and making Cone-ections!

February is the month of love!

We’re celebrating our 9th birthday at Island Gelato, and we've got something sweet for you and your taste buds.

This February, come and celebrate every day at our Island Gelato store in Ponsonby, and experience our award-winning gelato and sorbet!

Locally made from the finest ingredients, gelato and sorbet will tantalise your taste buds, so bring a lover, friend, family or just your good self and make some cone-ctions with a tasty scoop or two.

Join us for Gelato Happy Hour on Ponsonby Road between 4 pm-7 pm every night of the week for a delicious after dinner scoop or two.

In case you were wondering what gelato and sorbet is: Gelato is traditional Italian ice-cream made with milk, a little cream, sugar and flavoured with fruit swirls and nut purees. It contains less air, less fat and less sugar than regular ice cream.

Sorbet is made from fresh, inseason fruits locally sourced, natural sugar, water and contains no dairy. We also use alternative milks , which include coconut, almond or cashew milk; they create a creamy scoop for those non-dairy lovers. At Island Gelato we have a whole cabinet dedicated to sorbets for your non-dairy tasting pleasure!

So if you're looking to indulge in something sweet without having to worry about your waistline (or just want to try something new), come down to our Island Gelato store in Ponsonby this February—we've got all the flavours you could ever hope for!

Lick it or lose it!

Island Gelato’s Italian inspired gelateria is open at 124 Ponsonby Road and online www.islandgelato.co.nz

Photography: Josh Griggs

SOFIA ROGER WILLIAMS: VEGAN VIBE

In the centre of Ponsonby, Daphnes Bar Taverna is the ideal summer spot.

After a summer of travelling, Kiwi barbecues, hot chips on the beach, many not-so-bouji holidays, and spending a fair few nights in tents or DOC huts on Great Walks, I was more than ready to come back home to Auckland to reinstate my citygirl self.

After missing my best friend's birthday, I insisted on taking her out for a dinner together. As much as she and I usually love to stick to our roots, we wanted to try something new and landed on Daphnes. We’d been eyeing it up for a while now, mostly because the pink building particularly called our names, and word on the street certainly talked it up. We went on a blazing hot Sunday evening and nabbed ourselves an outside table.

She and I are quite the “challenging” combo dining out together - me being plant-based and she being coeliac. However, this felt like no problem at Daphnes. Offering a menu drawing on Mediterranean flavours, their dishes are well selected, elegant and encourage diners to share and graze. After much deliberation and getting distracted by chatting away in between, we landed on the Kefalograviera Saganaki (vegetarian), Eggplant Papoutsaki and the cauliflower.

All three were refined, thoughtful and intelligent fares. The eggplant’s melty goodness was complemented by a light

and slightly sweet red zhug and tangy carciofi (Roman style artichokes) which were to die for. Daphnes describes their Papoutsaki as “our moussaka''. I would describe it as a lighter summery approach to a traditional warm and wintery dish. The cauliflower was just as beautiful - a perfect balance of the sweetness of the kumara hummus, smokiness of the cauliflower, nuttiness of the walnuts and tanginess of the sauerkraut. It felt healthy but still a bit naughty.

Now I know this is a bit against my brand, but I did try the Kefalograviera Saganaki (baked cheese with quince)… I do believe that plant-based eating is all about balance and simply making an effort where one can. As much as this was not a matter of necessity, I believe that eating plant-based eating is not so much a restriction of one’s diet but a change in perspective. Plant-based diets do not need to be perfect to be making a difference. And just between you and I, that cheese was pretty incredible.

There are many more plant-based options Daphnes had to offer which we have yet to get around to trying - various other starters and salads, such as the figs with kalamata tapenade and the asparagus with tahini, truffle and crispy kale. After a splendid and impressive first experience we will be sure to be back for another special. (SOFIA ROGER WILLIAMS)

DAPHNES BAR TAVERNA, 71 Ponsonby Road, T: 021 906 815, www.daphnes.co.nz

ZEBRANO, 22 Morrow Street, Newmarket - opposite Westfield, T: 09 523 2500, www.zebrano.co.nz

1. Annie Dress from Lemon Tree - $199

2. Mesh Skin Dress from Deeanne Hobbs - $207

3. Concave Sweatshirt from Deeanne Hobbs - $299

4. Circumvent Frill Top from Obi - $337

5. China Doll Frill Dress from Obi - $407

6. Betsey Lined Pants from Lemon Tree - $159

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A TIME TO CELEBRATE INNOVATION AS KRISTIN SCHOOL TURNS 50

Next month Kristin will celebrate its 50th anniversary. While we are still a young school, there has been an immense amount of innovation during this time.

Kristin is a school founded by families for families. In the early 1970s following the closure of St Anne’s in Takapuna, a group of parents came together with a vision to build an independent school on the North Shore where every child’s talents would be recognised and nurtured.

It was an ambitious and remarkable feat. Our founding parents worked tirelessly locating a site, raising funds, establishing a board and holding working bees to build the school. The co-educational Kristin School opened its doors on the original Campbells Bay site in 1973, welcoming 62 students.

Today the roll has grown to more than 1,800 students from across Auckland from Early Learning through to Year 13. Much has changed, including our move to Albany, but this spirit of innovation is still very much a part of who we are.

In 1986, Kristin became the first New Zealand school to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma; a global curriculum focusing on inquiry-based learning. Today we have the largest number of students following IB programmes in New Zealand, with impressive results.

Our Middle School is one of a few in New Zealand for students in Years 7-10. This model of schooling allows our students to develop a better sense of belonging and purpose over these pivotal years of development, as well as providing leadership opportunities and a solid foundation for students heading into Senior School.

These are just some of the many things that make our school a unique and special place.

We are very proud of our history. This year’s anniversary is a chance for us to celebrate the spirit of innovation that has been at the heart of Kristin for 50 years.

(MARK WILSON, Executive Principal, Kristin School)

KRISTIN SCHOOL, 360 Albany Highway, T: 09 415 9566, www.kristin.school.nz

Do you have children going into Year 7 or Year 9 in 2024 or beyond?

Don’t miss our upcoming information evening! Come and hear about our unique Middle School environment that sets us apart and keeps them together.

Thursday 16 March 2023, from 5pm

Register to attend at kristin.school.nz or call our Admissions Manager on 09 415 9566 ext 2324.

Scholarships are available to enable new students to join Kristin in Year 9, 2024.

Progress with vision, integrity and love.

A dedicated Middle School for Years 7-10. It’s learning evolved.

SAINT KENTIGERN TRUST BOARD OPENS NEW SCHOOLS IN REMUERA

To keep pace with continued demand for places and the changing needs of students and their families, the Saint Kentigern Trust Board, has delivered the Shore Road Master Plan.

Confirmed in 2018 and completed in 2023, it is one of the largest project ever undertaken by Saint Kentigern.

A new Girls’ School and Preschool, a dedicated Senior Boys’ block, and a Specialist Facilities building for use by both primary schools, are now open on their Shore Road Campus in Remuera.

New Girls’ School

The magnificent new Saint Kentigern Girls’ School fronting Shore Road was completed in the first half of 2022. Four years in the making, the new School is custom designed for girls’ learning. The building’s open and friendly layout fosters connection and encourages collaboration, providing an inspiring environment for the girls to explore and learn.

The new school has 19 classrooms with each syndicate having a dedicated floor and library, linked by a multi-purpose atrium. The classrooms are connected by collaborative learning spaces and there are music and art studios throughout the building.

Macky Senior Boys’ School

The new Macky Senior Boys’ School, which features three levels of spacious, technology-rich, and flexible learning areas was officially opened for the Years 7 and 8 Boys’ School students in February 2022.

The Macky Senior School houses 12 new classrooms, collaborative learning spaces and a wide atrium staircase that doubles as access between floors and seating steps which can be used socially or for teaching, group gatherings or class presentations.

The classrooms are just a corridor away from the Specialist Facilities, enabling easy movement between classes for the boys when attending their arts and creative technology lessons.

Specialist Facilities

The new Specialist Facilities, which share the same roofline as the Macky Senior Boys’ School, were completed and occupied at the start of 2022. This shared centre of excellence provides significant new amenities for scientific, artistic (visual and performance), and technological (food, hard and soft materials) learning.

Based on a rostered timetable, Boys’ School and Girls’ School students take turns to learn a variety of specialist subjects with specialist teachers in well-equipped teaching and learning spaces.

This dedicated annexed building has Food Technology and Dance and Drama rooms, Hard and Soft Materials rooms, three Science labs, two Design classrooms, three Art studios, three Music spaces and three Music rooms. Each floor offers breakout and presentation spaces away from classrooms.

New Preschool

The Preschool moved to their brand new Shore Road premises in January 2023. With stunning viewshafts to Hobson Bay and the Hauraki Gulf the new Saint Kentigern Preschool is nestled in a tree-encircled location at the western boundary of the Shore Road campus.

This beautiful new Preschool is a distinct, circular-shaped building. With a central playground and learning spaces built around it, this single-storey building is designed to provide a secure and active environment that eases movement and encourages exploration and connection for Saint Kentigern’s youngest students. The building sits unobtrusively within the existing mature trees and vegetation and is the final piece of the Trust Board’s Shore Road Master Plan.

Saint Kentigern College

- Pakuranga Campus Masterplan

A review and refresh of the Concept Master Plan developed in 2018 is progressing well with the first phase of two, stakeholder engagement, completed. Work has commenced on phase two.

REGISTER FOR OPEN DAYS IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH www.saintkentigern.com

Specialist Facilities & Senior Boys’ Classrooms

Girls’ School

Aerial shot of the Preschool

HONOUR MITCHELL: TEEN PICKS - HOT IN THE CITY

As the peak of summer rolls around once again, it's an opportunity to finish curating your hot weather wardrobe. My goal for the season has been a closet makeover... out with the old and in with the new - let this be your mantra!

While your winter woollies and cosy jeans hibernate under the bed, it's time to frolic in frivolous, summer fashion. But if you feel like all your clothes are feeling a bit, well... blah, I get you. I’ve had a major clearout to allow some freshness and variety to seep in. My key summer picks for 2023 are listed below. Remember, if you’re watching your pennies, thrifting is a great alternative to high-street retail and often produces even better results than buying new!

Colour

First, it’s time to talk about colours. This summer, yellow has had a huge rise in popularity. Frankly, it seems to have dominated the fashion industry: dresses, tanks, pants, hats, bags, bikinis, it truly is everywhere. You simply cannot miss this bright, warm, playful colour. With the dismal, rainy weather we have experienced in January (please, no more for February), yellow is not exactly a colour I have wanted to reach for. But let me tell you it can spice up your whole outfit, encouraging positivity and allowing you to radiate some of that sunny energy we’ve been missing. I've been on the prowl accumulating yellow items for my closet. My favourite piece would have to be my low-waisted terry cloth I am Gia pants. These are not only comfortable but are the perfect summer threads for late evenings and can even be worn over a bikini on cooler days. I encourage you to search for that yellow flourish that screams summer.

Sunglasses

My next must-have is: updated sunglasses, a great little boost for your daily outfits. Don’t underestimate the power sunnies have to elevate a “look". There are so many fun options to choose from - bright pops of colour? or perhaps a pair that goes with everything. I recently picked up some from Cotton On which, despite being only $20, are one of my favourite purchases. A pair of sunglasses worn on the head can immediately give you the 'beachy summer vibe’ we long for - even in grim conditions. The cheaper versions offer an easy way to experiment with different shapes, sizes and hues. Don’t let yourself miss out on this fabulous fashion go-to... talk about underrated!

Show a little backbone

Now that our backs are nicely bronzed, a welcome trend this summer is the backless top. Ideal for February heat, they seem to be in every store, so get out there and grab one, if you haven’t already. If you’re on a budget I recommend Glassons, where I picked up a perfect little pink number. Not only do I love the colour but it also offers that coveted breathability on those steamy nights. Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone for a bit of bare-back action!

The Maxi

With all the doom and gloom of a potential recession, hem lines continue to plummet and this summer simply wouldn’t be complete without at least one new maxi. These long, swirling skirts are surprising cool, so you don’t have to worry about being clammy and sticky. Whether you want a classic staple or possibly a fun floral, there are plenty on the market to sift through as you search. My personal favourite is a super thin, lightweight floral from Brandy Melville. Embrace your free-flowing hippie side and get that off-duty, relaxed look. A long skirt is certainly the way to go this summer. Who said comfort and fashion can’t pair together?

(HONOUR MITCHELL)  PN

THE BEST START TO A BOY’S EDUCATION

The vision at King’s School is to develop the individual talents of each boy... for life.

Headmaster Tony Sissons believes children should be given the best possible chance to flourish. “Our goal is to ensure each boy who passes through our gates is given a solid foundation of learning, has a sense of self-confidence and self-belief, is motivated, flexible and resilient,” he says.

All classes at King’s School have a dedicated teacher and homeroom. Class sizes are kept small so that teachers can provide personalised attention and no-one gets lost in the crowd. Tony is not a fan of the Modern Learning Environment model. His years in education have convinced him that children must feel secure and supported before they can learn effectively. Strong connections are the foundation of the King’s School learning programme.

Literacy and numeracy are the primary focus and there are extra teaching staff for these subjects at each year level. This ensures exceptional teacher:pupil ratios and allows staff to teach to the appropriate level for the development of individual boys.

King’s also offers a wide range of enrichment subjects to inspire and stimulate boys. Specialist teachers deliver Music, Drama, Art, Science, French, Physical Education, Religious Education and Swimming programmes. Every child learns a musical instrument and there are a variety of cultural groups and sports teams to join. Boys are encouraged to follow their passions and the school celebrates success and achievements across all disciplines.

Life at King’s School is very much geared for boys; with shorter lessons, more visual and tactile teaching methods, opportunities for students to be active and move around the school, and male mentoring and buddy programmes. All these strategies are backed by research on how boys learn best.

Manners and values are important at King’s and are integrated into every aspect of the school day. Boys are expected to live by the Golden Rule, “Treat others the way you would like to be treated”.

Tony is committed to giving boys the best possible start to their education. “I am proud of my team and believe our programme provides boys with a strong foundation for the future by instilling a love of learning with values and integrity, while establishing friendships for life. A King’s School education is the best gift you could give your son.”

KING’S SCHOOL, 258 Remuera Road, Auckland 1050, T: 09 520 7770, www.kings.school.nz

LUCY KENNEDY: FEBRUARY BOOK REVIEW

The Dictionary of Lost Words, by Pip Williams - 14+

“Words are like stories ... They change as they are passed from mouth to mouth; their meanings stretch or truncate to fit what needs to be said.”

I initially picked up this book because I was enticed by the title, “The Dictionary of Lost Words”. I flipped it over, skimmed the blurb, and knew I had to have it. I am a linguaphile, and a lover of dictionaries. I had always harboured a vague wondering about how exactly dictionaries were compiled - it’s an entire language, how is it possible to correctly define every word? This book is a historical fiction focused on the creation of my personal favourite dictionary, the Oxford English Dictionary, OED for short.

Esme, our main character, is the daughter of Harry Nicholl, one of the head lexicographers working on the making of the first ever OED. This allows her to spend most of her childhood in the Scriptorium, a garden shed in Oxford, England, where work on the dictionary is being done. She crouches beneath the sorting table, watching the men’s shoes as they define, sort, and discuss words above her head. One day, as she is under the table, a scrap of paper flutters down to her. On it is the word ‘Bondmaid’. This spurs a love of language for Esme, as well as a question: Are all words equal? Taking readers through the suffragette movement, Esme collects words from those who often go unheard, people with little to no income, underprivileged workers, women, and more. Esme is making her own dictionary: A dictionary of lost words.

An aspect of this book that I really enjoyed was the author’s use of real people as characters. In reality, Esme and her father didn’t exist, but chief lexicographer Sir James Murray, his daughters Elsie and Rosfrith, long time assistants Mr. Maling, Mr. Sweatman, and Mr. Yockney, as well as Esme’s close family friend Edith Thompson were all actual people working

to bring the dictionary to fruition. Elsie and Rosfrith Murray gave most of their lives to the dictionary project, sorting slips at the dinner table from as young an age as five. Edith Thompson was a frequent volunteer, sending in words to be included and doing extra research for the project. Despite the years of energy, interest, hard work and commitment these women gave to the dictionary, when it was finally published in 1928 they were done a grave injustice. A party was held in London’s Goldsmith’s Hall in order to celebrate the eventual publication of the Oxford English Dictionary, a full seventyone years after the initial idea was suggested. Women are not invited; however, the three women are allowed to sit out on the balcony and watch the men eat. No food is given to them, they cannot talk and celebrate with the other guests. It was considered a privilege for them to even attend. All this despite Elsie and Rosfrith’s father being the main controller of dictionary proceedings.

I enjoyed this book immensely, and think it to be one of the best historical fiction books I have read in a long while. I found myself really attached to Esme’s character, as the novel traces her entire life from age five until her death. I would absolutely recommend this book to lovers of language and vocabulary like myself, anyone with a special interest in the women’s suffrage movement, and to a reader who wants to be immersed in well-developed and captivating characters.

(LUCY KENNEDY)

out of 5!

PN

www.lucykennedywriter.wixsite.com/reviews instagram @lucykennedyreviews

LOCAL PEOPLE AND THEIR PETS

Westmere residents Lisa Prager and Verity George discuss Titan, their beautiful cat. Tell us a little about you cat. What’s his name?

We named our cat Titan because we knew he had to be strong and brave to survive living on a main road.

How old is he?

Titan is an old man pretending to be a teenager.

How did you find him?

We had just moved into what was to become Garnet Station. It was in disrepair so we started renovating immediately. I heard a pathetic little meow outside the backdoor and saw a teeny, weeny tabby kitten hiding under the monstera plants. We surmised he had been dropped into our fenced property by his mother, desperate to save his life. It took me quite a while to tame him and he is very wary of strangers.

Whats his favourite play/toy?

His feral start in life means he will attack any fluffy dangling object and his favourite toy is a thin flexible bamboo cane swished through the grass at high speed.

What does he like to eat?

Titan is extremely particular about food having been brought up in a restaurant. He will chow down on raw meat one day and reject it outright the next. But his favourite treat is mild Tandoori chicken as he was an Indian Maharaja in a past life.

Where does he enjoy hanging out?

In summer his favourite place to hang out is in the shade of the parsley bush next to the rabbits’ mansion in the back yard.

How many paper bags/ boxes does he use?

Titan will jump in and out of any abandoned cardboard box or paper bag, but half packed suitcases are his favourite.

Does he have cat friends?

Titan is a lover not a fighter, however the big ginger cat next door is having a turf war with him at the moment.

Does he enjoy a cuddle?

Titan only enjoys cuddles on his terms, either on my lap while watching TV or snuggled up in bed - pre dawn; the rest of the time he is Mr. Independent.

GUY GRAHAM: ESTATE PLANNING

Estate planning is a topic that no one wants to think about or discuss, let alone plan for.

None of us know when our time on earth may be up, or be unexpectedly cut short, but having a formalised plan and documented set of wishes/instructions can help your loved ones navigate your passing.

Do you have a plan for your family when your time is up? How can you ensure that a fair and equitable distribution of assets to beneficiaries will occur?

Have you sat down with your family and discussed yours/ their wishes for the family assets/business?

What should you consider in your estate plan?

1. Wills 2. Trusts 3. Enduring Powers of Attorney

A Will – “Last Will & Testament”

A will is a legal document that allows you to state how to distribute your personal property and assets on your passing. While many of us now have our assets held via trusts, with few assets held privately other than personal chattels, a will is a critical part of your estate plan as it gives the executor instructions on how to settle your estate.

Without a will, New Zealand legislation dictates who gets what and how much of what you leave behind. It’s a very specific formula, so depending on your situation your assets may not end up where you might think. On top of this, the cost of administering this can increase significantly and take a long time to resolve.

Having a will, will allow you to settle your estate, name a guardian for your children, express your funeral wishes, leave your personal assets to those you wish, or donate to charities.

Trusts

The personal asset distribution process (wills) are very different from assets held/owned in trust. Many people have trusts, and in our opinion they are typically misunderstood.

A trust may continue until the “final vesting date” as stated in the trust deed, which when reached will result in the transfer of the trust assets to the named beneficiaries.

A trust has three elements: trustees are the people who manage the trust, · the settlor is the person who creates the trusts and, beneficiaries are those who benefit from the trust.

The trust deed outlines those involved and the instructions on how the trust will be managed. Depending on the instructions of the trust deed you could still use the assets within the trust, you just wouldn’t own them under your sole name.

Similar to a will, you can prepare a “memorandum of wishes” relating to the trust. This records your wishes of what you want to happen to the assets in the trust, which the surviving trustees must consider. This may include your wish for certain assets to be distributed to a named beneficiary, or the final vesting date to be brought forward and the assets transferred earlier.

Enduring Powers of Attorney

This is more of a legal matter and not so much a technical piece of accounting advice but is closely related and ties into the ability for a named person to act (or sign) on your behalf. Powers of attorney (EPA) is a legal document that nominates someone that you choose the ability to act on our behalf. You might consider getting an EPA if you want to give someone else the ability to make a decision for you in the case that you are incapable or unavailable to make the decision yourself.

There are two types of EPAs: A property EPA enables decision making on financial matters such as money and property, bank accounts, paying bills, and buying/selling property.

· A personal care and welfare EPA enables decisions about your health and wellbeing and can only take effect once a qualified health practitioner has confirmed that you’re not sound to make decisions yourself.

You can appoint the same person for both, however the authority must be appointed separately. An EPA has to be done when you’re still mentally capable.

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.

BLAIR HADDOW:

TRUST BUILDS DEEP RELATIONSHIPS – AS ONE PONSONBY REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON KNOWS

Bayleys Ponsonby Blair Haddow has just listed two gorgeous homes which he previously sold to both sets of current owners just a few years ago.

Both parties were so impressed with the professionalism Blair personified in his dealings with them as purchasers, that he was the automatic ‘go-to’ salesperson to list with when it came time to selling up.

“I’m quite flattered that both vendors have the trust in me to conduct the sale of their much loved homes after previously seeing me represent the other side of the sale and purchase process when they bought,” admits Blair.

“But the way I behave in a professional environment in real estate is simply the way I am with everyone. Some would say it’s a bit of ‘pay it forward’ psyche, some would say it’s karma. To me it’s just about being natural – treating people the way you would want to be treated yourself – fairly, honestly, respectfully, and knowing that one day your paths may well cross again… as they obviously have done with these listings.”

The first home for sale through Blair’s repeat business approach is at 60 Sussex Street in Grey Lynn - a totally modernised and very stylish four-bedroom, three- bathroom heritage villa with an inground swimming pool on the flat back lawn area, and a games room on the lower level off the double car garage parking. The home was designed by Evelyn McNamara Architects Ltd, and the downstairs area with its polished concrete flooring offers the opportunity for a work-from-home office environment.

The second home for sale emanating from Blair’s networked approach is at 55 Summer Street, Ponsonby, and offers an immaculate four-bedroom, two-bathroom two-storey residence with huge open plan living and dining area off the kitchen leading onto a deck and private back lawn area.

Also, among Blair’s new 2023 listings – all of which are going to auction in March unless sold prior – is a third home which came to Blair because of his long and highly successful career at Bayleys Ponsonby.

The two-storey terraced dwelling at 79E Kelmarna Avenue in Herne Bay features an easy-care three-bedroom, twobathroom home, complete with inground swimming pool and internal garaging for two cars.

However, having a well-established network in real estate is not only fundamental to signing up listings from previous experiences, it’s also a pillar for selling homes in ‘off market’ transactions where vendors may not necessarily want the promotion of their home for sale to be made public.

Blair Haddow has achieved two such off market sales in recent weeks – the first at 25 Hackett Street in St Mary’s Bay, which he sold to the vendors two years ago for $6.3 million, and which recently changed hands for close to $7 million. Blair also brokered an off-market deal for a fully modernised four -bedroom St Mary’s Bay home for circa $5.5 million by marketing the opportunity through his highly personalised database.

“The owners of both homes came to me because they wholly appreciated that I would know the best buyers for their homes – both from a price perspective, and a purchase process aspect,” said Blair Haddow.

“Most real estate agents profess that they have databases. What they really have is a name, an email address and a phone number from someone who came through one of their open homes.

“Conversely, I knew who on my database would be the most likely buyers for these properties, and the viewing process was tailored accordingly. The results, both acceptable to the two vendors, speak for themselves.”

blair.haddow@bayleys.co.nz www.facebook.com/BlairHaddowResidential

60 Sussex Street

55 Summer Street

25 Hackett Street

@ SCOTT LAWRIE GALLERY

Cruz Jimenez: The Sky We Remember - 53 Miles West of Venus - on now until 18 February

Californian-born Cruz Jimenez kicks off our new show calendar for 2023 with a major solo show that’s (quite literally) out of this world.

He takes us on a journey back to his childhood in the backyards and streets of Southern California, and then forward to his Aotearoa home, where he’s lived for over two decades. The one constant in his journey? The night sky.

Space is an unusual frontier to explore for an artist. How do you capture light a million light years away from existence? How do you even compete with the beauty of the new James Webb telescope? And what relevance does the night sky have to all of us?

Cruz has no answers. And that’s entirely intentional. He offers us a place to escape, a destination bigger than all of us, and more timeless than anything we know. For these are paintings of meditation and reflection; dream-like states of being that allow us to travel in time and space from the comfort of our own homes.

By contrast, home (of sorts) is also the subject of a highly unique and fun installation called ‘More Than Just’. It’s an installation of an idealised brothel, created by sex workers from Australia and New Zealand.

Curated by sex worker and rights campaigner ‘Tilly’, it’s an insightful, raw, and quite often funny installation that offers us

a scattered glimpse into a world very few of us know and understand.

Finally, we’re delighted to welcome emerging artist Maui Ofamooni with a show of four beautiful works inspired by his recent trip to Rarotonga.

SCOTT LAWRIE GALLERY, Shed 10, The Steelworks, 13 Coles Avenue (off Valley Road), www.scottlawrie.com

Cruz Jimenez, 52 Miles West of Venus, 2022

Cruz Jimenez, Ink Study #1, 2022

THE MERCURY BAY ART ESCAPE IS BACK AGAIN

Held over the first two weekends in March, 4-5 and 11-12, the Mercury Bay Art Escape Open Studios is your opportunity to tour the studios of innovative and talented artists in an area stretching from Tairua to Matarangi in the stunning Eastern Coromandel Peninsula.

Over these two weekends, 39 artists will open their studios freely to visitors. Many have international profiles and have art inspired by the beautiful Coromandel bush and seascapes. The rich and eclectic mix of mediums includes painting, printmaking, sculpture, jewellery, mixed media, ceramics, photography, mosaics, glass and weaving.

The Art Escape offers a unique opportunity to view and talk about inspiration and art with member artists in their Coromandel studios and to buy direct.

The popular gala event to open the Mercury Bay Art Escape will be held at Hot Waves Café in Hot Water Beach, 6 pm Friday, March 3. This year the event features the wellknown gardening writer and broadcaster Lynda Hallinan as guest speaker.

Tickets to the Gala Opening are available online from the Mercury Bay Art Escape website.

Hot Waves café features the Artists Showcase Exhibition from March 3 until April 11, with one work from each member and group on display.

Escape to the Coromandel over the first two weekends in March and enjoy art from renowned artists, the beauty of the Coromandel, great cafes, restaurants and hospitality.

For more information on the artists, guide stockists and the gala opening, visit: Mercury Bay Art Escape: www.mercurybayartescape.com, Facebook: @mercurybayartescape Instagram: @mercurybayartescape

STUDIOS 2023

Souzie Speerstra, Regeneration

@ {SUITE} GALLERY

Serj Tankian

Grammy Award winning Armenian American musician, artist and activist Serj Tankian will be exhibiting at {Suite} Gallery in Auckland and Wellington in February 2023.

Mounted across both galleries, this solo exhibition titled ‘Kiwi in Pangea’ will include a selection of paintings, each accompanied by a musical score composed by Tankian that is as integral to the work as the paint itself.

The exhibition is scheduled to open at {Suite} Ponsonby (189 Ponsonby Road, Auckland), on the evening of 2 February, 5 - 7 pm. Two days later, {Suite} Wellington (241 Cuba Street, Te Aro) will hold an afternoon opening on 4 February, 1 - 4 pm. Tankian will be in attendance at both openings. These events are free and open to the public; visitors are welcome to join the artist at the gallery for refreshments and previews of the exhibition.

Tankian stepped onto the art scene in 2013 with his project Disarming Time Paintings and has been exhibiting across

the United States and Aotearoa since. His works synthesise auditory and optical mediums to create multi-sensory paintings which challenge traditional conventions of visual art.

The artist explains, "The urge came to me in the discovery that music has become so temporal and devalued in the world today, so I wanted to create an exclusive experience... something unique for someone to hold, so they become the only person to experience this. I'm aiming to have people SEE the music and HEAR the art. Using a modern app, we're able to take Kandinsky's Synesthesia to a whole new level.”

The musical compositions complementing each work can be accessed by visitors in the gallery by scanning the paintings with Arloopa, a free application for iOS and Android devices. This utilisation of smartphone technology to realise the intertwined relationship between music and art in the gallery setting is the first of its kind.

{Suite} GALLERY, 189 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 218 4399, www.suite.co.nz

The Others, 2022, Acrylic on canvas, 900 x 600mm

@ BERGMAN GALLERY

The More Things Change... Part 1

18 February - 18 March

Opening Saturday 18 February, 2pm, all welcome.

Heather Straka, Louie Bretaña, Sione Monū, Oliver Cain, Raymond Sagapolutele, Lucas Grogan and Luke Thurgate.

Prejudice, it's not an attractive topic, yet despite an enduring fight against it, remains stubbornly systemic across the globe, permeating every facet of our human existence. It comes in all shapes and sizes, tailored to any generic set of circumstances.

We all have our own stories to tell. The exhibition series, The More Things Change… Parts 1-3 brings together a collection of stories by Queer and Pacific artists who live, like many of us, with prejudice. They are narrated in painted, sculptural and photographic form. They are communicated with love, humour and gravity. They are not victim impact statements, nor are they a condemnation or judgment of others These stories function as a stocktake of the reality we live in, and purposefully reflect that we believe the fight for equality in all of its forms, is far from over. This exhibition is part of the Auckland Pride Festival.

2 - 5 March

The Cloud, Queen’s Wharf, Auckland

Telly Tuita, Mahiriki Tangaroa, Sylvia Marsters, Raymond Sagapolutele and Benjamin Work.

Instagram and Facebook @bergmangallery

BERGMAN GALLERY, 3/582 Karangahape Road (Entrance via 2 Newton Road), T: 021 024 614

E: benny@bergmangallery.com Tues-Sat 10am-5:30pm, www.bergmangallery.com

Bergman Gallery at Aotearoa Art Fair

Heather Straka, Shakti Raksha feminine energy protection, 1860 x 1285mm, edition of 8, 2021

HOROSCOPES: MISS PEARL NECLIS – what your stars hold for February

Aquarius (the Water Carrier)

21 January - 19 February

Take your time this month and do things right instead of setting yourself with deadlines that you can’t meet. Set yourself guidelines that you are able to follow and that will help keep you on track.

Pisces (the Fishes)

20 February - 20 March

You’re all fired up and ready to work this year but finding what you want to do is proving difficult. Relax and think about what makes you happy and maybe you can find the right balance.

Aries (the Ram)

21 March - 20 April

There is something important building in your life and it is going to make a big impact. However, you’re not very comfortable with change and are not sure what to expect.

Taurus (the Bull)

21 April - 21 May

It might take you a while to get back into the swing of things this month as your mind could still be dreaming about the lovely holiday you have just had. You should start thinking practically now though and your creative thinking could lead to new possibilities.

Gemini (the Twins)

22 May - 21 June

Even the most intelligent of ideas can go wrong sometimes and the key is not to take it too personally. Just concentrate on what is possible and you’ll find you might reach your goals sooner.

Cancer (the Crab)

22 June - 22 July

You seem to have a hard time being in social situations with people you don’t know and still seem to be stuck in a place that isn’t doing your soul any good. You need to find time for you and try to listen to yourself and what you are saying.

Leo (the Lion)

23 July - 21 August

Your time off has hopefully refreshed you enough that working continuously for the next year isn’t as daunting as it sounds. Remember, you can always take time off for yourself and going away will recharge your batteries again.

Virgo (the Virgin)

22 August - 23 September

Don’t try and implement all your ideas at once. If you try and change your approach to the way you work, you might find that by some fine-tuning you will produce some excellent results.

Libra (the Scales)

24 September - 23 October

You feel like your creativity is slipping you by, but it’s not. You’re just getting to the point where you have taken on too many projects and are not finishing any of them. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s easy to say ‘No’.

Scorpio (the Scorpion)

24 October - 22 November

You sometimes feel like a change and the only way you can achieve this is by a good cleanout, both physically and emotionally. When that’s done you will have a great opportunity to look back and see how cluttered you were before.

Sagittarius (the Archer)

23 November - 22 December

As the new year begins, you need to make sure that your life is going in the direction that you want. Choices that were made in haste in the past need not be repeated in the future.

Capricorn (the Goat)

23 December - 20 January

You’re thinking of making an escape somewhere on your own but you need to give yourself some more time to settle into the groove. Make the most of these long summer nights and have a holiday at home.

UPTOWN ART SCENE

While most people were taking a break (or sheltering from the rain), one local art business was humming along at their busiest.

Browne School of Art’s Summer School always provides an intensive dose of inspiration, a time for creative indulgence for some and a rev-up for the year ahead for others. With all three studios full, the place was a riot of colour, markmaking, ideas and collegiality. Whether fresh-faced or long in the tooth, people experiencing their once a year soak in artmaking or honing their already considerable skills, the shared atmosphere was fun, energetic, and productive.

The school was founded 10 years ago by artist Matthew Browne, who studied at Camberwell in London and Elam, University of Auckland. Seeing a gap in visual art education, Matthew focused the school on strong working processes, alongside critical thinking and plenty of tutor contact. He has assembled 25 experienced tutors and artists to enable the teaching of painting and drawing, printmaking, illustration, and photography.

Such a group can offer a diverse range of approaches to match the many interests of artists today. Rigorous figure painting, stylised printmaking, abstract colour compositions, and objective photography all happily share the studio spaces, with inspiration spilling over from one to another. From contemporary watercolour to art history, weekend workshops to year-long courses, Browne School of Art aims to fire the imagination of the community.

While the teaching studios provide the creative crucible, they are supported by other essential resources. New ideas from established artists are encouraged with the school’s bijoux library, filled with art books, many brand new and comfortably perused on the cushioned armchairs.

The AV room allows for presentations that give wider context to the classes. Then there is the BSA Gallery, three connected spaces of bright white walls and great lighting. The Gallery regularly hosts exhibitions by artists from the wider community, making the school a real art hub for the area.

That hum of art making on the Grey Lynn ridge heralds the start of a very arty year in the ‘hood’.

www.studioart.co.nz

Abstract Painting Browne School of Art

EVAN WOODRUFFE, Studio Art Supplies

Lili Cantlay in Level 2 at Browne School

Portraits for Teens at Browne School

PONSONBY WWW.ISLANDGELATO.CO.NZ