HELEN WHITE, LABOUR LIST MP

LOCAL NEWS HELEN WHITE: Labour List MP based in Auckland Central

While many of us would like to see Queen Street pedestrianised yesterday, it is important to know more pedestrian-friendly areas in downtown Auckland are coming.

Putting people first is part of the transformational City Centre Masterplan which will go hand in hand with the completion of the City Rail Link. Work is due to begin on turning over parts of Queen Street to be more people focused by the end of this year. We will have an arts precinct around the town hall and yes, we’ll have a subway! These have been in the pipeline for a long time and I commend those who have helped build this vision for Auckland.

I’m also interested in not just how people will move around our new-look city, but where they will live. Auckland has been growing for many years and until recently that meant very dull, small and badly built apartments, which in some parts of the city dominate the skyline. They are the result of poor leadership in this area. We had the worst of both worlds, highly restrictive codes and not enough intelligent input.

The buildings around Hobson Street are almost all exactly the same height as a consequence. Worst still we tended to build out, many kilometres away from the heart of the city, using valuable horticultural land for housing and forcing thousands to commute to work for many hours a day. It has congested our roads and led to environmentally damaging air pollution. We weren’t alone in this approach however, many cities across the world did this to the detriment of their citizens’ wellbeing.

It has become apparent to both major political parties that the cost of building out is not sustainable, thus we have an accord which will allow greater site coverage and going up three stories, with six stories around transport hubs. The government has set aside 3.8 billion dollars to expedite the building of many more houses by paying for infrastructure.

I appreciate that people worry about the intensification of Auckland. I appreciate also, there is concern about losing the heritage, and I know the council is going through a process at present of safeguarding historically significant buildings. I also understand the need to make sure there are green spaces and good facilities for families, like schools within walking distance. I have been meeting with the Ministry of Education and advocating for a new primary school in the inner city.

Building up instead of out is essential for our environment, well-being, inclusiveness, and for me importantly, the affordability of the central city. It must of course this time be done well. But we live in a time when imaginative urban designers and architects will build us a beautiful, affordable and environmentally friendly city.

I advocate that we draw on places like Copenhagen. I was lucky enough to recently visit Denmark and found it full of well-designed apartments, adequate parks and great traffic management. It has excellent public transport, controlled entry for cars, priority for bicycles and walking, and is a vibrant city as a result. People want to spend time in its pedestrianised streets. I see a brilliant future for our city if we can learn from its example.

Of course those who want to protect heritage here in Auckland play a valuable part as watchdogs. I know however that the reality is intensification and needs to be managed well, and not rejected. We are all aware that the environmental cost of doing nothing is unsustainable in the face of global warming.

I am concerned about the health implications of all those cars polluting the air in Auckland Central. I am concerned about all those people spending their lives commuting. I am concerned about the older people in our community who need affordable, more practical and communal options in the community in which they brought up their families.

I am also determined to help find a way that their children are not locked out of living close to their whanau. These things can all best happen with well supported housing intensification. (HELEN WHITE)  PN

This article was funded by the Parliamentary Service. www.facebook.com/HelenWhiteLabour

STYLE AND SUBSTANCE

Meet Patrick McAteer - aficionado of fine food and fine watches, level-headed local, and real estate agent with New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty.

Patrick’s professional life includes coming up through the ranks of sales and marketing roles, MD of an advertising agency, GM of a music TV channel, CEO of a film company, restaurant owner/operator and even a heli-biking guide.

After a varied and fast-paced career in the business world he is jumping into the deep end of real estate with senior roles at an award winning real estate agency.

Now Patrick has joined New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty (NZSIR) - where his appreciation for quality meets his work ethic.

Sotheby’s International Realty, launched in 1976, is the world’s leading and pre-eminent luxury residential real estate company with nearly 1,000 offices worldwide. Their distinct point of difference is the ability to connect premium buyers to premium properties locally and globally through their referral system.

In 2005 Julian Brown and Mark Harris turned their existing real estate agency into New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty and subsequently achieved record sale prices across multiple sectors and regions in the New Zealand property market.

Now with offices throughout New Zealand and a renewed international demand for distinctive New Zealand property, the sales teams have been involved with over NZ$5 billion in sales.

They match their extraordinary properties with remarkable service. They’ve nurtured a culture of performance driven by a hand-picked team, each chosen because of their integrity, honesty, determination and ability. And that’s where Patrick comes in, joining a brand that feels like home. Whether running large organisations where shareholders needed assurance, or starting his own enterprises where he needed to back himself, meant Patrick is used to building businesses, building teams and building relationships.

“Here at NZSIR I feel like my personal brand and their premium brand are a nice match. I bring my experience, skills and values to the business of property with the backing of an international network and local integration.”

And together they are a perfect fit for the area. This neighbourhood is where quality properties abound and where Patrick has called home for the last 30 years.

“Everybody loves talking about property, but I’m all about acting on property. There can be a lot of emotion wrapped up in someone’s labour of love, family home or estate, so I’m here to represent, set the scene and attract attention.”

Living where you love being, yet originally from Fairlie in the South Island, and with time spent living and working in Germany and Wanaka, Patrick and the family have always returned back here for unmatched lifestyle, opportunities, friends, extended family and an extensive professional network.

Married with two busy teenagers who are his favorite companions on skiing and surfing expeditions, he gives back to his community by coaching sports and volunteering for Auckland Coastguard.

Every day begins by walking Border Collie ‘Fergie’ along the fantastic Westhaven waterfront. Patrick knows what it means to live here, and what it takes to sell here.  PN

For more information: Patrick McAteer, Agent Licensee REAA, E: patrick.mcateer@nzsir.com, T: 021 664 859

LOCAL NEWS IN THE SPOTLIGHT: TOGO BY MICHEL DUCAROY

Open any discerning design magazine and you’re almost guaranteed to see the coveted Togo settee gracing at least one of its glossy pages.

The portable and lightweight chair, complete with sumptuous folds of fabric, has caught the attention of many 20th century design devotees across the globe. In fact, more than 1.3 million Togo have been sold in 70 countries worldwide.

First imagined in 1973 by French designer Michel Ducaroy and hand made in France in furniture brand Ligne Roset’s own workshops, Togo has become somewhat of a phenomenon. And now, the hype has reached Kiwi shores with the opening of New Zealand's first exclusive Ligne Roset showroom in Grey Lynn last year.

France-based Ligne Roset Marketing Director and the founder’s great-great-grandson Antoine Roset credits the chair’s popularity and ability to withstand the ever-changing seasons of design to its unique structure and anti-conformist seating style.

“Lightness, durability and creativity are the key successes of Togo,” he says.

The legendary Ducaroy was born in 1925 and had an impeccable taste for materials and Togo is by far his most famous and iconic creation. In the designer’s own words, the cushioned seat was directly inspired by “a toothpaste tube folded over itself like a stovepipe and closed at both ends”.

Ducaroy joined the Roset company, located in France’s Ain region, in 1954, where he served as one of three major inhouse designers and managed the design department until his passing in 2009.

Ever since its creation, Ligne Roset has scrupulously respected the manufacturing stages and the six hours of work required to produce just one Togo settee, one stitch at a time.

The meticulous craft has resulted in lengthy wait times for Togo. But it’s an art form Ligne Roset is committed to respect and maintain, determined not to mass produce items offshore using automated machinery. In a bid to tackle the time frame, the company has established an apprenticeship to impart novice workers the skills and knowledge required to upholster the iconic settee by hand.

Togo was presented for the first time at the Salon des Arts ménagers at the Palais de la Défense in Paris and despite mixed reviews, it was awarded a prize for its undeniable innovation. Jean Roset, who headed the family business at the time, had to field initial doubts about the design but believed so strongly in Ducaroy’s vision that he agreed to put the model into production. The public quickly took a liking to its enveloping shape and unique comfort, and the rest is history.

Following its widespread success, there are now multiple variations of Togo available, including a single seat 'fireside chair', small settee 'loveseat', large three-seat settee, chaise lounge style full length daybed, sofa with arms, and a footstool. There is even a children’s version of the popular fireside chair: 'Les Minis'.

Upholstery options include leather and more than 1,000 different colourways. And as the 50th anniversary of Togo approaches next year, a much-anticipated limited edition fabric run is set to be released, meaning the curiosity around Togo isn't likely to dissipate anytime soon.

Ligne Roset Auckland has regular shipments of Togo available in selected colours. See their website www.ligne.nz/togo for more information, or pop into the Grey Lynn showroom at 299 Great North Road.

DAVENPORTS LAW: PROTECTION AND PEACE OF MIND

Paul and Beth had been married for 35 years. They worked hard all their lives and with their first grandchild on the way were very much looking forward to retirement.

Tammy McLeod The nest egg they had grown was recently added to when Paul’s mother died. The basic three-bedroom home that she had lived in since Paul was a child was now in a sought-after area. When it sold, Paul and his brother received nearly one million dollars each. With the current turmoil in the financial and property markets, Paul and Beth weren’t sure how to invest, so their money sat in a joint bank account.

Paul and Beth were looking to downsize. There were a lot of new townhouses being built and they liked the idea of having a lock and leave, low maintenance property for their retirement so they put the family home on the market and signed off on the plans contract for a new build in a neighborhood close to their kids. The difference in the sale price of their home and the purchase of their new property got added to the joint account. Sadly, only a couple of months after moving into their new home, Paul had a massive heart attack and passed away. Beth was devastated, as were their children. Beth joined an online grief forum and spent most of her days talking to people online.

As we’re always telling our young people - you have to be very careful who you chat with online. But it’s a message we all need to hear - especially when vulnerable.

Unfortunately, Beth became friendly with a woman in the grief forum who was there with ulterior motives. It started small; first she asked Beth for a nominal loan, which Beth gladly gave her. A few months later, another request came, this time for a larger amount. The original loan had not been repaid, but Beth liked her new friend and felt she had plenty. And on it went until Beth had lent this woman the best part of $750,000. Beth’s children had no idea what was happening until one day her daughter was visiting and noticed a bank statement sitting on the kitchen bench. Not usually nosy, she glanced at the statement and saw several large withdrawals and a bank balance significantly less than she thought her parents should have. She questioned her mother, who became very defensive, but eventually confessed about her “friend” in the online chat.

Beth’s daughter swung into action and the police were called. Some of the money was recovered ultimately, but the whole episode was hugely traumatic for Beth and her family. Beth was so rattled that she never really regained her confidence. Could this have been prevented? The answer is yes.

On the face of it, there was never any real reason for Paul and Beth to establish a trust, but trusts do help protect vulnerable people. In this case, if the funds had been in a trust rather than a bank account, Beth would not have been able to make the payments that she did. The trust would have added a layer of protection.

Under the present law, if Beth had changed her will to leave her online “friend” all her assets, thereby disinheriting her children, her children would be able to make a claim under the Family Protection Act. However, there are current recommendations before parliament for changes to inheritance laws. If enacted, these new laws will take away the rights of children over the age of 25 to have a claim against their parents’ estate. As having a trust in place would protect families from this potential disaster, we believe it may result in a resurgence of trusts to protect family assets.

Your assets are worth protecting, consult a trust specialist for peace of mind.