THE PASSING OF A PONSONBY ICON: IN LOVING MEMORY OF DENNIS MICHAEL SEAN O'NEILL

Dennis was a resident of Grey Lynn since 1969 when he bought a villa in Cockburn Street.

Dennis started working life as a bank teller and was later sent around the country as a relief teller. He then moved on to be a paymaster for a major construction company. In the mid 70s, Dennis went to work at Ron the Pom’s fruit shop on the corner of Vermont Street and Ponsonby Road, and learnt the fruit and vegetable trade.

Later in the early 1980s when Ron closed the business, Dennis became a supplier to all of the new restaurants popping up on Ponsonby Road and its surrounds – Wheelers, Oblios, The Bronze Goat, Raffles, Rick’s Cafe American and many others became quite famous. Whilst Dennis was their supplier, he also ate and drank at all of them frequently and famously as he would always arrive with a crowd of revellers and stay till late; he was the ultimate party machine.

Dennis decided with his friend Julian Dobbie, the owner of Raffles, to open a fruit shop in Three Lamps and called it ‘Fruitique’. The shop was way ahead of its time in decor and in the way the highest-quality produce was displayed, right down to his daughters serving customers in the shop on their roller skates. Having the shop enabled restaurants to have produce on tap at any hour, and tap it they did. Dennis would get called out at all hours and that led to burnout and the shop eventually closing. The Stockmarket crash in the 80s didn’t help matters in the fancy fruit trade either. The shop that has stood there since is The Turkish Cafe.

Dennis also had a passion for cars, and with his friend Lesan bought a car at Turners Auction that was reputed to have been owned by the Aga Khan and Rita Hayworth and was one of only six made, a 1934 Humber Sports Saloon. The car was a show stopper up and down Ponsonby Road throughout the early and late 80s.

Dennis was born on 1 January, so every year he would get dressed up in top hat and tails and, with an entourage of similarly dressed friends, would take the Humber to the races where he would set up camp next to the parade ring so he could see the horses being led out. He reckoned that if they winked at him they were a winner. On one occasion, a horse that was running had the apt name of Stylish Dude and won Dennis the tidy sum of $2600.

In 2001, Dennis had a bad fall stepping over a newly installed chicane in Lincoln Street where his foot got stuck in the gap, smashing his ankle badly. This injury troubled him right up to his passing and of course slowed his activities down almost completely.

On 6 May Dennis passed away surrounded by his daughters Siobahn and Ani and his grandchildren Quentin, Dylan and Leiana.

Rest in Peace, dear Dennis. Your friend, Andy Palace

We are licenced for tamariki aged 2-5yrs and offer 20 hours free ECE and high teacher ratios.

FINALLY, THE EREBUS MEMORIAL WILL BE MOVED

A diverse community of mana whenua, Erebus families, residents, environmentalists, community advocates, everyday people who care passionately about their city and their parks, took on the Crown and the Prime Minister and won.

Yes, it took four years. Yes, it took thousands of hours. Yes, it took resources, energy, tenacity and grit. Yes, it was hard, exhausting and overwhelming at times. Yes, we were belittled and labelled and personally attacked. But it was worth it.

Make no mistake, the Erebus memorial was never going to succeed in Dove Myer Robinson Park. The Ministry knew that. They knew in 2018 they had made a poor choice of site, but ego and arrogance drove them down a path that let every stakeholder group down.

The weather events were a convenient excuse to cover up a flawed and unreasonable process that had divided and inflicted completely unnecessary hurt on Erebus families, the community and mana whenua. Aided and abetted by former Waitematā Local Board Chairs Pippa Coom and Richard Northey and Former Mayor Phil Goff, a backroom deal was done that cut out the people who mattered.

The Ministry never consulted, and they should have. The Local Board only consulted when forced to and even then ignored the feedback. The Ministry never listened to any voice of opposition. They prioritised a handful of Erebus families who agreed with them and ignored the balance (over 80%). They have operated by bullying and spinning facts to suit a narrative of kindness but the outcome was anything but kind.

The Ombudsman found both Auckland Council and the Ministry wanting. No amount of PR spin from the Ministry’s team can change the facts. They wasted four years and over $3 million dollars and have nothing to show for it, and have let the Erebus families down. What they have put the community through is unforgivable.

However, in every battle there are lessons – here are the lessons for the community:

1. When communities stand united, anything is possible.

2. Your parks, your community, the things you value are always worth fighting for.

3. If you see something that lacks integrity and do nothing, then you become like it. Stand up for what is right, always.

4. If you are principled and act accordingly, the right outcome will come, no matter how long it takes.

5. You can disagree with those who stand beside you on other matters, but you need to stand united on what matters.

6. The OIA is a fabulous tool that anyone can use and it's worth learning how. Democracy services at Auckland Council are incredibly helpful; reach out and use them.

7. Our parks and our shared spaces are treasures that once gone, can never be replaced. Fight to keep them open, shared and joyful.

8. A good cause always attracts good people and we have been blessed with the very best.

9. Sarah Trotman is an outstanding human being and her support for her community is the stuff of legends.

10. Always vote for those who will stand with the community, irrespective of the political party. But, for all our sake’s, vote.

We live in a world where spin and PR dictate so much of what we read and hear and therefore believe. The Ponsonby News magazine has always stood strongly for the community. Thank you, Martin and the team for backing us. Even if the fight was across town, we always felt like we were part of your community. You stepped into the breach when we sadly lost our local magazine, The Hobson, and we will be forever grateful.

Anne Coney & Jo Malcolm, jo@jomalcolm.com

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