PONSONBY NEWS - OCTOBER'16

+ PUBLISHED FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER 2016

Established: OCTOBER 1989 – CELEBRATING 27 YEARS OF PUBLISHING HISTORY!

ponsonbynews.co.nz

OCTOBER 2016

ASK FOR CHOICE

We want to see mandatory labelling of vegetable oils including palm oil, which can be produced without deforestation - Martin Leach

Meet Enzo, a pupil from Grey Lynn School pictured with Berani, an eight-year-old male Sumatran tiger @ Auckland Zoo...Enzo, Enzoahas raised Meet pupil fromover Grey Lynn $1100 He to help School. has Sumatran raised overtigers $1100 a species impacted to -help Sumatran tigersby- the a species palm oilbyindustry. impacted the palm oil industry.

DAW S O N & C O .

WHAT’S INSIDE THIS MONTH

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P47: Three Lamps, featuring Armando Koci and his chef Alessio of Gusto Italiano; P102: Summer's coming, which means outdoor living and entertaining

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FROM THE EDITOR COVER STORY - ENZO DAVID HARTNELL: ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW SHALE CHAMBERS: WAITEMATA LOCAL BOARD MIKE LEE, COUNCILLOR FOR WAITEMATA & GULF JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS U3A PONSONBY NIKKI KAYE: AUCKLAND CENTRAL MP JACINDA ARDERN: LABOUR LIST MP AUCKLAND

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LANDMARK BUILDINGS THREE LAMPS EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY VEG FRIENDLY: GARY STEEL PONSONBY NEWS READERS ARE EVERYWHERE FASHION + STYLE ANGELA LASSIG: LETTERS FROM MAUDIE HELENE RAVLICH: LOCAL FASHION LOVE

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SIDELINE WITH GEORGE BERRY PONSONBY PETS PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS HOME RENOVATION & OUTDOOR LIVING GARDENING WITH GRAHAM SHIEFF HEIDI PADAIN: ENTERTAINMENT IN YOUR GARDEN HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS ARTS + CULTURE

LIVING, THINKING & BEING JOHN APPLETON ON HEALTH FRONT COVER: Geoff Hedley Photography

PONSONBY NEWS+ is published monthly, excluding January by ALCHEMYY MEDIA LIMITED, L 11/386 RICHMOND ROAD, GREY LYNN POSTAL: P.O. BOX 47-282 Ponsonby, Auckland 1144. www.ponsonbynews.co.nz T: 09 378 8553 or 09 361 3356 Editor/Publisher Associate Publisher & Ad Manager Distribution Manager Advertising Sales Operations Manager Contributing Fashion Editor Contributing Music Editor Contributing Editor Contributing Editor Proof Readers Layout Designer Designer

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WE KNOW THERE’S STILL 3 MONTHS TO GO, BUT HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT YOUR WORK FUNCTION YET? 3 private dining areas available

for up to 38 people!

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Spring’s here, which means it’s time to stretch those legs again. And where better to stroll than Ponsonby Road, where you can take your taste buds on a global excursion whilst sitting under the Southern Cross. Go on, you’ll walk it off. Share our discoveries – keithandsandy.co.nz

Custom Residential Ltd | Licensed REAA 2008

LETTERS + EMAILS Bashford Antiques private property and parking I am the owner of Bashford Antiques Limited, and 15 years ago I purchased two residential and commercial-zoned properties at 24 Williamson Avenue. It included retail spaces, apartments and vehicle parking.

Views in Ponsonby News reflect the authors’ and not those of Alchemy Media.

DIARY DATE: SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER

The property is licensed with New Zealand Customs and the Ministry for Primary Industries as a transitional facility and has 40-foot containers arriving day and night. We also carry very valuable stock. Controlling which vehicles park on our property is part of our security protocol; many times we have returned to our property to find that every parking space is occupied by Pane e Vino customers. These parks are for the sole use of the property’s commercial and residential occupiers.

Years ago, parking was not so much of an issue but as the area has developed, parking on the street has become scarce. Bashford Antiques Limited has erected a surfeit of signage to deter unlawful parking on the property. This proved to be ineffective, so I asked for Auckland Towing’s assistance to patrol the car park. Tenants reside above the two buildings. Disturbance caused by late night unlawful parking escalated, car alarms, loud talking, drinking and vandalizing of the garden. Pane e Vino blatantly persisted in directing their customers to park on Bashford’s property despite verbal and written warnings to cease and desist since they opened.

In the past year, Auckland Towing was thwarted regularly when, on arrival, Pane e Vino customers would run to their car and hop in after being alerted by a restaurant staff member ‘lookout’. Auckland Towing cannot tow a car if it is occupied. The ‘Parking Roulette’ continued, so in June it was decided as a last resort to wheel clamp, which is perfectly legal - check with your community constable.

As much as I don’t like telling tales, I feel my hand has been forced with the one-sided reporting of this story. In the recent TV3 Story programme, Tito Cucciniello of Pane e Vino referred to 'community spirit'. Perhaps he could explain why he has used our property's vehicle parking as the required parking on his restaurant resource consent and liquor licence application documentation. These are all on public record with the Auckland City Council (we informed Dale Owens at TV3 about this but he deliberately disregarded it in his coverage). Cucciniello then had the audacity to advertise parking for his customers at our property on his website! (Dale Owens at TV3 Story was sent evidence of this also but chose to run with his salacious hit job).

The clamping has been very effective and has substantially reduced the illegal parking, to the point that the problem has almost totally ceased and I am most grateful to Michael Organ for his impeccable assistance in this matter.

On the positive side, we have been overwhelmed by the support from locals, others throughout the country, and even from overseas. We have received flowers, wine, handshakes of congratulations from perfect strangers, messages and phone calls. Also, sales have been at record levels, possibly as a consequence of all the publicity we received, so it just shows, stand up to the bullies and in the end you will win.

Jillian Bashford-Evers, Grey Lynn Ponsonby people & their pets In the September Ponsonby News you had an article on Jan Hewitt about her beloved British shorthair. I fell in love with her cat and, as I am thinking of getting one, I am really interested in finding out who her breeder is. I am not sure if you are able to help me by either passing on my details to her and maybe she could contact me or perhaps I can get her email. I would be grateful if you can help.

Anna Willis, by email

69,000 READERS PER MONTH

8 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

(Nielsen Media)

Little Grocer site The Environment Court has allowed the appeal by Oddfellows Holdings to establish a cafe on the residential site at 311 Richmond Road, on the corner of Peel Street.

The consent allows the cafe to occupy the entire house on the site. While the committee and close supporters of The Grey Lynn and Westmere Residents’ Society Inc have been successful in limiting the scale, intensity and operating hours of this non-complying activity, we are naturally disappointed that another Auckland home is perhaps gone forever.

In an attempt to find some middle ground, The Grey Lynn and Westmere Residents’ Society had proposed and drawn up plans for an alternative vision for the site, which allows for a small cafe in the existing Little Grocer footprint, while retaining the two residential dwellings at the rear of the site. We thought this seemed a sensible approach for a residential-zoned site in an area already well-served by cafes - and at a time when Auckland needs more houses.

The site retains its residential status under the Unitary Plan, which suggests to us that this case may set a concerning precedent for more wholly commercial use of residential -zoned land in Auckland. Some details of the conditions of the consent are still to be established by the Court.

We would like to thank Ponsonby News and the community for your support over the past two and a half years through this lengthy, often frustrating and costly legal process.

Jess Fowler, Susan Hirst, Ange Travers, Jo Patterson & Mattie Wall, For The Grey Lynn and Westmere Residents’ Society Inc Horoscopes - September issue I am an avid reader of your publication. Especially the Horoscope section. It has been a steady source of my monthly juvenile fun. It was distressing when I cannot find my beloved monthly horoscope. I searched through the September issue from cover to cover.

Please bring back my horoscope, not pics of Pompous Ponsonby Public figures (PPPP) shaking hands with each other and smiling with mouths ajar.

Sincerely yours, Distressed Reader.

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FROM THE EDITOR THIS ISSUE MARKS THE 27TH ANNIVERSARY OF PONSONBY NEWS. LOOKING BACK at the early issues, we’ve come along way since the eight-page first issue. What hasn’t changed is our mantra - think global, shop and support local. As our readers know, Ponsonby News celebrates community spirit.

photography: Geoff Hedley Photography

Sometimes it’s the small things in life, which can make all the difference. The Ponsonby News team is delighted to have Enzo from Grey Lynn School on our front cover.

Working with Auckland Zoo, this young pupil has raised over $1100 to help boost awareness of palm oil labeling. Two local businesses - Ecostore and Nature Baby - tell us they have pushed their suppliers to switch to a certified sustainable and managed palm oil supply.

Now we need your help. Please visit: wwwunmaskplamoil.com sign and send the template which is asking New Zealand Food Minister Jo Goodhew to vote yes in November to introducing mandatory labeling of vegetable oils, including palm oil. This is an issue that the team is passionate about.

Perched on the ridge where College Hill, Jervois Road, St Marys Road and Ponsonby Road meet, the Three Lamps area is still making its mark as a hub for business, food, fashion and more.

Martin Leach is pictured at Auckland Zoo signing and sending the template to Jo Goodhew

This issue includes a feature on home renovations and outdoor living. Preparing a house for sale? Planning a renovation or simply preparing for great outdoor summer living? It’s all in this issue.

Voting closes in our local body and mayoralty elections on Saturday 8 October, so if you haven’t cast your vote, please be quick.

The team are big fans of Jason Statham, a well-known actor in movies including The Transporter, Fast 8, Furious 7 and Snatch, has been renting a five-bedroom home in Westmere, while shooting killer-shark film Meg. Keep your eyes peeled as he's been seen in Ponsonby Central, Catroux, Dear Jervois, Harvest Wholefoods and on our corner of Hakanoa Street at Cup & Bun.

Corrinne Clark & Pauline Fell outside Countdown Ponsonby

Kym Aiken & Dianne Barron outside Nosh

Tony Murrell outside Nosh

Our community cares about our environmental future and an integral part of this is to ensure a flourishing future for bees. Check out the Pollinator Paths which have been set up close to our office in Hakanoa Reserve.

We will be sad to see Gerry and Sally leave the Great Ponsonby Art Hotel from April 2017.

It will have new owners and we are informed it will be business as usual.

It’s a scary thought but we have only two more issues until Christmas. Our November edition features holiday reading, children’s education, holiday motoring and Christmas gift ideas. Look forward to the December issue with Christmas dining, Christmas gifts, Summer hair and beauty, children and school holidays.

PN Enjoy this issue. (MARTIN LEACH) F

Jan Hewitt, Bridget Ogle & Ellen Ayers outside Countdown Richmond Road

Jonathan Sissons outside Farro Fresh, Grey Lynn

PONSONBY RESIDENTS HEAD OUT AS COLLECTORS ON DAFFODIL DAY The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

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LOCAL NEWS ENZO’S ON A MISSION TO HELP SAVE TIGERS Enzo Vivace of Grey Lynn is a little local with a big heart who is combining his love for art and tigers to help the critically endangered cats.

“I wanted to do something to help Sumatran tigers because they are beautiful and endangered, and art is one of my favourite things to do, so mixing them is cool,” says Enzo.

Nine-year-old Enzo, who attends Grey Lynn School, fell in love with tigers after watching the BBC series ‘Tigers About the House’ that included host Giles Clark following anti-poaching units in Sumatra.

Through selling his tiger artwork and wrist bands ($2 - $5) as well as fundraising online, Enzo has so far raised more than $1100 to help Sumatran tigers, and is still busy growing his efforts with more creative projects.

“Mum has helped me set up an Everyday Hero page so everybody can give to that. I’m doing a tiger-themed photo booth at home where our friends can pay $5 to get a framed photo they can share online. I’m also going to sell more art and we’ll be having lemonade stands outside our house in summer,” says Enzo.

Funds raised are being donated to the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund to support the crucial habitat protection and anti-poaching work of 21st Century Tiger and its Tiger Protection Conservation Units in, and surrounding, Sumatra’s Kerinci Seblat National Park. This 1.38 million ha tropical forest is home to the single largest Sumatran tiger population - at least 166 individuals. Auckland Zoo has been supporting this project for 10 years.

Auckland Zoo Carnivore team leader and tiger lover Lauren Booth, is full of praise for the youngster’s efforts and even met up with Enzo recently at the zoo to thank him and talk tigers.

Ask for Choice to help wildlife

Habitat loss, from deforestation for palm oil and acacia plantations, and poaching for illegal trade, remain the greatest threats to Sumatran tigers, whose population is estimated to be as few as 400.

Palm oil is estimated to be in 50% of all supermarket products, but at present, under Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s (FSANZ) code of standards, it only has to be labelled as vegetable oil. So you don’t know which oil it is, or whether it is deforestation-free.

Enzo’s mum, Sally Frewin, says: “Enzo has shown me that one person really can make a tangible difference to a global problem. Sometimes as adults we can think that the problem is too big and can’t be fixed, but Enzo decided he could help, and he is.

“The wonderful news is that the tireless work being done on the ground in Sumatra is working, but it still needs our ongoing support, and the sorry truth is that if we don’t act now, tigers may be extinct in Enzo’s lifetime, which would be an absolute tragedy.”

Adds Sally: “Visiting Auckland Zoo and seeing its three Sumatran tigers just reinforces our commitment to the cause. They are such stunningly beautiful creatures and we have to do everything we can to prevent poaching and the devastation of their habitat through unsustainable palm oil farming practices. We whole-heartedly support the Unmask Palm Oil Campaign and hope Ponsonby News readers will too.”

To support Enzo’s fundraising efforts, visit: https://give.everydayhero.com/nz/ help-me-save-sumatran-tigers To view and purchase Enzo’s artwork: email sally@vivace.co.nz Watch a video on Enzo: www.aucklandzoo.co.nz\zootales

Auckland Zoo, with Unmask Palm Oil and its Australasian Zoo colleagues, is calling on Kiwis to support the mandatory labelling of palm oil in food products.

Unmask Palm Oil director Ben Dowdle says: “Palm oil can be the most environmentally sustainable, cost-effective and versatile vegetable oil, but it will take consumers demanding that companies use Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) to achieve this.

“Without consumer pressure, the palm oil industry will continue as it is. Following the introduction of mandatory labelling in Europe, the use of CSPO rose by 65% in the six months leading up to the change - illustrating that labelling is one of the most effective tools to drive sustainable practices,” adds Ben. “The Ponsonby News team is delighted to have nineyear-old Enzo from Grey Lynn on our front cover. He’s a shining example of how one individual can make a big difference. As well as his amazing fundraising efforts to help tigers, Enzo and his family are supporting the Ask for Choice campaign. We’re asking you our readers to also support Ask for Choice.

Visit www.unmaskplamoil.com and simply sign and send the template letter to New Zealand Food Safety Minister Jo Goodhew asking her to vote ‘YES’ this November to introducing mandatory labelling of vegetable oils, including palm oil."

MARTIN LEACH, EDITOR, PONSONBY NEWS

photography: Geoff Hedley Photography

“It’s incredible to see someone as young as Enzo so passionate and aware of what these beautiful big cats

are up against in the wild, and doing so much to help. As Enzo discovered himself, through the protection units we support, it costs $5 a day to protect one tiger in the wild, so his $5 artworks are a great way to help.”

10 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

TO HELP ORANGUTANS Support palm oil labelling on products Visit unmaskpalmoil.com

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

11

Stewart Morgan The Science behind Successful Real Estate Results Stewart Morgan BSc(Hons) M +64 21 933 305 stewart.morgan@sothebysrealty.com 160 Jervois Road, Herne Bay, Auckland nzsothebysrealty.com

Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Browns Real Estate Limited (licensed under the REAA 2008) MREINZ.

Charlotte Kofoed Always going above and beyond to achieve your best result Charlotte Kofoed M +64 21 241 9394 charlotte.kofoed@sothebysrealty.com 160 Jervois Road, Herne Bay, Auckland nzsothebysrealty.com

DAVID HARTNELL’S ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW John Bridges - producer, writer, author, TV producer and TV presenter living in Kingsland.

What was your childhood like?

Full of books, bikes, trips back to the United States and it was delightful. It delivered me to adulthood as a fully fledged nerd. I loved it.

Who do you think is the most annoying celebrity today?

Miley Cyrus, who's telling everyone she came in on a wrecking ball. Rubbish. Nobody comes in on a wrecking ball, no matter how cool or rich they are. She came in on a train or a bus if anything.

What is it like producing the TV series 7 Days?

It's a great privilege. We all know we're living an extended dream to still be doing such a fun series after almost 200 episodes and six years.

Which comedy do you prefer, American or English?

Neither, both, all of the above. Anyone who claims to prefer one over the other doesn't really love comedy because there are examples of life-changing brilliance from both sides of the Atlantic. Seinfeld, The Office, Monty Python, Talledega Nights. Actually if anything I'm a great fan of Danish comedy.

The best thing you have brought back from an overseas trip?

A suntan. I went to Niue in June, and I brought back a tan that pissed off all my friends.

Who is the greatest love of your life?

My baby son Zeno. Clearly I'm genetically programmed to cherish him, but he is also the best thing that has ever existed in the world.

How would you like to be remembered?

As “The miracle man that never died".

What do you love most about your age?

I'll never be this young again. I think that's the only good thing I can say about it.

What is something that you really disapprove of?

Littering, anonymous commenters saying awful things on the internet, and astrology.

What is your biggest disappointment?

Our lack of commitment to proper use of the apostrophe.

What's your comfort food?

A beautiful piece of steak and a rocket, pear, walnut and parmesan salad. I'd have it every week if my wife Gemma would let me.

What do you think happens when we die?

This wonderful and brief dream of life we are having is over, and there's nothing else for us. So we'd better enjoy it.

What is your all-time favourite movie?

Talladega Nights starring Will Ferrell because in it a small child says to his grandfather, "I'll come at you like a spider monkey".

When is the last time you cried?

To be honest I'm a massive sook. I cry most days. I cry at books and TV programmes about cars. I cried a little bit last night putting my boy to bed because it's heartbreaking being a parent.

Give your teenaged self some advice?

Stop playing Dungeons and Dragons.

Which item of clothing can't you live without?

I've got a million little merino t-shirts from Icebreaker, apart from them, my clothes all appear to bear a grudge against me!

14 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

What are you insecure about?

What will happen in the future? I'm really stoked about the past and the present. It's only the future that I get a bit anxious about.

Tell us something very few people know about you?

I'm American, I was born in America and my name is the same as my father's so I'm Jon Stephen Bridges Jr. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Nothing to do for the day except ride my bike up one of the great climbs of the French Alps.

What is your greatest fear?

Spiders and heights! My greatest fear is falling off a giant spider.

Who is your favourite hero of fiction?

Rupert the Bear! Despite being another species, he overcame a lot of bigotry and prejudice to be accepted in human society.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Musical talent! I hate everybody musical. Lucky, lucky bastards, I hate you.

Had any acting aspirations?

I have appeared twice on Shortland Street, including infamously as "Bad Rapper". So, no.

What cliché do you most abhor?

Everything happens for a reason.

What gizmo can you not live without?

The derailleur gear on my bike.

Are you a handshake or a hug person?

I'll go for both at the same time. Awkward, but also both respectful and loving.

What is the best holiday you ever had?

Three months and 5500km riding my bike through Europe with a tent on the back. Italy, PN France, Germany, Switzerland - the trip of a lifetime. (DAVID HARTNELL, MNZM) F

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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SHALE CHAMBERS: WAITEMATA LOCAL BOARD REPORT

The people have spoken - let the new council commence By the time Ponsonby News arrives we will have a new mayor, council, and local board for the 2016-19 period.

Thanks to all those who came to the public meetings in Parnell and Grey Lynn to hear all the candidates, to those who took the time to read the multitude of leaflets in your letterboxes, or went online to learn a little more about the candidates before making your final voting decisions. Of course, I hope that most have chosen to support me and my City Vision team, Mike Lee as your Councillor, and Phil Goff for our next Mayor, but even if others were your preferred candidates, I thank you for participating in the voting process.

The Super City is now six years old. Twenty-one local boards bring local decision-making, and remain the democracy contact point for most residents and ratepayers. We can all see Auckland improve almost, daily, around us - we simply need to remember that it was only six years ago, before the 2011 Rugby World Cup, that Wynyard Quarter didn't exist, the magenta Lightpath cycleway wasn't contemplated, and the CRL wasn't even a project.

When reflecting on the last term of Council, it was amazing to look back at my inaugural meeting address of only three years earlier, where I ambitiously targeted certain regional outcomes for Auckland in this three year term, and I am quoting: "construction of the City Rail Link commenced; the Parnell railway station, set in its rail heritage precinct opened; SkyPath, the Harbour Bridge walking and cycling pathway opened; the trams returned to the Wynyard Quarter, and light rail to Britomart as a confirmed, planned project; Waterfront Auckland’s Westhaven walking and cycling boardwalk opened; and Auckland Transport commit to greater delivery of completion of the Auckland Cycle Network and the on-road component of local boards’ Greenways’ plans."

Three have been delivered, and all but light rail are confirmed projects in delivery phase, and even that has been committed to by our likely new Mayor.

At the local board level, I wished, amongst many other projects, to see us deliver the redeveloped Ellen Melville/Pioneer Women’s Hall opened as a vibrant community hub; the significant upgrade of Myers Park completed in time for its centenary in 2015; the Mayoral Drive underpass redeveloped as a safe open space entrance to Myers Park; a multi-board community-led local resource recovery centre opened for business; the 1.4km Weona-Westmere coastal walkway constructed; the Pt Resolution Reserve and headland

16 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

developed as part of a Taurarua/Pt Resolution Master Plan; a village square or park in Ponsonby Road opened, as part of the Ponsonby Road Master Plan; a Waitemata heritage and character assessment of Grey Lynn and Westmere completed; and a Waitemata Local Area Plan, to build on the Unitary Plan, completed in full consultation with the community.

Whilst some may be taking a little longer to deliver than wished, all but an area plan post -Unitary Plan seem to be in hand. It pays to be ambitious.

We are also confident this will be another year of great achievements at the local level that will contribute to make Waitemata an even better place to live. The following weeks or months will bring some milestones such as the completion of the Western Park and Grey Lynn Park improvements, the opening of the Weona-Westmere costal walkway, the construction stage of the redeveloped Ellen Melville Centre progressed, the Teed Street improvements in Newmarket underway, and the Myers Park upgrade completed with the construction of the Mayoral Drive underpass, artwork and splash pad. We will continue to support the extension of the walking and cycling network, and the development of a new multi-use clubroom facility for the Richmond Rovers League Club at Grey Lynn Park. We will continue to work with Auckland Transport to finalise the roll out of residential parking zones in the inner city suburbs.

It has been a privilege to lead an effective, action-focused local board these last three years.

I would like to thank Martin Leach and Ponsonby News once again for the opportunity to contribute this column each month; my local board members; my hard-working City Vision colleagues, deputy Pippa Coom, Christopher Dempsey, Vernon Tava, and Deborah Yates, and fellow members, Greg Moyle and Rob Thomas for all their respective contributions to the successes of the board and, last but not least, our engaged and active communities.

Without your support the progress made to date would not have been possible.

There remains much to do, and I certainly hope to be a part of it. (SHALE CHAMBERS) F PN Contact me: shale.chambers@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

MIKE LEE: COUNCILLOR FOR WAITEMATA & GULF

Auckland at the crossroads As I write, voting is underway for the local body elections.

I am seeking re-election for a third term as Auckland Councillor for the Waitemata & Gulf ward, the heart of historic Auckland. As the name suggests, the Waitemata & Gulf is bounded by the harbour to the north and extends from Parnell to the east, the CBD, Freemans Bay, St Marys Bay, Herne Bay - as far west as Westmere. To the south it includes Newmarket, Grafton, Newton, Arch Hill and Western Springs - and the heartland of Ponsonby and Grey Lynn. Someone once called this the 'capital of Auckland' and I guess it is. The ward also includes the Hauraki Gulf islands, Waiheke, Rakino and out to Great Barrier Island, 100km away. There are smaller islands too - some with just one or two people living there. While all of these communities are unique, I have found a progressive political outlook is a unifying factor across the whole ward.

Waitemata & Gulf (Auckland Central) then is a sophisticated electorate, therefore not a ‘safe seat’ for anyone. While I have won this electorate before with substantial majorities, I never take elections or this electorate for granted. Accordingly, I have been campaigning as hard as I can - door-knocking, meeting residents and hearing their views.

The feedback I have been getting is almost universally similar - that the Super City has lost direction, that bureaucrats have too much power and that the council and its Council-Controlled Organisations (CCOs) have become increasingly high-handed in the way they deal with the public.

It has also become glaringly obvious that the council spends way too much money on itself rather than on what the people of Auckland want. Sadly, too many residents - far from seeing council management as their public servants - wonder whether these people are even friends. In other words, there is a great deal of disaffection with the Super City and with its corporate culture. This has to change. Hopefully with a new mayor and council it will - but Auckland is indeed at the crossroads.

Transport is a particular worry, with rising traffic congestion and given the extensive powers of Auckland Transport a lot of dissatisfaction at the way this CCO responds to public concerns. While everyone is relieved to see the City Rail Link is underway at last, the decision by Auckland Transport and the Government to exclude the possibility of future trains to Auckland Airport is deeply unpopular with just about everyone I talk to.

Another widespread concern is about the gradual loss of our historic townscapes and heritage buildings. I intend to work with groups like the Character Coalition and our residents’ associations to ensure that the special character overlays that cover a large part of the ward are strengthened and that our unique heritage and character buildings are given better protection.

18 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

Other policies that I have been formulating after listening to small-business owners relate to the commercial vitality of high street retail in Ponsonby, Karangahape Road, Parnell and Newmarket. I spent quite a lot of time and effort during my time as chairman of the ARC to open Queens Wharf up to the public while also making Queens Wharf our premier cruise terminal. Now we receive over 115 cruise ship visits per year - some 188,000 passengers and crew with a claimed economic value to Auckland of $190 million. But how much economic benefit are Ponsonby and Parnell businesses getting out of this?

It seems most cruise ship passengers get bussed off to places like Rotorua and Matamata. If I’m re-elected, I am going to work with our business associations and the cruise ship sector to get more cruise visitors up to our retail and entertainment strips. In Ponsonby (until we get that tram service), we should make the Inner Link bus a part of a ‘ship to shop’ cruise ship visitor outing package. In Parnell, with its soon-to-be-opened heritage station, we can use the train. Getting cruise ship visitors to our inner city shops, cafes and restaurants I believe is an obvious way to inject economic activity and jobs into the ward.

Another issue that is troubling people is homelessness - the spectacle of people sleeping in the streets. I have to confess it was only a few months ago that I learned from a group of concerned citizens that Auckland is the only city in New Zealand that doesn’t have a night shelter. The one we did have in Airedale Street was closed and demolished in 2012. The Government should be the lead agency in these matters but the council also needs to lend a hand. What’s the point of upgrading street furniture and facilities if we have poor people sleeping on the footpaths. This is not the spirit of the proud, go-ahead Auckland (‘the Queen’s City’) our ancestors bequeathed to us. Leadership and contribution from the council for a night shelter would be helpful.

Finally, to take up where I left off at the beginning of this article, whatever the outcome of this election it has been a real privilege to serve as the ward councillor for the Waitemata & Gulf ward - the most progressive, sophisticated, artistic, go-ahead and generous community in New Zealand.

I am pleased to be endorsed by City Vision and have a strong working partnership with Waitemata Board chair Shale Chambers and members Pippa Coom and Vernon Tava. I am also especially impressed with City Vision’s dynamic young candidates Adrian Christie, Chang Hung and Kurt Taogaga. These talented young people are the PN future and deserve our support. (MIKE LEE) F Mike Lee is the Auckland Councillor for Waitemata & Gulf ward.www.mikelee.co.nz

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS

Growing food in the city World-famous environmentalist Professor David Suzuki of Canada asked recently in an article for the Suzuki Foundation, “How much food can cities produce?”

He pointed out that by 2050 “66% of us will live in urban environments.”

Producing more food in the city will mitigate against climate change, by producing food where people live, and taking some pressure off rural land.

Suzuki says, “from some balcony, backyard, rooftop, indoor community garden, to city beehives and chicken coops to larger urban farms and farmers’ markets, growing and distributing local food to nearby citizens is a healthy way to help the environment.”

Former Vancouver city councillor Peter Ladner writes, “When urban agriculture flourishes our children are healthier and smarter about what they eat, fewer people are hungry, there are more local jobs, local economies are stronger, our neighbourhoods are greener and safer, and our communities are more inclusive.”

A 2016 study from the United States John Hopkins Centre for a Liveable Future found that urban agriculture could “increase social capital, community well-being, and civic engagement with the food system.” Gardening, that study said, “is therapeutic.”

One patch of Detroit city land where 12 vacant houses were removed to grow food has supplied almost 200,000 kg of produce for 2000 local families, provided volunteer experience to 8000 residents and brought the area new investment and increased safety.

We who live in the Ponsonby News catchment know only too well what a great job Kelmarna Gardens does in our community, providing fresh organic produce and hosting mental health people who gain tremendously from the therapeutic benefits of gardening.

We love, too, our local Farmers' Market, at the Grey Lynn Community Centre.

I had not realised how much community gardening was going on in Auckland until I began reading for this article. There are some amazing initiatives, including Urban Pantry.

Emily Harris tossed in a job as a judge’s clerk at the High Court to start Urban Pantry.

The organisation focuses on bringing communities together by growing edible gardens in the city. Their first project was transforming a rooftop on High Street in the central city.

The latest was a Crowd Grown Fest served up by Popdining at Silo Park. Growing the food is important, says Emily, but bringing people together to meet new people and learn new skills will boost the sense of community and the environment.

Tom Wichman is a Cook Islander who travelled the world working for the Cook Islands Government. He has a new mission - helping Pasifika people in Auckland to grow fresh food, cheaply - just like they do in the Islands.

As Tom’s weight crept up, his health deteriorated, and then he developed diabetes, and finally cancer. So he changed his diet. These days he is fitter and healthier, his diabetes is under control and he has beaten the cancer.

In the sandy outer islands of his homeland, Tom has established hydroponic gardens that are now feeding the locals and they are selling the surplus.

Tom reckons more than 100 people have been involved in the Mangere Community Gardens and the positive spin-off is that people then create their own gardens at home.

The gardens are organic and, in a little shed on the property, Tom is also trialling aquaculture and hydroponics.

“You can live in the city but still grow your own healthy food,” says Tom Wichman, now in his mid 70s.

Community gardens are a growing trend in Auckland, and there are now lots of places where people young or old can learn how to reap what they sow.

Beehives are also springing up around the city, especially on rooftops, and an organisation called Beez things offers to rent beehives in the urban area. They will supply the hives and the bees, maintain them, and teach you how to look after them yourself. They swear you will love the delicious smells and the gentle hum of bees - not forgetting fresh, homemade honey!

Unfortunately, Auckland Transport has not entered into the spirit of community gardening. They have outlawed roadside gardens and forced residents to apply for a $150 licence if they want to deviate from strict new rules they are imposing.

There are various internet sites where you can find out how to get started on a garden, or join an existing group.

A final word from David Suzuki: “Cities needn’t be wastelands of car-choked roads and pavements. Incorporating food production into ever-expanding urban areas makes cities more liveable and enhances the natural systems that keep us alive and healthy.”

PN (JOHN ELLIOTT) F

Harris says getting your hands dirty in the garden is a great activity at any stage of life.

Like me, Harris remembers helping her dad in the home vegetable patch.

LOCAL NEWS FORMER MAYOR WELCOMES NEW FUNDING FOR HOMELESSNESS Former Auckland Mayor Len Brown welcomed a decision by councillors to approve $2 million of funding to the James Liston Hostel in Freemans Bay as an important step towards eliminating rough sleeping.

The funding comes from the City Centre Targeted Rate and the hostel will use the money for a variety of initiatives including a renovation, new beds and more showers and bathrooms.

“Combined with the roll out of the highly effective Housing First model by LifeWise and the Auckland City Mission, this has the potential to eliminate rough sleeping in Auckland’s city centre in the next few years,” says Len Brown.

“I want to thank city centre businesses and the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board for their support of this initiative. It shows a real commitment to improving the lives of some of our most vulnerable citizens.” F PN

20 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

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RACHAEL TE AOTONGA: LEYS INSTITUTE LIBRARY NEWS Joining Auckland Libraries is free for residents and ratepayers of the Auckland Council region.

We welcome prospective members from newborns upwards; in fact, we strongly encourage children to have their own card to give them the best head start in the world of books and information. It’s never too early to get reading to the little people in your life. Reading promotes school readiness, building vocabulary and literacy skills while improving memory and concentration.

Studies have shown that reading to your children for 20 minutes a day will expose them to 1.8 million words a year. That is a lot of words!

We are delighted to offer you a selection of new library cards, which come from the designs of last year’s summer reading programme. Here is an overview of the many benefits of becoming a member of your local library: • Auckland Libraries is the largest library group in Australasia.

• Auckland Libraries has free lending collections and a small number of rental collections.

• Library members can request an item from any of the libraries in Auckland Libraries for free.

• There is free internet access and wi-fi in all libraries.

• Events and programmes include Wriggle and Rhyme: Active Movement for Early Learning for babies; story-time for toddlers; book clubs; author talks; French Conversation Group and school holiday programmes. You can even book a librarian for one-on-one instruction in using our online service, creating a CV or just for help learning basic computer skills.

• There are approximately 3.5 million items in the collection including fiction and non-fiction books, sheet music, CDs, DVDs, games, audio books, foreign language and reference materials.

• The DVD collection is outstanding: so many movies, including from past film festivals, TV series and documentaries are available.

• The Digital Library includes over 100 databases that provide access to the world’s information as well as a large collection of ebooks and e-audio books that can be downloaded.

All these great services on offer to you as well as friendly, professional staff who are always happy to help you and your family find your next great read. So what are you waiting for? Come by and visit us soon, and if you’re not already a member, do check out the Auckland Libraries website and complete the membership form to join.

Halloween Story Time, Friday 28 October 6.15-7pm Grab your precious little ghosts, witches and goblins and head down to Leys Institute Library (Ponsonby) on Friday 28 October for our special Halloween storytime. Join us after the library has closed for a devilishly good time with some spooky stories and ghoulish activities in anticipation of the most hair-raising night of the year. (RACHAEL TE AOTONGA) F PN LEYS INSTITUTE, 20 St Marys Road, T: 09 374 1315, www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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PONSONBY U3A: SEPTEMBER 2016 With New Zealand Opera’s Auckland season of Sweeney Todd about to open, it was apt that the U3A guest speaker for September was Andrew Gordon, the company’s Audience Engagement Co-ordinator.

Sweeney Todd is a co-production with Victorian Opera and is NZ Opera’s third main stage production this year, following La Traviata and The Magic Flute, performed in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. "Some might argue that Sweeney Todd the demon barber of Fleet Street is not a proper opera," said Andrew. "But it has been performed in opera houses around the world, giving a complete and satisfying performance."

Andrew’s role is to research, plan and implement activities designed to grow and deepen New Zealand Opera’s relationship with its existing and potential audiences in the greater Auckland region, from young children to community groups. He outlined the history of opera in New Zealand from its earliest days in the 1860s when groups would tour from Australia. New Zealand Opera, the professional face of opera in this country, was formed in 2000 with the merger of the National Opera (Wellington) and Opera New Zealand (Auckland) and in 2012 it merged again with Southern Opera in Christchurch.

U3A member Dr Steve Skinner worked in many significant areas in his 45-year career as a medical researcher, both here and overseas. He called his 10 minute talk 'How to cure Parkinson’s?' and took his audience through a research programme started 20 years ago at the Auckland Medical School, when he and a colleague talked about what could be done about brain disease - in particular the difficultly delivering treatment to the brain. Their interest was Parkinson’s disease. It took 10 years for them to develop a delivery method for cells that produce growth factor to the appropriate part of the brain. About two and a half years ago, the first clinical trials were started, which have been successful, showing an average of 20% improvement.

As of the middle of next year, treatment, developed by Auckland biotechnology company Living Cell Technologies, may be made available. He said the question mark at the end of the title is "because it is not yet set in concrete".

Steve and his wife Margot, recently retired Professor in Food Science at Auckland University, are co-convenors of U3A’s new Science Special Interest Group.

Two other new groups Poetry and Concert Going are underway, joining the 16 existing groups that provide learning and leisure activities for U3A members.

Andrew Gordon, New Zealand Opera with U3A member Annie Webster

Ponsonby U3A meets on the second Friday morning of the month. Visitors are welcome to attend a meeting, but should telephone Collene Roche (T: 373 3277) beforehand.

PN Guest speaker for the October meeting will be Chris Orr, Access and Awareness Advisor, Blind Foundation. (PHILIPPA TAIT) F

NEXT MEETING: 9.45am, Friday 14 October, Herne Bay Petanque Club, Salisbury Street Reserve, Herne Bay. ENQUIRIES: Collene Roche, President Ponsonby U3A. T: 09 373 3277, www.u3aponsonby.org.nz

WORK BEGINS ON $75 MILLION WESTERN SPRINGS COLLEGE – NGA PUNA O WAIOREA RE-BUILD Western Springs College - Nga Puna o Waiorea - today celebrated the start of the school’s $75 million rebuild.

Over the next two years, 80% of the school will be demolished and a state-of-the-art facility built in its place. The new school will be completed at the end of 2018, with students moving in at the beginning of the 2019 year.

importance of the local school as the school of choice for local parents and there is no doubt the redevelopment project will make our school an outstanding asset for the local community.

The Whakapumau Whenua (blessing of the earth) marking the start of the project took place this morning (Friday 16 September), attended by Education Minister Hekia Parata, Mana Whenua-Ngati Whatua o Orakei and 150 invited guests. The powhiri was followed by a karakia and a historical korero by Ivan Davis (Acting School Principal) and Chris Selwyn (Tumuaki).

“The new state-of-the-art facilities will enhance already outstanding learning outcomes in both mainstream and Waiorea,” John says. Metro magazine’s recent “Best schools in Auckland” feature highlighted academic achievement at the school, including its strong, successful kura kaupapa unit. "The mainstream school that recorded the best University Entrance (UE) results for girls in Year 13 was not a Catholic school or any kind of single-sex school, but Western Springs College. The mainstream school that achieved the same feat for boys was also Western Springs. They're doing something right out there by the zoo."

WSC Board Chair John Loof says the first stage of the project - setting up a temporary school to house students during the rebuild - will start during the upcoming school holidays, and construction of the new school will begin in the third quarter of 2017.

He says the size and scope of the project provides an unprecedented opportunity for students, staff and the community.

“This is a new chapter in the history of Western Springs College - Nga Puna o Waiorea; the building of a fantastic learning environment for our children and our teachers. The new buildings, which will be completed and ready for the start of 2019, will provide facilities we have only been able to dream about until now. I’m a big believer in the

24 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

Parents and students will start seeing relocatable classrooms coming onto the site over the next two weeks, John says, but only two buildings - one tech block and the canteen - will need to be demolished in the early stage of the project. The present library will turn into the food tech room and the canteen.

"It’s been a long journey" says John, "but we are really excited about the start of work on site. We are right on schedule." F PN PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

NIKKI KAYE: AUCKLAND CENTRAL MP

Ensuring Auckland Central constituents are served You may know that recently I was diagnosed with breast cancer which has been devastating for me and my family. The opportunity to serve you as the MP for Auckland Central and a cabinet minister is a huge privilege.

I have always worked hard for you and given everything I have to both roles. I have taken a leave of absence from my ministerial portfolios and the Prime Minister has appointed acting ministers to cover these portfolios while I am undergoing treatment.

I want to reassure you that while I am receiving treatment I have put arrangements in place to ensure that my constituents are served during this time. My office continues to be available if you need assistance on personal issues, policy issues or events at 09 378 2088 or please send an email to mp.aucklandcentral@parliament.govt.nz. I have also arranged for my neighbouring National Party colleague the Hon Paul Goldsmith and other Auckland National Members of Parliament to support my office during this time.

Paul will be specifically supporting my electorate staff on some electorate issues for you that may require formal advocacy.

ASB Waterfront Theatre Opening As the local MP for Auckland Central and as a strong advocate for the arts, it gives me great pleasure that the ASB Waterfront Theatre is now open. It has been a project close to my heart and I have fought hard over the years to help get it over the line.

The new theatre is a tremendous asset for the community and a real cultural boost for the waterfront.

The theatre is a state-of-the-art facility that will seat around 660 and bring together some of the finest New Zealand and international talent. It gives residents and visitors to our city a high-profile, world-class destination and offers a year-round programme of theatre and entertainment. The project is an important taonga for Auckland Central. The project has been made possible through the combined support of public, private and philanthropic contributions.

Central Government has supported the project through Creative New Zealand, as did the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board. However, this project would not have been possible

26 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

without the support of ASB Bank and Auckland Council. A special tribute must also go to Lester McGrath, from the Auckland Theatre Company, who has persevered for years to make this happen. I have always considered cultural infrastructure an important part of growing Auckland Central, and the ASB Waterfront Theatre will now act as the heart of an ongoing focus to grow the level of arts and culture within Auckland Central.

City Rail Link Recently the Government and Auckland Council announced a new agreement, under which the Crown will fund 50% of the City Rail Link (CRL). As one of New Zealand’s largestever transport projects, this is an important milestone signalling the Government’s commitment to anticipating and acting on growth in Auckland.

I have supported the CRL since 2009, working alongside constituents, the council, other agencies and the government to bring this project along from conception to fruition. As the local MP for Auckland Central this announcement is also a step towards reducing traffic congestion and decreasing travel times for local residents and visitors.

Construction of the main works is expected to begin in 2017/18 with completion in 2023/24.

I also want to acknowledge all of those people who have returned my electorate survey.

This feedback has been very helpful in progressing some local issues and feeding into the development of policy at a national level.

Over the last few weeks, thousands of people have sent me beautiful messages of support. It has been really overwhelming and very moving and I want to thank all of those people who have contacted me. Please do not hesitate to contact my office in the future if you need any assistance. (NIKKI KAYE) F PN Hon Nikki Kaye is the MP for Auckland Central. www.nikkikaye.co.nz

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

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LOCAL NEWS PONSONBY COMMUNITY CENTRE NEWS Ponsy Kids Preschool • 20 ECE funded hours.

• New session times developed to meet the needs of our community.

The redevelopment of our playground is going well and we are really looking forward to the children being able to use it in a few weeks. The rebuild has been very exciting for the children and it has provided some wonderful learning opportunities. The children have been able to watch the builders at work through our kitchen window. They have had a very close up view of the digger in action and have been fascinated watching the new playground develop.

The children have also had the opportunity to contribute their own ideas as to what they would like to have in the playground. They have drawn pictures and have come up with some very creative ideas. We have captured all their learning in planning stories on our walls. We are looking forward to celebrating the opening of our new playground with our children and families.

During the term, we have been able to assist some school students in our community. Students from St Mary’s College have been helping out as they work towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award. We also have a student from Auckland Secondary Schools’ Centre who comes in one day a week. This programme assists students in giving them a valuable insight into the world of work. The students have been very helpful and the children have loved having them here.

Contact details are: julie@ponsonbycommunity.org.nz; T: 09 376 0896 Ponsonby Community Centre: Sense-ational Yoga: yoga for all of the senses Yoga, an old favourite pastime, is coming to Ponsonby Community Centre in a brand new format. Organised by AUT Students, ‘Sense-ational Yoga’ (yoga which serves all five senses) is the first class of its kind. All proceeds from the event will go to Breast Cancer Cure.

Through the exploration of sight, smell, touch, sound and taste, Sense-ational Yoga aims to provide an all-new yoga experience. Esteemed instructor Suzi Carson of Four Winds Yoga will lead a visual class with vibrant music. The picturesque hall at Ponsonby Community centre will be doused in soft light and gentle scents and all attendees are encouraged to dress in their most extravagant pink clothing. Post event, complimentary refreshments in the form of herbal teas and healthy snacks will be on offer. A masseuse will also be onsite.

Breast Cancer Cure is the only not-for-profit organisation in New Zealand whose sole purpose is to fund breast cancer research. Appropriately set within Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the event promotes holistic wellness by catering to the mind, body and soul.

A prize will be awarded to the best-dressed yogi, so attendees should ensure they wear their best pink activewear.

Tickets cost $25 and spaces are limited, so registering interest is essential. Cost: $25; RSVP: Send your name to bcc.aut@gmail.com; When: 7 October, 6.30; Location: Ponsonby Community Centre.

For more information on Ponsonby Community Centre please T: 09 378 1752; M: 021 244 0904, E: info@ponsonbycommunity.org.nz; W: www.ponsonbycommunity.org.nz; Facebook: Ponsonby Community Centre

28 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS

Continued use of Roundup spray by council The Auckland Council has agreed not to seek a review of the Weed Management Policy, which calls for a phasing out of poisonous herbicides, but they have got nowhere near banning toxic glyphosate, the poisonous ingredient in Roundup, from being used on our berms, parks, and reserves.

Before I proceed with an October article - a disclaimer.

I have been accused by a correspondent following my August article of being biased against Roundup and not presenting a balanced article.

And further, Biology Fortified is basically supplying and supporting genetically modified organisms (GMOs). One of their contributing writers used to work for Du Pont another multi-national corporation pushing GMO foods and chemicals.

Biology Fortified has as its mascot: “Frank N Foode - your friendly neighbourhood GMO.”

I admit that I am totally opposed to the use of Roundup and will not cease my complaining until council sees reason and bans it.

Now that sentence does make me biased, as the Ponsonby News correspondent has claimed.

Even the National Pesticide Information Center in the United States has this to say about glyphosate: “Pure glyphosate is low in toxicity to fish and wildlife but some products containing glyphosate may be toxic because of the other ingredients in them.”

Like the aforementioned POEA for example!

However, the more scientific papers I read, particularly those written in the past year or two, the more convinced I am that Roundup’s ingredient glyphosate, plus other so-called “inert” ingredients in Roundup (including one called polyoxyethyleneamine or POEA) are a huge danger to human health.

An article in the journal Toxicology revealed that inert ingredients such as solvents, preservatives, surfactants, and other added substances are anything but “inactive.”

They contribute to toxicity in a synergistic manner, and were found to be “active principles of human cell toxicity”.

In 2012, a London-based cellular and molecular toxicologist, Robin Mesnage, took two years, but finally unravelled the secrets of Monsanto’s Roundup formulations. He found that the inert ingredients were more toxic than glyphosate alone. In fact, POEA was between 1200 and 2000 times more toxic to cells than glyphosate, officially the “active” ingredient.

And now a second disclaimer. I do not believe that all the so co-called scientific reports that claim Roundup is safe to humans are written by unbiased researchers.

Monsanto and other multi-nationals employ writers and scientists to push their case. If you don’t believe me, read the sad history of tobacco and sugar. Sometimes the same culprits who came out to support those unsupportable products are now employed to actively present evidence to persuade the public these herbicides are safe.

Who pays who? That is the question. In Auckland’s case, who are these faceless people who are influencing not only the Auckland Council but also the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?

I researched one company that supports the use of glyphosate, Biology Fortified Inc, and it says: in answer to the question “Is glyphosate safe?”

“Of course glyphosate is toxic. It is a herbicide after all. The whole point of glyphosate is to kill unwanted plants. Like all chemicals glyphosate is going to be toxic to animals (including humans) at some dose.” Not very reassuring, I thought!

30 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

Apart from the possible immediate danger of Roundup with its glyphosate and inerts like POEA, a huge worry is the report of the Organic Consumers Association which has the eye-catching headline, “Ten Ways Monsanto and Big Ag. Are Trying To Kill You”.

They state quite boldly that, “Roundup is very toxic. It’s known to cause cancer, birth defects and infertility. In fact some scientists are now saying it’s more dangerous than DDT.” But the “huge worry” is that Roundup-tolerant super-weeds are springing up across the country (read United States) and farmers are having to resort to more and more toxic pesticides for weed control. The biotech industry says it has a solution: replace Roundup ready crops with a new type of GMO, “2, 4-D Ready” crops.

Just imagine re-releasing 2, 4-D which releases dioxin, the ingredient in the infamous Agent Orange which killed and maimed so many during the Vietnam War. Scientists and lawyers taking cases against Monsanto, say that Monsanto “intentionally mislabelled dangerous co-formulants.”

In 2009 a French court found Monsanto “guilty of lying”; falsely advertising its Roundup herbicide as “biodegradable” and “environmentally friendly”, and claiming it “left the soil clean.”

The court called this “outright lies to consumers.”

Finally, back to the council’s weed policy. That policy states under Policy Objectives, “minimise agrichemical use” and “ensure public health and safety.”

Yet, the council still lists control by herbicide as the number one of six methods. The evidence is now overwhelming.

Let’s get rid of the proven poisoner, Roundup herbicide, before we damage the health of PN more people. (JOHN ELLIOTT) F

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

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JACINDA ARDERN: LABOUR LIST MP AUCKLAND As I write this month, I can see local body hoardings up and down the streets of Auckland Central for the local body elections.

It may come as a surprise to many people, but I am yet to meet a politician who enjoys the ‘hoarding’ period of an electoral cycle. You never quite get used to having to see your own face plastered around an area, let alone the ‘art work’ that some people chose to apply to said face. I still remember the day I drove past one of my signs during a general election and heard my friend yell from the passenger seat “Oh look, someone drew a love heart on your face.” I won’t go into a vivid description, but needless to say, it was not a heart.

COROMANDEL ARTISTS ARE COMING TO TOWN! Hauraki House Gallery and throughout the township: 7-16 October Every autumn for the last 10 years Coromandel residents and visitors have enjoyed meeting local artists in their studios for the Coromandel Open Studios Arts Tour. From next year the Arts Tour moves to the spring - the first two weekends of October.

But am happy to see these signs up - it’s a reminder that we all have choices to make, and that voting matters.

This time, for a nice change, the artists are coming to you. In the gallery at Hauraki House and in selected places through Coromandel Town you will see new and diverse works from 28 of their local artists.

I know not everyone thinks that. In fact, after the general election the Electoral Commission sits down with a sample of people who didn’t vote to find out why. Some people just say they’re too busy but a good chunk, 27% in fact, say they don’t think it will make a difference. There are few things more gutting to hear from a voter, than the fact that they think their vote is worthless. And clearly that feeling is pretty acute at local elections, where turnout last time was just 41.3%. I desperately hope that changes this election, and here is why.

Meet the artists at the Festive Opening at the gallery - 6pm on Friday 7 October.

Come back to admire and purchase their work through the following week - the gallery will be open each day until Sunday 16 October, from 10am to 4pm.

Ask an Aucklander what their two top local issues are, and one of them is almost certainly going to be housing or transport. Both are costing people a huge amount in terms of disposable income, stress and lost productivity. Fixing both problems is, in my mind, a no -brainer, and at the heart of what the next council will need to work on.

The Unitary Plan was part of addressing some of these issues, but we still have a way to go. We need to make sure that new density rules deliver the outcomes we need, and lead to more affordable housing on the market, and that the average new build isn’t a 200 sq m house when what we really need right now is half that. We also need to prove to Aucklanders that we can do quality intensification, and not lose the character and heritage that deserves to be protected.

And on transport, the city rail link is key, but not the only major public transport we need to focus on - light rail to the airport needs to be locked in for a start.

All of that is in the hands of our next council which ultimately means, it’s in your hands.

I personally know many of the people running for local elections, including those running for City Vision. I have watched them knock on people’s doors, answer questions, and promote ideas for a progressive Auckland. Our local candidates work hard, and all they ask of us is that we open one envelope every three years, and exercise our right and responsibility to have an opinion, and a voice. It takes just a few minutes to tick the candidates who you best feel represent what you would like to have happen in our community - and then pop it into PN the post. I don’t think that is asking too much of us. (JACINDA ARDERN) F

Former Ponsonby resident John Eaglen has joined the ranks of the Coromandel artists.

He has exhibited there several times in the past couple of years, but more than that, he has gathered a group of like-minded artists to form a new not-for-profit “Watch this Space Coromandel” (WTS for short) - working “by artists, for artists”.

Already WTS has: Worked with the local theatre group “Coromandel Players”. In June the Players presented a play with themes around memory, secrets and loss. John and six other artists took the themes of the play and produced an exhibition of new work “Secrets, Gifts and Memories”, with the gallery forming an extension to the theatre foyer.

It has provided local artists with the opportunity to “share studio” with other artists.

This opportunity has been used by the artists to generate and share ideas, to play with ideas and take risks, and to develop fresh, new work.

WTS has also taken over management of the Coromandel Open Studios Arts Tour.

Participating artists are “Coming to Town” from 7-16 October - showing their work in PN the gallery and in selected locations throughout Coromandel Town. F Enquiries: artstour@wtscoromandel.org

JACINDA ARDERN, Labour List MP based in Auckland Central. www.jacinda.co.nz

32 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

DEIRDRE ROELANTS: LANDMARK BUILDINGS

Former Auckland Timber Company building After the reclamation of the foreshore in Freemans Bay, Auckland’s economy expanded, and demand for commercial and industrial land increased, particularly along the waterfront.

The Auckland Harbour Board had commissioned the project and in 1877 it offered many of the allotments for lease as 66-year holdings. Freemans Bay was already the centre for timber production and supported other industrial activities such as boatbuilding, flour milling and brick making. A major occupant of the new land was the Auckland Timber Company, or ATC, which formed an impressive new saw milling and manufacturing complex on 104 Fanshawe Street. It was described by the American consul in an official report as consisting of "splendid buildings surpassing anything of the kind in the Southern Hemisphere."

Timber construction was vital for Auckland’s economy during colonial times when the city relied on the exploitation of local resources, particularly kauri which grew only in northern New Zealand. Used especially for houses and ship building, it was distributed extensively throughout the country as well as to overseas markets in Australia and the United States. At this time, the Auckland waterfront was one of the major centres for kauri processing in the colony. The ATC was the leading member of a select group of highly mechanised enterprises, which replaced smaller scale operations that had characterised earlier years.

The ATC’s founder and managing director was George Holdship, an astute businessman with a strong awareness of the technical advantages in timber processing. He had initially trained as a carpenter before setting up his own timber firm in the 1860s, which had a sash and door making factory in Newton. In 1877 he transformed his private business into the heavily capitalised Auckland Timber Company. When the reclamation was commissioned, Holdship just happened to be on the city council and a member of the Auckland Harbour Board. The ATC building was mostly built by 1881 and a year later its internal fittings were in place. It’s possible the architect, Henry Wade was involved as he was a significant shareholder in the ACT and designed other structures on the waterfront.

The building was of simple Free Classical design with four bays fronting Fanshawe Street and large windows at ground level and rows of arched sashed windows were on all the other floors. It incorporated a bridge across Fanshawe Street to the main sawmill.

The structure was multi-purpose, containing offices, showrooms, a glazing factory and storage. Upon completion it was described as "one of the handsomest blocks of buildings in Freemans Bay". The design and use of the complex reflected Holdship’s promotion of mechanisation and the close integration of activities associated with timber products such as glass making. The inclusion of showrooms was also linked to his advertising

the value of timber products, kauri in particular. In 1873 and 1880 he exhibited at the Melbourne and Vienna exhibitions.

In 1894, the complex was one of the sights shown to King Tawhiao when he visited Auckland as part of the healing process for wrongs committed in the 1860s by colonial authorities in its takeover of Maori land in the Waikato and elsewhere. While passing the showrooms, someone dropped a bouquet of flowers into Tawhiao’s carriage from the newly constructed bridge.

Eventually the golden times came to an end when the kauri trade was affected by a downturn in Auckland’s economy. Holder did a deal with David Blair, a leading timber merchant from Melbourne, which still enjoyed a building boom. A syndicate was formed there which purchased many mills and forests in northern New Zealand. Holder was appointed managing director of the new organisation’s New Zealand operation. Holder was relieved of his duties when the Melbourne market collapsed and in 1890 he left for Britain where he sold his shares in the business.

Now named the Kauri Timber Company, the building is historically significant in that it demonstrates the importance of the kauri timber industry to the New Zealand economy through the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. (DEIRDRE ROELANTS) F PN

NEW ZEALAND BOOK FESTIVAL 5 November, 10am - 4.30pm (free entry) THE BOOK IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE BOOK And just like generations of royals, the book keeps on reinventing itself, staying current and refusing to die. While the Kindle is the book equivalent of Wills and Kate, the hardback is the Queen and the paperback is Andrew or, if it’s a particularly dog-eared copy, one of the corgies.

However, like the royal family, you need new blood or you end up with a tendency to be related by more than marriage. And so it is with publishing, with the new blood here being indie, or boutique house publishing. It’s not better, it’s not worse, it’s just different.

With more and more well-known authors opting to self-publish, the stigma on this is fading and yet the process isn’t so far removed from the traditional model. Self-published books are still edited, professionally typeset and have cover designs that win awards. Yes, there are a few horrors out there, but the majority are every bit as good and sometimes even better, than those you’ll see in bookstores.

Publishing, like all businesses, is in the business of making money and the easiest way to do this is to sell block busters; millions of copies of the one book. The downside for readers if they only buy from a bricks and mortar bookshop, is that they have fewer books to choose from.

So, if you fancy adding a little ‘Harry’ to your home library, check out the New Zealand Book Festival at the Mt Eden Memorial Hall, Dominion Road, Auckland, 5 November (Guy Fawkes), 10am - 4.30pm (free entry to the public). F PN

34 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

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LOCAL NEWS LANDSCAPING BEGINS ON FUKUOKA FRIENDSHIP GARDEN Security fences have gone up at Western Springs Lakeside Park as landscaping work began last month on re-establishing the Fukuoka Friendship Garden.

The garden replaces the original Fukuoka Friendship Garden built in Auckland Zoo in 1989 as an inaugural sister-city gift from Fukuoka City in Japan to the city of Auckland. It was removed in 2014 during redevelopment of the zoo and some hardscape and plant elements were conserved.

A Fukuoka Friendship Garden Advisory Group, comprising members of the governing body, Waitemata Local Board, the Independent Maori Statutory Board and the Friends of Fukuoka Friendship Garden, has championed the reestablishment project. The group has worked closely with

the council’s parks team, Fukuoka City officials and mana whenua to ensure the new garden remains true to the intent of the original garden.

Some structures that were part of the original garden have been conserved and will be incorporated into the new garden. They include: • • • •

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Fukuoka City has offered to send technical experts to assist with construction of the new garden, which is expected to be completed early in 2017. F PN

lanterns and a water basin paving stones bonsai trees, and the entrance structure.

DON’T MISS PONSONBY NEWS DEADLINE

The concept design for the new garden was created

by ZEN Environmental Design, in collaboration with Fukuoka City Greenery Department and Professor Kubota, the designer of the original garden. Auckland Council’s Parks landscape architects have also worked closely with the Japanese designers.

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36 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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DEIRDRE THURSTON: ON MY MIND

Forgiveness Facebook offered up this beauty the other day: “Forgiveness is the scent a flower gives off when crushed.”

This explained forgiveness to me so succinctly. Forgiveness, after all, is at the heart of life and love. And it benefits the forgiver. William Fergus Martin: “The main alternative to forgiveness is insanity.” Certainly, I believe, without forgiveness bitterness creeps its way in.

Forgiving someone - whether it be for a trifle or a trauma - doesn’t change the past. Any hurts we have suffered by the words or actions of others are remembered. They become woven into the fabric of who we are, settle in our cells, as does every life experience, good or bad.

Sometimes we forgive another simply because we want them in our life. Sometimes we forgive and say goodbye. Whatever we decide, forgiveness is a gift to ourselves.

Checking our motives is always important. We must ask ourselves: Why? What is my part in this? Do I have an expectation? Often it is ourselves we need to forgive. Forgiveness is not authentic if it is blame dressed up. If it is used to disassociate from the responsibility of our actions. Turn the situation around to forgiveness of the other so as not to accept how ‘wrong’ our behaviour may have been and therefore need to change. We can take it even further still and use hearing ‘wrong’ to back out of responsibility even more: “There is no right or wrong,” may be thrown into the mix. Or: “You are judging me.”

Often more disassociation and release from responsibility for one’s actions. Saying sorry wears thin. It isn’t enough. Words are our currency, actions are our truth.

There is no point in trying to get others to ‘see’ your viewpoint in these cases and their part in the situation. They don’t want to, because then they would feel pain and have to accept responsibility - and, even worse, change. Forgiveness is the only answer - especially for yourself.

True forgiveness has empathy attached. If there is a lack of genuine empathy, there is no real forgiveness. It becomes lip service. Head stuff. The heart must be involved. Along with expecting zero in return. No deals, no “but I forgave you so you should...” scenario.

There is no righteousness in forgiveness.

Acceptance of who someone truly is and how they operate (and how we choose to interact with them - or not - going forward) is freedom. No point in attempting to change another. If anything, that is arrogance and judgement. Forgiveness does not mean you don’t feel pain. It means accepting it.

David Ridge: “True forgiveness is not an action after the fact, it is an attitude with which you enter each moment.”

PN I agree. (DEIRDRE THURSTON) F

LOCAL NEWS MAGIC IN THE AIR IN PONSONBY Ponsonby News columnist and long-time Grey Lynn resident David Hartnell MNZM has just been named Patron of the Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians.

He’s had a lifelong interest in magic and as a child performed his own magic tricks at school. At the age of 15 David had to choose between the wand and his roller skates. His passion for roller skating eventually won out and David became a New Zealand champion roller skater. He went on to become Australasia's first male makeup artist and ultimately a celebrity journalist and gossip columnist. He was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in 2011 for his services to entertainment.

Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians President Alan Watson QSM said, “We are delighted to have David as our Patron. His longevity in the entertainment world, along with his love for our art form is unsurpassed.”

David said, “These are the people who are keeping magic alive in our community and who are mystifying people. So I’m extremely proud to be the Patron of this group. I love magicians because it's such a unique form of entertainment, nothing is quite like it. You know you will be fooled but you still walk away from it feeling amazed.

“I really like the way American magician and skeptic James Randi sums up magic: 'Some people cannot believe that a magician can fool them in such a way that they can’t figure it out. But magicians can and magicians do. Swindlers do and conmen do all the time, but they're not magicians - they're fakes. They’re lying to us, they're deceiving us. It’s all right to fool people as long as you’re doing it to teach them a lesson, which will better their knowledge of how the real world works'.

photography: Jason Fell

David coined the famous phrases for his Hollywood gossip columns “My lips are sealed” and “I’m not one to gossip”. But as a child, he loved magic and he could have been famous for saying “Abracadabra” if he had followed his passion for tricks and illusions.

Alan Watson, David Hartnell and Mick Peck a house on 141 Great North Road in 1945 (now the site of Midas Car Repairs). These days the members regularly meet at The Surrey Hotel in Grey Lynn. The club provides an opportunity for magicians to socialise, network and share their magic. They also produce the annual Magic Moments Family Comedy Magic Show and charity shows to fundraise for the community.

Throughout his colourful and intriguing career as a gossip columnist, David has met and interviewed some of the world’s most famous magicians. “I interviewed Hollywood legend Cary Grant once, and he also had a love for magic. After our interview, we chatted about our passion.

"Looking back, I kick myself as I should have made our mutual interest part of the interview. It’s one of my greatest regrets.”

"No matter how smart or well educated you are, you can be deceived.”

David also visited the home of Siegfried and Roy in Las Vegas. He describes them as 'show ponies' and says yes, they did have tigers freely roaming around their property.

David is also the Patron of the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand, these two patron roles he takes very seriously.

The Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians, which has a focus on membership from working professional magicians, has a long local history. Their inaugural meeting was at

The previous Patron of the magic club was international star of magic Paul Daniels from the United Kingdom, who died in March this year aged 77 from an incurable brain tumour.

38 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

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JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS

St Columba Church community gets a reprieve The sign outside the St Columba Church on Surrey Crescent said it all: Save St Columba.

The St Columba vestry has been working very closely with the Bishop and Diocesan Council of the Anglican Church to save St Columba, the church itself, its ministry to the Grey Lynn community, and the many activities that take place in and around the church and community hall.

Ponsonby News is very pleased that a plan is in place to secure St Columba’s future.

But as member of the vestry Joel Stutter told us, they are not yet out of the woods. There is a lot of work to do to guarantee the church’s future.

“The Bishop and Diocesan Council are supportive of our church and our plans for growth,” Stutter said. “We have agreed to a number of goals and are working hard to achieve these,” he added.

St Columba is grateful for the support it is receiving from the Grey Lynn, Ponsonby and Pt Chevalier communities.

Their focus in the past few months has been on working closely with Diocesan Council to achieve common goals, the relationship with the Diocesan Council and the planning and promoting of the Clay Works Potters’ Market. The market was a huge success. Not only was income significantly higher than last year, it has helped to create great connections with the community.

Joel Stutter told us the church can now focus on the next steps required to save St Columba. “And we are now able to follow up on the offers of help that we have received,” he said. St Columba will still require considerable input from the local community in order to survive.

Finances are still very tight, Stutter reported, so the church appreciates any support or donations that people or businesses can give. He listed some items they are fundraising for, and urged local support.

These projects include: Restoration of the children’s playground. A working bee is planned to make the playground safe so it can reopen. New signage, probably including an electronic noticeboard. Removing a phoenix palm tree. A new security system. A coffee machine.

This will be invaluable for our programme of fundraising events we have planned over the year.

St Columba is planning to hold “Messy Church” on a regular basis, and anticipates this will begin within two months. It will be widely advertised. Messy Church is a more informal event for children and adults, involving creativity, celebration and hospitality and includes activities such as art, games, songs and sharing a meal.

Ponsonby News urges our readers to support the great work that The Reverend Canon Brent Swann, the vestry and congregation are doing in our community, especially as they fight to prevent closure of their iconic local church, labyrinth, gardens and grounds.

Joel Stutter reminds us that their doors are always open and even those who don’t see themselves as churchgoers can drop in at any time for a chat or a coffee. There is a welcoming morning tea at 11.15am every Sunday after the morning service.

Rumours abounded that St Columba was doomed, but this dedicated bunch of local Christians were determined it must survive - the church ministers to a wide cross-section of our diverse community. In addition to the morning service, it has an afternoon service in Tongan.

At a time when it seems that individualism and consumerism are emphasised, St Columba stands strongly for the whole community, including the less privileged. Kia kaha, St Columba. (JOHN ELLIOTT) F PN www.saintcolumbas.org.nz

LOCAL NEWS TSUNAMI THREAT REMINDS US TO HAVE A PLAN The tsunami threat triggered by last month’s earthquake off the North Island’s east coast is a timely reminder for Aucklanders to make sure they have an emergency plan in place.

“It’s up to each individual to act now and have a plan to look after themselves if a tsunami, or any other emergency, strikes,” says Auckland Council’s Civil Defence and Emergency Management Director, John Dragicevich. “This includes knowing what to do, where to go and where to meet up with family and friends.”

Tsunami threat - zones and alerts

Auckland is under constant threat of a tsunami and there are some simple steps that everyone can follow, he says. They are: • Know your tsunami zone • Know your evacuation point • And know where to meet your family and friends • Sign up to get alerts • Go to aucklandcivildefence.org.nz and put your tsunami plan in place.

Check Auckland Civil Defence’s tsunami evacuation maps for your area to find out if you live or work in an evacuation zone. Also consider the following:

“People need to know how their local area could be affected, where to get accurate and up to date emergency information because normal communications channels might not be working and also include in their planning their neighbours and people who might need help if there is an emergency,” Mr Dragicevich says.

With 3110km of coastline around Auckland, any coastal parts of the region could be affected by a tsunami.

• There are three evacuation zones - red, orange and yellow - which are you?

• Red covers the beach and adjacent low-lying areas most likely to be hit by a tsunami • Orange would be evacuated if there was a medium to large tsunami threat • Yellow covers the largest area that would need to be evacuated in the event of a maximum-impact tsunami • If you are in an evacuation zone, think about how you will get to higher ground by foot, leaving the roads clear for those who are unable to walk and have to drive.

For a more detailed explanation about the tsunami evacuation maps watch Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management’s video, visit: www.aucklandcivildefence.org.nz/community/tsunami-evacuation-maps/video/

42 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

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JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS

City cycling improvements A favourite pastime of Aucklanders is slagging off the council, particularly for lack of meaningful consultation.

Auckland Transport, although supposedly a Council Controlled Organisation, has often seemed like a secret society, with absolutely no council control, and little bottom up consultation. They have tended to tell Aucklanders what they need and what they will give them.

Other considerations include safer routes, slower vehicle speeds, improved pedestrian crossings, new and improved bus facilities, new landscaping, new signage and cycle parking.

I want to report a very different attitude from AT towards cycleway plans for the inner city, including most of the Ponsonby News catchment.

AT Cycling and Walking manager Kathryn King says that after considering the feedback and following further investigation, some routes have been added to the network with one route removed.

Auckland Transport (AT) wants to create a network of cycling routes for the area between Pt Chevalier and the city fringe, to provide safer and more convenient connections into the city centre and neighbouring suburbs.

Changes made include replacing Beaconsfield Street with Grosvenor Street as it is a more direct route with a gentler slope, adding John Street, Wellington Street and Hepburn Street. These changes will allow better access to the city centre.

They have sought feedback at every step of the way. More feedback is invited when AT puts out its proposals very soon. Some work will begin late 2016.

Research shows that many Aucklanders would cycle more if they felt safer. The proposed network of cycling routes for the area between Pt Chevalier and the city fringe will be upgraded to be more appealing to these people, and will mean that over 17,000 households, according to AT figures, are within five minutes ride of a cycle route.

Following the consultation a revised proposal has been prepared. Brochures explaining the proposals will be sent to people living close by, there will be open days and information will be at community centres and libraries.

We can’t ask for more than that. Well done AT.

Increasing the number of people on bikes has other benefits too, such as reducing traffic congestion and air pollution from vehicles. One on-going concern around commercial hubs, for example Jervois Road shops, is that AT will take away car parking spaces from their customers.

The main points of the proposal are: To implement high-quality cycle lanes on busy roads, ideally physically separated from general traffic.

To reduce traffic speeds and volumes on quieter roads to make it safer and more attractive to walk and cycle.

To keep as much on-street parking as possible, but in some locations they may need to remove parking to make streets safer.

AT say it aims to keep as much on-street parking as possible, but in some locations they may remove parking, “to keep streets safer”. Parking removal will depend on the road space available and the type of improvements being provided, AT advises.

However, AT insists that on-street parking in shopping centres is of particular importance to businesses, and AT will focus on solutions that retain parking and enhance the streetscapes in these areas.

Ponsonby News hopes that this consultation by AT will carry over to all their plans, and that they will become a much more open and transparent organisation. (JOHN ELLIOTT)

LOCAL NEWS OUR PLACE - 254 PONSONBY ROAD The way we use public spaces has changed. Urban parks are no longer just for recreation; they can be a catalyst for community development and enhancement, an essential component in transforming and enriching our lives.

A public space and the surrounding area is not just a place to relate to nature, but also a place for social and cultural exchange. They can be alive with:

development of the community’s vision for the space at 254 Ponsonby Road. The next step transforms what the community has shared about its needs and dreams into a unique expression of that place and the time we are living in.

• entrepreneurial activity such as farmers markets • physical activities such as children playing or people doing tai chi

A good urban space will provide a range of things to do, a multitude of activities for all ages and groups to enjoy. What our community has told us so far, above and beyond all other components, is the need for a space to relax in.

• cultural activities, such as art and community drama events, or • simply socialising with friends and neighbours.

For many years, parks have played a pivotal role in shaping the success of cities. The first formal ‘parks’ were created in the 19th Century. They were passive and beautiful, in contrast to the dense and dirty reality of urban life and because of this they became important destinations and places. They met a need. Later parks were planned as part of a broader, inter-connected open space system. This whole contained town squares, greenways and a variety of other types of spaces: just about everything in a city that is not a building or a road. 254 Ponsonby Road will be part of such an open space system.

There are several steps involved in creating areas that can become important community places. One step, that we have already completed, involves understanding the community’s aspirations about the particular place. This has informed our ongoing

44 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

Additionally, the space must be easy to get to and be connected to the surrounding community - it must have accessibility. It needs to be safe, clean and attractive. Have places to sit - for comfort and relaxation. Most important of all is sociability. The place must make it easy to meet other people and be an integral part of community life.

Today, we are developing our understanding about how public spaces can significantly contribute to the quality of urban life. By integrating them into the current expression of our neighbourhoods, and by giving responsibility for the design to the communities, we are seeing a renewal of our urban parks. The community-led design initiative for 254 Ponsonby Road is this kind of project. We are transforming this space into a new community hub.

To find our more, contact us at; www.254ponsonbyrd.org.nz or check out the Facebook pages “254Ponsonbyrd” or “Ponsonby Park”. F PN PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS

One person’s voting suggestions for the Local Election I have attended two meetings where candidates for the Waitemata Local Board have spoken about their policies. The second one included Bill Ralston and Mike Lee, candidates for the one Waitemata Ward council seat. Lee is the incumbent.

It’s hard to get past generalities at these meetings, and with 21 candidates for seven seats on the board, there is precious little time for any candidate to go into depth about their policies and how they would implement them.

The council has produced a booklet with the voting papers that gives some information about candidates, but I need more than, “I am passionate about Auckland.”

One of the recurring themes, particularly among the Auckland Future (read National Party-aligned), candidates is a promise to cut costs, hold rates and review or cut council staff numbers.

It was an entertaining evening, chaired by the Grey Lynn Business Association.

As already indicated above, 30-second answers give little opportunity for candidates to say very much about their policies.

So who shone on the night?

But the question that must be asked of those candidates is: “what would you cut?” Their answer most often: “waste.”

The councillor candidates Mike Lee and Bill Ralston agreed with each other almost as much as they disagreed. Ralston is rather blunter and brasher than Lee, who is a gentler man, who comes across as caring and thoughtful. Both were critical of the way council has been run in the last six years. Lee promised to continue his criticisms and will not agree to sell assets. He told the meeting he has unfinished business on the council. There was no time to canvas Lee’s long and valuable contribution to Auckland local politics. Bill Ralston has become concerned at perceived shortcomings at council, leading to his challenge to Mike Lee and, among other policies, Ralston would consider selling the Port business.

What they also call for is to “stick to core services.” Voters should ask these candidates if they would cut music in parks, computers in libraries, charge for museum entry, increase zoo entry charges, add user-pays more often (isn’t that just adding to rates by another name?)

The Auckland Future’s mantra - cut costs, hold rates, sell assets was clearly on display at the RSL meeting. One Auckland Future candidate also offered that he would be happy to use Roundup’s poisonous and carcinogenic spray. He’d sprayed it himself all over the Coromandel. He received a huge boo from an old fellow in the back row!

All of the above help to make Auckland a more liveable city and I believe should not be cut.

City Vision’s current chair, Shale Chambers, who has said in the past that he is not a natural politician, shone brightly. He is articulate and on top of the issues. So too, is Pippa Coom. Vernon Tava is impressive, and has much more still to offer.

Those suggestions always please voters, who are tired of increasing rate demands every year.

As Auckland copes with the projected huge increase in population, there will inevitability be increased infrastructure costs which we will all have to share.

I will be voting for those candidates who vow to spend rate money very wisely, but I just won’t believe those who cry “no rate increase at all, or even, just 2%."

The candidate meeting held at the Grey Lynn RSL was attended by about 45 locals. Mark Thomas, mayoral candidate turned up and sat quietly in the corner listening.

Candidates present included all seven City Vision candidates incumbents, Shale Chambers, Pippa Coom, and Vernon Tava, (all lawyers), as well as new candidates Adriana Christie, Chang Hung and Kurt Taogaga. The seventh candidate is new to Waitemata, but an old stager in politics, Richard Northey.

Auckland Future, the right wing team are all new to local politics except incumbent Greg Moyle, who did not attend the RSL meeting. The other six were Judith Bassett, Stella Chan, Mark Davey, Jonathan Good, Alasdair Long and Chris Severne.

Independents present were Kurt Brunton, Jackie Hui, Allan Matson and Margaret Voyce.

Rob Thomas, a candidate for both the council and the board was away in China.

Of the independents, Allan Matson excelled. He has huge heritage experience, and would be a valuable board member, given the importance of bedding in the Unitary Plan and protecting our villa stock.

Auckland Future’s Jonathan Good, a former Rhodes Scholar, is articulate, and is interested in innovation and sustainability.

The three young city vision candidates, Taogaga, Hung and Christie were quite impressive, especially given their inexperience. They are well worth a look, and would bring new blood to the board.

Whether gentrification in recent years will give Auckland Future candidates a better chance this election remains to be seen.

The most important message Ponsonby News can give readers is to urge everyone to seek out these candidates and ask them to comment on issues that worry them.

PN Then we would urge everyone to vote. (JOHN ELLIOTT) F

MAGGIE MARILYN LAUNCHES AT THE SHELTER Recent graduate, young designer Maggie Hewitt launched her debut 'Maggie Marilyn’ collection at The Shelter on 21 September.

The Bay of Islands-born designer's same debut collection is stocked on Net-a-Porter - one of the world’s largest luxury online retailers - with USD$900 dresses already sold out.

The shooting fashion star’s collection offers a very nicely balanced juxtaposition of romantic ruffles with fraying/deconstructed edges, tailored elements, and billowing sleeves - tied up in a restrained palette of white, nude, camel, cream, blush and denim.

MAGGIE MAY @ THE SHELTER, 78 Mackelvie Street, Ponsonby, T: 09 376 6544, www.theshelter.co.nz

46 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

Maggie Hewitt and Jo Knight of Maggie Marilyn with Mark Thomson and Vicki Taylor owners of The Shelter PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

THREE LAMPS GOT AN EMBARRASSING TATTOO? Do you have a tattoo that is perhaps something from your past you would rather forget? Getting rid of your old tattoo is actually easier than you might have thought.

Lisa founded Tattoo Removals on Ponsonby Road so she could create a super-friendly, private and confidential environment with the absolute latest in laser technology.

Lisa has a selection of Nd YAG Q Switched Lasers which emit a laser pulse at the speed of ‘nano’ seconds. That is super-fast in layman’s terms. The laser beam passes harmlessly through the skin and is designed to shatter the ink particles, which are then flushed away by the body.

Because it’s so quick, there is no damage to the skin and most importantly no scar tissue! Small tattoos are lasered literally within seconds and pricing starts from as little as $75 per treatment. Black ink is by far the easiest colour to remove and usually the older the tattoo the better and quicker the fade.

Worried about the pain? Don’t be. Tattoo Removals also has a pain management machine makes it almost pain free and as comfortable as possible.

Lisa has Laser Tattoo Removal qualifications and is licensed by Auckland Council so rest assured you are in the safest (and friendliest) of hands.

For a free no obligation quote, simply send a picture of your tattoo to lisa@tattooremovals.co.nz or giver her a call to discuss the options. F PN TATTOO REMOVALS, 283 Ponsonby Road, Three Lamps Plaza, T: 09 215 6754, www.tattooremovals.co.nz Lisa Houlihan of Tattoo Removals

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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THREE LAMPS PREMIUM ARTISAN GELATO WITHOUT COMPROMISE It is nine years since Casa Del Gelato first opened its doors in Three Lamps Ponsonby, fuelled by a passion to make authentic artisan gelato without compromise.

One might ask: where has the time gone? Well it has gone serving up something really rather special! The team at Casa Del Gelato is very proud of its product. Based on the Sicilian style of gelato, they only use fresh milk and cream, and natural flavours. They take pride in sourcing the finest ingredients such as pistachio, almond and hazelnut paste directly from Bronte in Sicily and blood orange, lemon and mandarin from Palermo.

The best of New Zealand seasonal fruits are also used.

They offer a range of delicious flavours to tempt you. If concerned with your waist line, you can take comfort that their gelato is low in fat (between 4 and 6% fat content) and doesn’t contain any of the following - eggs, egg protein, gelatine, added vegetable or animal fats, preservatives or artificial flavours. The majority of flavours are also gluten free.

In addition to gelato, they serve up a pretty mean sorbet which is dairy-free and fat-free and almost all flavours are gluten free. And, if the sorbet is not your cup of tea, then perhaps a Belgian-style waffle, a monster shake or a scrumptious brownie might take your fancy. To accompany your gelato, they also serve a range of coffee and tea.

From its humble beginnings in Ponsonby, Casa Del Gelato has grown into seven licensed stores throughout Auckland, with two not so far away in Parnell and Mt Eden.

'What we love most about having a store in Ponsonby is the people," says Maria Pilot founder of Casa Del Gelato. "Our customers are just the nicest people around and to see the young ones growing up over the time we have been here is simply wonderful."

Karo Rien and Anni Finzelberg love managing Casa Del Gelato

CASA DEL GELATO, 288 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 8457, www.casadelgelato.co.nz

48 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

THREE LAMPS GET YOUR PRINTING SORTED @ ONE STEP AHEAD ONE STEP AHEAD WAS ESTABLISHED BACK IN 1993 AND ITS TEAM OFFERS SHOE repairs, key cutting, knife sharpening and now a new print service. This service is a great gift idea.

Tell us about your new printers? As there was nobody in Ponsonby Road offering a photo printing service, we have recently purchased two of Epson's latest machines.

We have the new SureColor 24-inch wide format, nine-colour Epson Ultra Chrome HD ink printer. This is the machine used for larger prints and canvas. We also use the ColorGate RIP software on this machine for colour accuracy and have profiles for the papers and canvas we use. We also have Epson's new Mini Lab printer. This is a six-colour printer and is perfect for the standard 6x4, 5x7, 6x8, 8x10 and 8x12 images. We can also print panoramic pictures from this machine, which come out beautifully.

We are offering photo and canvas printing starting from the standard 6x4 prints all the way up to 24 inch x 40+ inch. We have a variety of papers to suit the image. We can also supply a variety of sizes in photoblocks which we have on display in store. We can also mount and mat photos ready for framing.

We are printing on gloss, lustre, matte and metallic papers, and also canvas. Costs start from 60c for a 6x4 image. Orders can be emailed to us or drop in with a memory stick with PN your images, or we can import directly from phones. F Well known for their shoe repairs, the team can now help with any printing needs

ONE STEP AHEAD, 287 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 3289, www.onestepahead.co.nz

BECOME A FRIEND OF KELMARNA GARDENS FOR AS LITTLE AS $5 A MONTH Your regular donation will help connect more school children with nature, empower people all over Auckland with sustainable living choices and develop and maintain a therapeutic garden.

Join now at www.kelmarnagardens.nz/donate

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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THREE LAMPS STEP INN SHOES - AS INDIVIDUAL AS YOU Step Inn Shoes opened in Three Lamps, Ponsonby 17 years ago in response to Aucklanders visiting the Tauranga store and asking "where is your Auckland store?". The rest is history.

After over 30 years in business Fay is even more enthusiastic as new highly rated and interesting labels have become available in New Zealand. She loves shoes as the styles are always changing and this is reflected in the store.

The key to a great shoe is the 'last'. This is the wooden foot shape the leather is pulled over when the shoe is made. Fay believes, properly made shoes from factories with integrity will keep you on your feet and are good for your soul.

Step Inn Shoes is proud of the range of shoes it offers - from basics to glamour, with a number of these brands only being available in New Zealand at Step Inn Shoes. The world-famous Mephisto brand from France is an example of this. These shoes are known for their fabulous comfort and soft-air technology. Another brand is Wolky - designed for walking and are fun, young and colourful. Hogl the Austrian fashion house has been chosen for their quality and style. United Nude - architecturally designed - amazing, eye-catching and definitely different. BeautiFeel cushioned - sophisticated and elegant.

There is also the best from Germany available: Gabor, ara, Peter Kaiser and Rieker/ Remonte. These, along with Italian, Spanish and Portuguese labels make Step Inn Shoes the one to visit.

Visit our website www.stepinnshoes.nz for a peek at some of the range and more information. F PN STEP INN SHOES, Three Lamps Plaza, 283 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 5512, www.stepinnshoes.nz

50 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

GUSTO ITALIANO - A POPULAR PLACE IN THREE LAMPS We asked Armando Koci to tell us a little about Gusto Italiano.

How long has Gusto Italiano been in Three Lamps?

We will have been here for nine years this December.

Where are you from in Italy?

I grew up in the Apricena province of Foggia south Italy.

Who taught you to cook and appreciate food?

I started working in an Italian restaurant when I was 13 years old. The owner and chef Maria taught me to cook.

What are some of your favourite dishes?

There are many but I love our pansotti, gnoochi, tortellini tartufo and veal scaloppini.

Armando Koci and his chef Alessio.

Tell us about the You will meet both at Gusto Italiano Ponsonby. opera evening?

On the first Wednesday of the month we have soprano Soojin Bark-Morris singing for us - reservations are recommended. F PN GUSTO ITALIANO, 263 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 361 1556, www.gustoitaliano.co.nz

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

THREE LAMPS ALL SAINTS ANGLICAN CHURCH -150 YEARS AT THE HEART OF PONSONBY Over 150 years there have been numerous weddings in both the old All Saints wooden building and the current church.

Love has also been remembered and loved ones farwelled in funeral services. In baptism children and adults have been welcomed into the family of love of the universal church.

And now faith, hope and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13) The most familiar symbol of love, the red heart, has been placed on the church lawn.

It is a photo frame encouraging people to celebrate love, for each other, for all the good things in Ponsonby and for the witness of the Creator’s love that has been shared inside and outside All Saints Church over 150 years. In a world where there is so much disharmony and violence, we look to people and places that remind us that love conquers hate, and light is stronger than dark. So come and take your photo in the heart (and, if you want, share it on social media).

We at All Saints invite anyone and everyone to a community barbecue on the church lawn on Saturday 29 October from 5pm. There will be some sausages and salads provided but you are welcome to bring your own barbecue food to be cooked. Sunday 30 October there will be a celebratory service in the church at 10am followed by a shared lunch.

PN All welcome. F www.allsaintsponsonby.org.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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eat/shop/meet at THE NE PLATINUM SPORTS CO.

ADORE COLLECTION Feel good fashion

Platinum Sports sees the very best of all your favourite Ä[ULZZ IYHUKZ PU VUL Z[\UUPUN UL^ ZWHJL Showcasing a carefully curated collection of lifestyle and performance pieces, we deliver H VUL VM H RPUK ZOVWWPUN L_WLYPLUJL platinumsports.co.nz

BODYLAB Our services are somewhere

Shop Samoa is the Premier 7HJPÄJ Z[VYL ZLSSPUN 7HJPÄJ 7YVK\J[Z YHUNPUN MYVT 7HJPÄJ -HZOPVU >LHY [V 6YNHUPJ *VJVU\[ 6PS Handicrafts, Books & more. Shop Samoa is the VɉJPHS KPZ[YPI\[VY VM ,]LUP7HJPÄJ PU 5L^ ALHSHUK www.shopsamoa.com ^^^ L]LUPWHJPÄJ Ua

jewellery from $5 to $500. Treat yourself to simple elegance or a statement piece. New pieces added almost everyday. Open 7 days from 10am. One of the biggest fashion jewellery YHUNLZ PU (\JRSHUK H[ HɈVYKHISL WYPJLZ adorecollection.com

SHOP SAMOA

IL[^LLU H TLKPJHS JSPUPJ HUK H Ä[ULZZ JLU[YL In some countries we would be referred to as H TLKPJHS Ä[ULZZ MHJPSP[` 6\Y JVYL [LHT HYL THZ[LYZ X\HSPÄLK ,_LYJPZL 7O`ZPVSVNPZ[Z HUK we’ve been operating since 1987. bodylab.co.nz

THE LITTLE GALLERY The Little Gallery takes CHASE POINT *OHZL 7VPU[ PZ HU L_JS\ZP]L

home decor outlet store where everything is

VɈ UVYTHS YL[HPS victoriaparkmarket.co.nz

pride in supporting the local art community, and providing an avenue through which the artists can share their works. In this vibrant space, art lovers have the opportunity to browse and purchase their favourite pieces. thelittlegallery.co.nz

COEXIST WORKSHOP & GALLERY *VL_PZ[

Workshop & Gallery is both the creative space and a gallery focusing on eco conscious KLZPNULY WPLJLZ *VL_PZ[ ILSPL]LZ PU WYVTV[PUN the use of locally sourced, reclaimed or recycled TH[LYPHSZ 4LU[PVU [OPZ HK HUK YLJLP]L VɈ coexist.co.nz

VANESSA KELLY CLOTHING

From First Class manicures to perfect pedicures and UHPS HY[ ¶ [OPZ PZ [OL +LS\_L 5HPS HUK )LH\[` Visit our fabulous salon in Victoria Park and WPJR MYVT V\Y YHUNL VM V]LY S\_\Y` HUK L_WYLZZ [YLH[TLU[Z deluxenailandbeauty.co.nz

DELUXE NAILS AND BEAUTY

Vanessa Kelly is an award winning Auckland based dress maker who has been sewing and creating quality, one of a kind dresses for over 10 years. Her style is vintage inspired, colourful HUK THKL [V ÅH[[LY L]LY` ZOHWL vanessakellyclothing.com

ELLA VI JEWELLERY

WAKE UP WITH MAKE UP The mission of

Handmade silver, brass or copper jewellery. Hand crafted from YLJ`JSLK TL[HSZ H[ *VL_PZ[ >VYRZOVW HUK Gallery. Open daily from 10am – 5pm. Come in and choose a unique pieces or work with Ella to design something especially for you. ellavi.net

KIWI COLLECTION Distinctly New Zealand

homewares, souvenirs and gifts. Big enough [V ZOV^ `V\ JHYL ZTHSS LUV\NO [V Ä[ PU `V\Y luggage. A wide ever changing selection for you, your home and your friends and family Open 7 days from 10am www.adorecollection.co.nz/collections/ kiwiana

NEW

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New Zealand Green stone carvings, )VUL JHY]PUNZ -PUL 1L^LSLY` HUK New Zealand Souvenirs. victoriaparkmarket.co.nz

STORES

IF YOU

Wake Up With Make Up is to provide clients ^P[O [OL TVZ[ HLZ[OL[PJHSS` ÅH^SLZZ JVZTL[PJ procedures within the utmost positive, creative and professional environment, with particular emphasis on our high level of service. wakeupwithmakeup.co.nz

ZHIK Zhik is a brand that develops

performance wear for water-sports: dinghy, ZHPSPUN WHKKSL HUK RP[L Z\YÄUN >L MVJ\Z VU technical and design innovation through a JVU[PU\V\Z 9 + LɈVY[ ^P[O 6S`TWPJ H[OSL[LZ zhik.com

DESIGN IT, MAKE IT

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W VICTORIA PARK MARKET. OUTLET COLLECTION Big range of cotton

T shirts reduced to $5. Womens black pleated trousers were up to $99 now from $15. Dozens of specials in store for our stock clearance - store closing to make way for new retailers moving in.

Open 7 days from 10am.

HANSIK Hansik (Korean Cuisine) is

a healthy and well balanced meal composed of fresh and natural ingredients. Vegetables are lightly blanched to retain their natural nutrients, and boiled or steamed meats are low in fat and calories.

hansik.co.nz

SALASH DELICATESSEN We proudly keep to

our original family recipes - insisting on using only the best cuts of naturally raised meat and other selected all-natural, organic raw ingredients - to slowly develop the wonderful [L_[\YLZ HUK \UYP]HSSLK KLW[O VM ÅH]V\YZ HJYVZZ our range of products. salash.co.nz

STANDING ROOM ESPRESSO

:[HUKPUN 9VVT Espresso is a brand new espresso bar in Victoria Park Market that serves both organic JVɈLL HUK OVTLTHKL IHRPUN 1VPU \Z PU [OL sunny courtyard and you too will become a YLN\SHY :[HUKPUN 9VVT ,ZWYLZZV J\Z[VTLY standingroomespresso.co.nz

iVILLAGE

Here at iVillage, we bring you food that is quintessentially Indian and original, made with our special home made spices and masalas. Our restaurant is able to accommodate up to 150 guests for a private event.

THE OAKROOM

The Oakroom, hospitality at it’s best where service is paramount. theoakroom.co.nz

ivillageatvictoria.co.nz

LA ZEPPA

La Zeppa focuses on the fact that people want to enjoy each others company with a great glass of wine and tasty plates. It’s the ultimate meeting place where you decide how you want your night to go, from a catch up over a glass of wine, to a sit down for a tasting frenzy lazeppa.co.nz

Tom Tom Bar & Eatery has it all - distinct seating areas for various menu VɈLYPUNZ H ]PIYHU[ I\[ YLSH_LK ]PIL HUK HU outdoor balcony to rival most others. Elevated HIV]L =PJ[VYPH 7HYR HɈVYKPUN UVY[OLYU ]PL^Z [OYV\NO SLHM` [YLL[VWZ ;VT ;VT L_\KLZ H ZSPJR downtown vibe. tom-tom.co.nz

LEGIANZ

VIET FLAMES We at Viet Flames provide you

Originating from an area in Bali known as Legian, this region is well known as one of the most popular tourist areas.

3LNPHUa VɈLYZ [OL \S[PTH[L L_WLYPLUJL in the Indonesian dish known to use a TP_ VM ¸9LTWHO¹ VY ZWPJL [V JYLH[L HU unforgettable taste. Come see us today!

TOM TOM

waroenglegianz.co.nz

with all the pleasures of the Vietnamese table, a captivating taste of an irresistible cuisine.

Our menu is based upon locally sourced and seasonably available products and the best organic food grown closest to you. Come taste for yourself. ]PL[ÅHTLZ JV Ua

MATSU SUSHI MATSU is the place to be.

WHITE RABBIT ON THE PARK Come for

Our atmosphere is perfect for pleasure or business at a great price. You can enjoy the best sushi with the highest quality of service, presentation, and freshness. We are dedicated to providing you with an L_JLW[PVUHS KPUPUN L_WLYPLUJL PH 09 377 6848

a drink and stay for the food. Easily found on the fringes of Auckland’s bustling city SPML ;OL >OP[L 9HIIP[ VU [OL 7HYR PZ X\PJRS` becoming a local favourite and prides itself on serving quality meals and drinks coupled with L_JLW[PVUHS ZLY]PJL thewhiterabbitonthepark.co.nz

With an exceptional selection of some of the best food and shopping Auckland has to offer, Victoria Park Market is one of the cities most iconic sites that has gone through a major refurbishment, making it the perfect place to get together with friends and family.

There’s also the new Artisan Studios, where artists design, make and sell right here in this creative hub.

So come and experience the new Victoria Park. The new place to eat, shop and meet.

victoriaparkmarket.co.nz

LIZ WHEADON: WINE, GLORIOUS WINE

Our Italian range of wines is now colossal!

Earlier in the year, I put in the hard yards and waded my way through many a wine at Vinitaly, a wine show that started 50 years ago bringing together thousands of Italian wines and tens of thousands of people in Verona.

We’ve had a long history at Glengarry of importing Italian wine; some of our first imports, when the laws in New Zealand changed in the 80s to allow imported wines, were Italian. These partnerships have endured the test of time; it was the opportunity to establish new relationships that drew me to Vinitaly. The difficulty was deciding which of my new friends to import first; top of the list, however, were the wines from Terrazze dell’Etna and A.Mano.

There’s so much to talk about. Firstly, location. Terrazze dell’Etna is a vineyard located on the side of Sicily’s Mt Etna. This aspect gives the wines a mineral, volcanic aspect to them. The native red grape variety is Nerello Mascales; the colour is generally light, acidity vibrant and marked, tannins structured and well formed. Often referred to as Italy’s Burgundy, these wines are not dissimilar to pinot noir nor to Piedmont’s Nebbiolo variety, the one behind Barolo and Barbaresco.

Whilst the rejuvenation of vineyards and international interest here is recent, the terraces that the Terrazze dell’ Etna vines sit on were established in the 1800s. The current owner bought the vineyards in 2006, 30 parcels in total. An engineer by trade, not a winemaker, he engaged with a very good winemaker and has quickly moved Terrazze dell’Etna to be one of the most highly regarded, respected and sought after producers from Etna.

Mark is a Californian winemaker who escaped to Italy, went to Puglia for a weekend and had an interest in Primitivo which quickly turned into a love. Mark started consulting to Italian wineries; a chance meeting at Vinitaly, with a fellow winemaker and now partner in A.Mano, resulted in the first wines being made in 1998.

Walking away from this tasting, my husband, who kindly attended the tastings with me and drove me between regions (a very important role), declared these to be great wines and excellent value at $25-plus. Having of course researched it well before we tasted, I knew of the value; to say he was surprised - an understatement. These are superb value, fruit forward, friendly wines made with passion and flair.

Also in store now, a pink sparkling wine from Santa Margherita, that is not prosecco. It is though made from the same variety (with a little red added) and in the same way, so for all intents and purpose it is prosecco, though can’t be labelled that way. Why, I hear you ask? Well the DOC for prosecco does not allow for production of pink prosecco, yet.

There’s a ground swell to change the law but, for now, it’s prosecco in style.

PN www.glengarry.co.nz (LIZ WHEADON) F

Needless to say we are delighted to now have them in New Zealand. In buying the vineyard, they set out to recover the vineyards and the styles produced there previously.

Nerello was, and remains today, the most important red variety. Everything is done by hand; there’s no irrigation, other than what drains through the mountain itself. The vines have very deep roots, partly due to how they are trained; as the soil is hard (it’s a volcano) the roots don’t naturally go straight down, so the viticulturist will cut them to stop them growing sideways and force them down.

I’d like to say it’s a rare thing in the wine world, but with an industry full of such amazing people, a list of the innovative, inspiring souls out there would be lengthy. That said, meeting Mark from A.Mano was a breath of fresh air during a day of lots of tasting.

54 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY ACTIVE IN HELL One of the biggest challenges those with an intellectual disability face is other people’s perception of what they can and can’t do.

HELL Pizza has been challenging these perceptions since 2013 when they formed a partnership with IDEA Services (a subsidiary of IHC) to set up a training and work experience programme for youth with an intellectual disability.

This programme called ‘Active in HELL’ is a six week programme, comprising of two paid, two hour sessions in a HELL store each week. The training enables these youths to learn and master the key skills required to work in a busy pizza store and provide valuable experience for future employment.

Since it started, 32 young people have completed the training course in stores from Auckland to Dunedin and HELL Pizza is now committed to putting 64 trainees through the programme each year.

The latest member of this programme is Emma Gollagher, who has become the third youth to work alongside the team at HELL Grey Lynn.

“Working with Emma has been a really rewarding experience for us all,” says HELL Grey Lynn franchisee Marty Richards. “She has been a pleasure to have on board and has picked up tasks really quickly. To top it off, she is such a character. She loves to entertain while getting the job done.”

Emma thinks working in HELL can be tough but rewarding. “I do lots of hard work but always get pizza for lunch, so it’s pretty cool!”

Emma has been accompanied through her training by Idea Services Support Employment Co-ordinator Karishma Beach. “Initially things can be quite hands-on for me in the first stages of training but Emma has shown a lot of confidence and independence, so my involvement has been kept to a minimum.”

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

Emma Gollagher with Marty Richards at HELL Grey Lynn Once Emma’s training is complete, she will receive a certificate signed by the HELL Pizza General Manager. IDEA Services staff will also discuss with her what she has learned and about the opportunities for her career to progress.

Last year an Active in HELL participant from Auckland gained permanent employment in the food services industry, while a number of others have opted to continue training beyond the Active in HELL programme. F PN www.ihc.org.nz/idea-services www.hellpizza.com/nz/

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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY CHANGES @ BOY & BIRD The team at Boy & Bird are in process of changing their menu soon, but as promised they will only be making a few changes and adding a few new things to the menu.

As Aari Puri told Ponsonby News, “We have our app underway which will be ready to download soon, once it’s all up and running it will be very easy to place a pick up order or delivery order (delivery via Urban Sherpa), which makes it easy for catering orders as well.

“What we trying to achieve here at Boy & Bird is that no matter if it’s dine in or take away it has to be a very smooth experience.

photography: Martin Leach

“Our other really good news for Ponsonby is that we are going to launch our late night diner at the end of this month, which means everyone will be able to have good meal on Fridays till late - 2am. It will be all about good food, mellow beats and good drinks. We think that there is a big need for that, and the whole idea of this is to create atmosphere where people can relax and have a good time.” F PN BOY & BIRD, 222 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 361 3222, www.boyandbird.co.nz

FOOD TRUCK GARAGE ROLLS IN TO PONSONBY

FRESH PARTNERSHIP ARISES BETWEEN LEWIS ROAD CREAMERY AND DR. FEELGOOD

A new pit stop for fast foodies, Food Truck Garage, Auckland’s favourite fresh fast food joint, has opened its new takeaway store at 234 Ponsonby Road.

Auckland artisan ice pop company, Dr. Feelgood, has forged a partnership with Lewis Road Creamery and collaborated on a new luxury range of Dr. Feelgood frozen pops using the creamery’s organic milk, due for release this summer.

Bringing ‘Fast Food Made Good’ to Ponsonby, the new location makes three brick and mortar Food Truck Garages in central Auckland, including the recently opened lunch bar in Wynyard Quarter and the original dine-in eatery at City Works Depot on Wellesley Street.

As well as expanding to the two new takeaway locations, the menu has also had a tune-up in the talented hands of Anthony McNamara, former head chef at Waiheke’s renowned Oyster Inn. Food Truck Garage’s ‘Fast Food Made Good’ has become fast food made better under McNamara’s hat, with new nutrient-dense meals and dessert alternatives on offer. Owner Nick Ward says, “Anthony has had a tinker with our menu, but our recipe is exactly the same: use free-range, locally sourced ingredients to create food that tastes good and does you good.”

New items include evolved favourites, such as the Superbowl - a turbo-boosted version of Food Truck’s cult classic Redergize salad - and new offerings, like a raw cheesecake packed with superfood Acai berries and cashew nuts.

The core classics are still on offer, with the Beefroot Burger, Burrito Bowl, Burnt Broccoli and yummy Jelly-Tip Fro-Yo all featured, as well as other previous menu staples making rotating monthly debuts, bringing back some of the most loved dishes from the past four years.

Food Truck Garage caters for a range of diets including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan, with all takeaways in 100% compostable packaging. Food Truck Garage’s Ponsonby store is open for lunch and dinner takeaway, 12noon - 9pm, seven days a week.

The Wynyard Quarter store is open for lunch takeaway only, 11am - 3pm, Monday to Friday.

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The collaboration is built “...on a mutual belief of using only the very best ingredients” says Dr. Feelgood owner Craig ‘Jacks’ Jackson, hence its decision to use Lewis Road Creamery’s pure organic whole milk in the new range.

The range, which will be available throughout New Zealand, includes luxury dairy flavours such as Banoffee Pie, White Chocolate and Passionfruit Jelly Top, Chocolate and Raspberry Jelly Top and the original Chocoholic.

Peter Cullinane, founder of Lewis Road Creamery says, “We are excited to be partnering with Dr. Feelgood. They share our ambition to create great tasting food using the best ingredients that live up to their name - they genuinely make you feel good.”

A key focus for Dr. Feelgood is to provide all natural frozen pops that feature only natural ingredients, no refined sugar, and as they state on their packaging ‘none of the weird stuff’.

Dr. Feelgood will also showcase another two flavours in the new range, Old Fashioned Pink Lemonade and Cosmic Cola, which are dairy-free ‘icy pops’ and suitable for vegans. The launch of the new range follows on the early success of Dr. Feelgood’s original line of flavours, of which the Raspberry, Lime and Coconut flavour won the 2015 NZ Food Awards Category Winner - Indulgent. www.drfeelgood.co.nz F PN PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY @ SABATO With longer days and warmer weather, thoughts turn to spring lamb, new season potatoes and asparagus.

FACES @ GREY LYNN FARMERS MARKET Carl Ebbers from Natures Corner sells his tasty, free-range eggs at the Grey Lynn Farmers Market every Sunday.

Tell us about your products?

We are free range chicken farmers and our happy hens produce tasty, free-range eggs. Our favourite eggs to eat are the little soldiers from the young hens starting out, because they poach so well, and the super jumbos produced by the older hens, because the older gals range further and produce rich golden yolks.

This delicious slow-roasted leg of lamb with Romulo capers, La Chinata smoked paprika and ñoras peppers is tender and smoky - a tasty twist on a classic spring dish!

1 trimmed leg of New Zealand lamb (approx 1.5kg) Whole head of garlic, peeled

How long have you been producing eggs?

Laura and I started farming together in late 2012, but my family has been farming chickens for something like four generations starting with my great opa in the Netherlands (where modern chicken farming and breeding originated).

1 180g jar Romulo capers in brine

Where did you grow up?

My childhood was spent on dairy farms throughout the Waikato where mum and dad were share farming and later on a poultry farm near Tauranga.

Extra virgin olive oil (EVO)

What’s the biggest business decision you have had to make?

Our business was created following a failed corporate business acquisition/merger outside of our control, and our major business decision was whether to take the hard road and go it alone, knowing we were starting from such a small scale or 'get a real job'.

What’s your favourite way to relax after work?

Laura and I enjoy spending time in Auckland's amazing local parks and reserves.

Where is your favourite New Zealand holiday spot?

Great Barrier Island. It's a special place and many of the locals are real characters.

What’s your favourite thing about coming to the Grey Lynn Farmers Market?

The community feeling of the market is great, and many of the other stallholders and team have become like a second family. F PN www.glfm.co.nz www.naturescorner.co.nz

1-2 La Chinata ñoras peppers, soaked in warm water (optional) 250ml cup Rocca Giovanni Nebbiolo or other red wine 1 tbsp La Chinata smoked paprika Salt and freshly ground black pepper Bunch of silverbeet/kale or other greens, washed and chopped Preheat oven to 180ºC. Pierce the lamb leg with a sharp knife in the fleshy parts all over the leg and insert a piece of garlic into each one. Place lamb into an oval casserole dish with a lid, or a dish that is big enough to accommodate lamb and be covered with tin foil. Add the capers plus their brine, remaining garlic cloves, ñoras peppers and wine.

Sprinkle paprika over the lamb, add a generous splash of EVO, season and cover. Place in the oven and cook for 3-4 hours, checking and basting occasionally.

Once cooked, add your greens down the side of the lamb so they braise in the juices.

Cover and leave until greens are cooked - about 10 minutes. Remove lamb and rest.

Carve and serve with the greens, capers and juices.

Accompany with new season potatoes, asparagus and Moretti quick cook polenta or heated, drained El Navarrico chickpeas.

PN Visit our retail store or www.sabato.co.nz for more tasty spring recipe ideas. F

SABATO, 57 Normanby Road, T: 09 630 8751, www.sabato.co.nz

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OUT + ABOUT

Clothing racks ouside Wallace Rose

Anne from the Auckland Heritage Festival

John, Rosie & Dean from Freemans Bay Playcentre

Aki from Saan

Cheap bread deal @ il Forno

The rain catches people crossing Richmond Road

The Configure Express Team

Tobias and Rochelle @ Adam Arnold

The Alibis

Musician Dean

Ponsonby Flowers by Bill Patel

Meg @ Rocket Espresso

photography: Everall Deans, PBA & Martin Leach

Stalls on the strip!

Bianca, Jude and Pippa

PONSONBY MARKET DAY, SATURDAY 17 SEPTEMBER

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY HAKANOA HANDMADE GOODIES Rebekah Hay has a stall at Grey Lynn Farmers Market once a month (second Sunday of the month) with her handmade selection of goodies.

She was once based over the road from our PN office on Hakanoa Street. I'm a tad lazy and time poor in the mornings so I start the day the Ayurvedic way with her lemon, ginger and manuka honey cordial. I know Peter Gordon uses her ginger cordial in some of his cocktail recipes. (MARTIN LEACH) LIME & CHILLI GINGER BEER - A crisp refreshing soft drink, perfect as is for the designated driver, or great with vodka for the non-drivers in the group.

GINGER SYRUP - A versatile ginger concentrate beloved by chefs everywhere. Peter Gordon makes cocktails with it, we just pour it on ice-cream!

GINGER LEMON & MANUKA HONEY SYRUP - For people with busy lives. Dilute 1 to 10 with hot water for the perfect Ayurvedic start to your day.

SPICY CHAI SYRUP - Authentic Rajistani spiced tea concentrate for a perfectly balanced spicy chai latte.

SWEET CHAI SYRUP - Gorgeous spiced tea concentrate for a richly decadent chai latte.

SUGAR-FREE CHAI SYRUP Completely unsweetened concentrate, with no nasty fake sugars to spoil the blend of fresh spices and organic black tea.

DRY GINGER BEER - Real proper ginger beer, just like homemade - and not overly sweet.

A lovely quenchy brewed soft drink. F PN www.hakanoa-handmade.co.nz www.facebook.com/hakanoahandmadedrinks

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OUT + ABOUT

Quartet Henrique Morales @ Three Lamps

Dayna & Emma @ Evolution

Caroline @ Ma Cherie

Armando & Alessio @ Gusto Italiano

The Ramen Takara Food truck outside their eatery

Nikki, Yuki & Nobuyuki outside Ramen Takara Food truck

Sue & Melissa @ Household Linens

Jennifer Austin and Jack perform on the strip

James Ross & Aari @ Boy & Bird

Ella outside Configure Women's Gym

Vision Personal Training Ponsonby

photography: Martin Leach

Market Stalls @ Three Lamps

Jonathan & Emma @ Fifth Ave Menswear

PONSONBY MARKET DAY, SATURDAY 17 SEPTEMBER

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

TINA PLUNKETT: PONSONBY CENTRAL

Art, art, art We go art crazy for Auckland Art Festival, with three exhibitions, 16 artists, installations, multiple mediums and disciplines and a brand new Brown Street mural, see you here!

Colours Collective Opening: 14 October, 5-10pm Sapphire Room Andrew J Steel Layla Walter Miranda Brown Amanda Keat Stephen Bradbourneo

Charlotte Graham Isaac Katzoff Nick Von K Charlotte Curd Sam Mathers

Flox Jordan Barnes Serena Stevenson Jimmy James Kouratoras Wild Wagon

Colours Collective Launch & Exhibition is a four-day celebration of art and community.

Colours Collective are celebrating the art of giving. A unique group exhibition featuring a cross-section of visual artists supporting local charities and not-for-profit groups through the sales of art and boutique craft.

Also combining with Ponsonby Business Association and Ponsonby Central to give you a brand new Brown Street mural with Colours Collective artists Flox and Jimmy James.

Sam RB Opening: Monday 10 October, 5pm - 8pm Shop 8 'Kiwi Bacon Yellow Bus' is inspired by the coming together of two experiences - the sense of nostalgia that images of an older Auckland evoke; and a decade of living almost housebound. During those years of anxiety and psychosis, Sam RB imagined an 'empty world' where it might be possible to live and explore without fear. Sam will be on site at Ponsonby Central each day, so please stop by as she would love to chat about her work.

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Glass House - Philip Stokes Opening: Saturday 8 October, 4 - 6pm Shop 4A Artist talks: Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 October at 1pm Manipulating hot glass is no easy feat, yet Philip's magical technique has resulted in mesmerising objects which must be seen firsthand to fully appreciate. Sculptural installations and functional works comprised of glossy, fruity colour, globular drips of layered glass and bursting with whimsy, fun and imagination are here to explore and collect.

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GARY STEEL: VEG FRIENDLY

Doctor, I like your medicine Why are GPs so down on plant eaters?

By and large, vegetarians are a pretty friendly bunch, hence the name of this column.

Mostly, we just want to get on with life, and we don’t feel defined by the fact that we don’t eat meat. We don’t think of ourselves as a weird sect or religion. Most of our friends would say we’re pretty normal, really.

There are some challenges to being vegetarian, however, and meat-eaters might be surprised to find that not eating animals isn’t one of them.

I attended my first appointment with a new GP recently, and her reaction was perfectly synchronised with just about every GP I’ve ever had. When she discovered that I was vegetarian, there was the sudden arched brow and a look of concern, followed by the suggestion that I may not be getting enough iron or calcium.

Being vegetarian is bad enough, but try telling your GP that you’re vegan, and you risk being written off as a crank of the highest order. Blood tests will inevitably be ordered, and when you get them back, they will invariably show that everything is absolutely fine.

I’ve often wondered why the very people who should know best about general health - doctors - seem so uniformly down on vegetarianism.

So I decided to ask one. Wellington-based Dr Luke Wilson has set up a website (Two Zesty Bananas) with fellow Christchurch-based doctor Matt Hobbs, which offers plantbased nutritional advice, as well as a one-on-one Skype consultancy.

Luke, who finished medical school in 2012, says that there’s very little time spent on nutrition and that, therefore, doctors tend to go with their own prejudices around food.

“There was mention of vegetarian and vegan diets, but unfortunately they were being presented as potential causes of nutrient deficiency. We certainly did not learn about the potential for plant-based diets to reverse disease, nor the implication of the standard New Zealand diet in causing disease.

“I really believe that once the information about the health benefits of plant-based diets becomes widely disseminated amongst the medical community, we will see some major changes in these attitudes and how medicine is practised.”

But is it really true that eating plant-based foods is healthier, and where’s the evidence?

“The evidence shows that the average vegetarian is going to be much healthier than the average person eating the standard New Zealand diet, and the average vegan even healthier again,” says Luke. “Of course there are ways to eat unhealthily on a vegetarian or vegan diet, but the vast majority of vegetarians and vegans I have met are orders of magnitude more fastidious about healthy eating than the average New Zealander.

"Other than B12, in the case of vegans, there’s really no call for supplementation.

Certainly you should be able to get all of the necessary nutrients and minerals from a plant-based diet, and it really doesn’t require a special effort to do so.”

For science backup, Luke recommends Dr Gregor’s Nutrition Facts website, which contains thousands of short videos and articles that are all created from review and analysis of articles that have been published in peer-reviewed journals. “Closer to home we have Whole Foods Plant Based Health, which is a fantastic website created by my friends Jenny Cameron and Dr Malcolm Mackay, a plant-based GP based in Melbourne.”

On a positive note, says Luke, there are more GPs now who understand and support the plant-eating angle, and he even names a couple of Grey Lynn doctors, Dr Mark Craig and Dr Fiona Gordon. As for his own website and consultancy, Luke plans to concentrate on providing guidance to those transitioning to plant-based or partly plant-based diets, with a view towards a disease free future, rather than helping old bastards like me get PN rid of their ills. Fair enough, too! (GARY STEEL) F The Vegan Shop can be found at 143 Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn.

Gary Steel is an Auckland-based journalist who runs online vegetarian resource www.doctorfeelgood.co.nz He can be contacted via beautmusic@gmail.com

LITTLE BIRD'S MEGAN MAY IS PART OF THE NEXT TASTE OF AUCKLAND TASTE OF AUCKLAND 2016, IN PARTNERSHIP with Electrolux, is expected to be the biggest and best Taste event yet with an exciting line-up of world-class chefs and restaurants, live cooking demonstrations from culinary superstars, oneon-one chef experiences and special VIP and hospitality experiences. We asked local chef Megan May to share a few secrets: What is your secret cooking tip?

I always make fresh organic produce the central focus of all my meals. When you use really good fresh produce and ingredients, your food will already naturally taste good, plus you get the added health benefits of consuming food that hasn’t been highly processed.

Limiting yourself to seasonal produce can also help you hone your creative skills - there is nothing like limitations to stimulate new ideas and ways of doing things. That was one of the best things about moving to a plant-based diet - losing all those regular ingredients from the pantry due to health problems meant I had to be much more creative with ingredients, techniques and recipes, which I would have never discovered otherwise. Also having a small herb garden or a few pots on hand makes it incredibly easy to add a burst of flavour to any quick meal, and it’s pretty satisfying to be able to pick fresh food from your garden.

What is your best-kept secret Ponsonby spot?

Lees Institute Library. Tucked away at the beginning of St Marys Road this is such a fabulous place to chill out, browse through books and find some inspiration for whatever you’re interested in - the range of cookbooks available at the library is amazing. They also have lots of free events and things for kids as well. Bhana Brothers - not so secret with all those flowers outside, but the guys here always have that hard-to-find ingredient and a massive range of gorgeous flowers to make your day that little bit brighter.

What is your secret to hosting the perfect dinner party?

A welcome drink is a dinner party essential, people always remember the first and last thing of the night - so start strong with something memorable to set an uplifting and welcoming tone. I like to serve something fresh and vibrant, like a fresh seasonal cold -pressed juice that matches the theme of the evenings food - served on ice with some sparkling mineral water and if you’re wanting a little alcohol in the mix, add a dash of organic sake.

What is your secret to good health?

Eating loads of fresh organic vegetables is without a doubt the best way to stay healthy; no matter what else you choose to eat, if you are predominantly basing your meals around fresh veggies, then you are more than likely to experience a vibrant and healthy life. Having spent a lot of my life unwell, I cannot talk about the benefits of starting each day with a fresh green juice or smoothie enough - for me, it has been totally life changing.

What is your secret to success?

Starting my own business, Little Bird Organics and The Unbakery almost seven years ago was a total leap of faith. Taking my passion for cooking and fresh organic plant-based food, and making it into a business was incredibly risky, and hasn’t come without its challenges. Focusing on the reasons we started this business each day is an important part of keeping everyone motivated and passionate about growing the business - we want people to experience how amazing a plant-based diet can make you feel! What you focus on becomes your reality, so focus on the good stuff!

What is your guilty pleasure?

Day spas! Although I haven’t been to one in a while... That’s usually my go-to place for zoning out and escaping from the world for an afternoon. With no technology in sight, herbal tea and a whole lot of whale music, it’s hard to feel stressed about anything. F PN www.tasteofauckland.co.nz

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JULIE BONNER: NEWS FROM FROG POND FARM

Holiday destination Samoa!

We had September ear-marked for adventures overseas (think, holiday).

And as we had rather a damp winter, it was time to pack some bags, grab the camera and passport - holiday destination Samoa!

Have you been? It is such a wonderful place and ticks all the boxes when you want to kick back and relax. The temps are around 30-plus in the day and early-to-mid-20s at night. Thankfully we had an air conditioner, which is a must for sleeping, as is the ceiling fan. But trust me, external doors need to be shut early - the mozzies are intense and find me rather tasty.

The first three days it rained, which was not part of the holiday agenda. But come Tuesday, I hauled back the curtains to a gorgeous day with bright blue skies. Perfect!

Being a cat person, I have that special 'meow-speak' that we cat people develop. So joined at breakfast and dinnertime by hungry kitties means I’m in heaven, sharing what’s on my plate. The felines were thoroughly enjoying my honeyed bacon, sausage and, to my surprise, omelette and toast with Vegemite, all washed down with water from floral arrangements. Smart cats!

As you probably know by now, I’m a blogging fan and enjoy social media, which is part of my job. Generally I’m a sucker for the Internet and, yes, even on holiday! Sadly there was no wi-fi connection in our rooms, which meant tethering to the phone. Which, thankfully worked just fine.

I don’t know about you, but I love going away on holiday with a good book. The one that I had taken was called 'A Light Between Oceans', written by M.L. Stedman, which was a bit of a tearjerker and had me snuffling and grabbing tissues. When I wasn’t reading, we were walking on the beach, snorkelling or, as you do when they are provided, hopping into kayaks to get paddling. The water is tepid and brightly coloured fish could be seen flitting amongst the coral, which, sadly, there wasn’t much of. Interestingly, we were staying on the coast that was hit by the 2009 tsunami - I did wonder whether this might have made an impact on the coral.

Any opportunity I get, I’m out with my camera. And as I had taken two bottles of Toi Toi with me, I was toting them about and taking loads of photos of vino in gorgeous tropical surrounds. For those that don’t know, Samoa is only a three and a half hour plane journey from New Zealand. We stayed on the island of Upolu, which has the capital of Apia and is the most popular island in the group. If you get a chance to visit you must pop into the Robert Louis Stevenson museum, which is located about 5km from Apia.

Called Villa Vailima, this regal house is next to the Vailima National Reserve.

RLS was a sick man after contracting tuberculosis. So in 1890, he moved his family to Samoa believing that the warmer climate would help him with his illness. Sadly this wasn’t to be and he passed away in 1894. My husband and I visited his home on the Saturday, leaving our footwear at the door. I was in awe and felt most humbled to be there. I would love to tell his story as our guide did that day, finishing the tour in song with her beautiful melodic voice paying tribute to this great man. I’m sure he was with us that day, too. If his piano had started playing, I would not have been surprised.

We had a fabulous break and met some truly lovely people. The islanders are so very friendly and incredibly hospitable, making our holiday one to be remembered. Thanks to everyone that made this such a special break.

Needless to say, as much as I like being away, I love getting home. It never ceases to amaze me how much my garden grows in our absence, weeds included. And that garlic ... I’m desperately trying to walk past the beds with my eyes shut! Get my drift...

Broccoli has flowered and is doing a fab job feeding the insect wildlife and, mentioning the latter, I spotted a duck with her tribe this morning, enjoying our pond. The garden is a mass of spring flowers and there is blossom now on trees in the orchard. Which means time to get cracking and fertilise them, throw about some mulch and waste time trying to PN find the duck family. Let’s not mention the wild turkeys. (JULIE BONNER) F If you are interested in more news from our place or perhaps some gardening tips, then visit my blog www.frogpondfarm.co.nz

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PHIL PARKER: WHOSE WINE IS IT ANYWAY?

Spring wines Here we go with some fab new spring release wines - one white and three robust reds - that have just come on to the market.

Spring is a fun time for wine writers because a number of wines start to be released, from young white wines to reds that have been quietly resting in barrels for over a year before bottling.

Saint Clair Marlborough Premium Viognier 2015, $21.50 Viognier is a white variety from northern Rhône in France that was all the rage about 10 years ago. Now, it accounts for less than 0.5% of the national vineyard. Pity. This is an unoaked, stainless-steel fermented style. One the nose, it has a whiff of lemon blossom and poached pear. In the mouth, it’s elegant and dry, with flavours of pear juice, fresh cut apricot, a hint of nougat, anise spice and Triple Sec with a lengthy musky finish that reminds me of a good margarita. Great with pan-fried gurnard or creamy veg pasta.

Gladstone Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2013, $39 A bit like a good cheese, sometimes a good wine is a bit pongy, but in a good way.

Classic pinot noir can have aromas often described as 'barnyardy'; ie, savoury and even a bit feral. This wine looks light-bodied, but is an olfactory explosion of spice, cherry, truffle and barnyard/gamey aromas. On the palate, the theme continues strongly with complex savoury, leathery and gamey flavours backed up with cherry, plum, truffle and red liquorice. Amazing. Food match venison or rabbit. Veg option - pasta with truffle and mushroom sauce.

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2014 , $37.90 Merlot had a big dive in popularity after the main character in the United States movie Sideways slagged it in favour of pinot noir (what wasn’t revealed in the script was that he wouldn’t drink it because it was his ex-wife’s favourite). Nevertheless, United States' merlot sales plummeted and pinot noir went through the roof. C’est la vie - c’est le vin! Anyway, this is a lovely example of a ripe and juicy wine from the Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay appellation. Smells great. Earthy, spicy and with ripe plum and blackberry.

Swished around the mouth, it’s big, ripe and generous with blackberry, spice and dark chocolate with medium tannins and a slightly gamey finish. Would be a fab match for a hearty venison casserole.

Trinity Hill Homage Hawke's Bay Syrah 2014, $130 Another red from the Gimblett Gravels sub region of Hawke's Bay. This is Trinity Hills’ flagship wine, 100% syrah, hand-picked and aged in new French oak for 14 months.

Smoky aromas open up in the glass after a good swirl, giving way to plum, black cherry and clove. This is a chunky concentrated wine with a big hit of black pepper and spice on the palate, and firm tannic structure with hints of mocha, prune, cherry and spice. It finishes dry and lengthy. This one is young and edgy - pop it away for at least five years and let it settle. A great match for beef bourguignon or a spicy ratatouille.

(PHIL PARKER) F PN

FOUR BAKERS WENT HEAD TO HEAD IN A BAKE-OFF AT COUNTDOWN PONSONBY Four Countdown bakers went head to head in a national ciabatta pocket bake off at Countdown Ponsonby last month.

The judges tasted, scored, conferred and named Ricky Barsby from Eastgate Countdown as the national Countdown Best Baker 2016.

Ricky was up against the best bakers from each zone. There are four zones across New Zealand: Auckland, Waikato/ Bay of Plenty, Lower North Island, South Island.

Including: • Jordan Palmer - Countdown Lynnmall • Graeme Malcolm - Rotorua • Glen McIntosh - Paraparaumu Countdown Category Manager Michael Gullery says, “Ricky came out on top because his ciabatta had a great open texture and an even golden crust, which was achieved by using the correct water quantity in the dough.”

Countdown bakes more than 15 million ciabatta pockets every year, but getting this popular bread to have the perfect outside crust and inner softness takes significant skill, practice and patience. The four finalist bakers were judged on the following key elements of a perfect ciabatta pocket: • Is the ciabatta pocket square?

• Does the ciabatta pocket weigh between 85 and 95 grams?

• Is the ciabatta pocket crusty all over?

• Does the ciabatta pocket have a broken flour appearance on top?

• Does the ciabatta pocket have an open dough structure with lots of small holes?

As an aside - I’d love to get your feedback on this column. Any suggestions for wines that you’d like to see reviewed or other comments. E: phil.parker@xtra.co.nz and I’ll reply promptly!

Phil Parker is a wine writer and operates Fine Wine & Food Tours in Auckland.

See: www.finewinetours.co.nz Phil’s new cellar door book ‘NZ Wine Regions - A Visitor’s Guide’ is now available on Amazon Kindle.

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY NEWS FROM THE GOVERNOR Not long after opening its doors, The Governor has fast become a Herne Bay institution; serving its clientele fresh, seasonal food with a modern flare from breakfast through to dinner.

Familiar faces can be found enjoying the al fresco dining area, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling local scene, with several spaces inside that can accommodate bookings of intimate parties to group functions and corporate events.

Located in the idyllic space at 228 Jervois Road and with plenty of parking in the adjacent Albany Road, this cute and cosy eatery prides itself on offering quality cuisine with exemplary service in a welcoming and casual environment, something the enthusiastic staff relish as they interact with regulars and new faces alike.

Seeing a space for an invigorated menu that focuses on fusing locally sourced and sustainable ingredients with flavours from around the world and a carefully curated wine, spirits and cocktails list to match, the menu on offer at The Governor combines a rich variety of cultural treats with intriguing textures that must be tasted to be believed.

Launching their new summer menu on 1 October sees exciting times ahead for the favourite cafe-come-dinner hot spot. But don’t worry, crowd favourites are still on offer for breakfast and brunch, with fresh market fish interchanging daily.

One local voice says: "The Governor is putting a fresh touch on the food scene by taking advantage of the diversity of new fruits and vegetables available and offering a varietal menu that caters to the masses and foodies equally. They have now made their signature chicken liver parfait and house-made granola available to take home and enjoy."

At this local cafe it all starts with the coffee. Sourcing their beans from those trendy guys down at Underground Coffee in Christchurch; The Governor serves up a consistent and quality drop each and every time, with the passionate baristas behind the machine churning out hundreds of hot cups every morning and all with a perfectionist's touch. Fresh-made iced coffees and chocolates are made with the same passion, using fair trade Devonport chocolate. However, if tea is more your thing, the range on offer from Harney & Sons has everything from Earl Grey to green tea with coconut, all of which complement the savoury and sweet treats baked on the premises.

Perfectly ripened tomatoes supplied by family growers the Curious Croppers take centre stage at breakfast; paired with whipped feta, artisanal breads and award-winning Matakana olive oil that work together to provide a burst of freshness and flavour. And with a brand new menu that incorporates seasonal vegetables including avocado, green beans and asparagus, quality produce is carefully selected - combining classic cuisine with the hottest new happenings on the food scene.

Everyone’s favourite the smoked brandade dish is still on the menu for both dinner and lunch but with a slightly spicy addition in the form of succulent chorizo sausages, complementing the flavours beautifully with a rich, meaty taste and giving a nod to

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

the European influences found in many of these exquisite dishes - most notably the awe-inspiring parmigiano reggiano wheel that has everyone stopping for a look and complimentary taste.

The prospect of summer drinks in the sun brings with it a brand new snacks menu and sharing plates section that is perfect for enjoying with friends and family. Cured meats, gourmet cheeses, carefully picked accompaniments and casual bistro fare ensure that, whilst small, this menu is an absolute pleasure on the palate and can be enjoyed throughout the day and into the evening.

The Governor has grounded itself in the local food scene by offering typically Kiwi fare infused with worldly flavours that create a medley of mouth watering dishes. The modern decor and lively atmosphere make this cafe a buzz during the day with a soft ambient glow setting the scene for dinner, making this local the perfect place to drop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Bookings can now be made for corporate events and holiday functions - all with this tantalising new menu. F PN THE GOVERNOR, 228 Jervois Road, T: 09 361 5060, www.thegovenor.co.nz

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ROSS THORBY: SEA FEVER The idyllic Seychelles has often been likened to Monaco as being 'a sunny place for shady people'.

'The Island of Spies' with its record number of Russian, American and Korean satellites stationed overhead supposedly supports a population of secret agents conniving in Machiavellian plots of treachery and mystery, all within this tropical island paradise. Its shady reputation has been more recently enhanced as a capital for money laundering by 'blood diamond' miners, shady arms dealers, dodgy Arab sheiks and Colombian war lords; but then, if you have to work in the darkness of the underworld, why not do it on a beautiful island with glorious sunshine and fantastic beaches?

Situated northeast of Madagascar and 1600km off the coast of Kenya, the Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands sitting in a pool of azure coral sea. Neighbouring the capital of Victoria, impressive tourist resorts front vast marinas filled with expensive -looking superyachts. Shrieking a blend of Caribbean vibe and African rhythm, the city’s multi-coloured suburbs spill down the impressive volcanic slopes towards the sea.

With my two favourite companions from the Midships Bar (our shipboard version of Cheers, a bar where everybody knows your name), we strode off the ship in the heat of the early morning. Deftly squeezing through the phalanx of street hawkers, dockside shops setup for the occasion and eager bus drivers, we sought out a taxi for the day.

Air-conditioning being our top priority followed by a driver’s licence and proof of sanity.

We found 'George' clad in a Rastafarian cap, shorts and little else, and fled the port in his Renault, leaving a cloud of stinking exhaust hovering over the other ship’s passengers haggling and arguing the toss with the remaining touts.

Gingerly working our way along the narrow roadway creeping up the side of the mountain, with a deep, plunging ravine on one side and steep foliage-laden hills on the other, we made the summit where an abandoned village sat, its crumbling walls striving to break free from the thick vines covering the jungle floor. Originally built to house and educate slave children, it was eventually abandoned and is now a reminder of the Seychelles dramatic past as the hub for hapless Africans on their way to the slave markets of England and the Caribbean.

Amongst the vegetation slowly taking over the foundations of the remaining stone walls, were huge cinnamon trees, the natural scent of their bark filling the air with a sweet aroma that added to the dramatic atmosphere of thick green forest and colourful exotic birdlife flying around us.

On the other side of the mountain, we passed great swathes of tea plantations clinging tentatively to the steep slopes. Tea-pickers slowly moved through the leafage whilst filling their backpacks just as countless generations of slaves had done before them.

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The other side of the island, with its isolated shoreline, is rich in mangrove swamps and small primitive villages. Government tenements sit on white pristine beaches tickled by foaming surf, where the view is beautiful one day glorious the next.

On one magnificent beach where we managed a quick swim, is a small island just off-shore that you can reach by wading through the receding tide. It sported a quaint thatched restaurant, promoting the Fish of the Day caught from the very shores surrounding the isle along with a sports bar patronised by laid-back surfers and relaxed locals.

After our refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters, we plunged into the sights and sounds of the Creole-styled Victoria. Fresh food-markets, knock off pop-up shops and plenty of people sporting the rainbow caps favoured by Rastas.

Relaxing back on board after a magnificent day, we set sail into the setting sun, admiring the view from the ship’s fantail as she negotiated around the protective coral reefs and sipping brightly coloured cocktails presented in all the hues of the Rastafarian’s skullcaps now being sported by more than a few passengers.

Befitting the island’s dark reputation, it was here that the ship embarked a special security team led by a Lieutenant Commander from the Royal Navy who is a specialist in 'pirate relations' and 'international security'. For now, the ship enters the dangerous pirate waters only a few miles hence from the Islands.

The Seychelles may be trying to shake off a reputation of a dodgy past with its idyllic setting and tourist-friendly resorts, but the undercurrent of pirates and treachery lie just beyond its idyllic coral shores. (ROSS THORBY) F PN

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

TRAVEL BREAKS: THE NEW THERAPY!

THE BEST OF THE MED

by Caroline Clegg, World Journeys

Buried Roman cities, teetering coastal villages, Venetian palaces, awe-inspiring art and sun-kissed beaches - the Mediterranean has a special magic that always leaves you wanting more!

Naturally a cruise is the best way to experience it all. With iconic port cities lining the coast, you can pull in at a unique spot each day and retreat to your luxurious ‘home base’ each night. Strolling those cobbled streets in the Old Town sounds delightful but can result in tired legs, so it’s good to know you’ll be waited on, hand and foot, on your return!

For those looking for a little more than a cruise, World Journeys has combined the best of both worlds with some in-depth touring of the charming villages of the Cinque Terre and Lake Como, followed by a delightful Mediterranean cruise - truly 'The Best of the Med'.

There’s no better place to start a cruise than Venice, with its romantic canals and opulent palaces lining the route. Calling into Croatia at Zadar, you can explore the old town with its medieval churches and monasteries, and surrounding Roman aqueducts. Zadar’s museum exhibits go even further back - to the Stone Age no less!

Taormina is alive with Sicilian culture, cuisine and at times a very lively volcano - Mt Etna.

Whatever you do, don’t leave Sicily without trying the local Arancini, rice balls with various fillings, which are said to have originated in Sicily in the 10th Century.

Sorrento is your gateway to the beautiful isle of Capri, the Amalfi Coast, or the poignant ruins of Pompeii. Sorrento itself is famous for its delicious Limoncello digestif, made with lemons grown locally in the picturesque groves surrounding the town.

Rome, naturally, will be a highlight for many. Need we mention the ancient Roman Forum and Colosseum, St Peter’s Basilica, Michelangelo’s Pieta and the Sistine Chapel - make sure you save some energy for Rome and just dive in!

Get a glimpse of the lives of the rich and famous in Monte Carlo and Cannes, with casinos, boutique-lined boulevards and glitzy restaurants, but make sure you wander off the main drag and you’ll find some charming old streets.

Ending with Spain, you can stop in at the famous Dali Museum of Palamos, then delight in plenty of time in Barcelona to explore the colourful Gaudi architecture, and take a gastronomic tour through the Bouqueria Markets of Las Ramblas, followed by cooking class to learn some typical Spanish dishes.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

A small group of no more than 18 guests will be hosted on this journey, but that’s where any resemblance to a standard tour group ends. Special experiences have been included to provide that ‘wow’ factor, such as a farmhouse picnic in the hills above Portofino, and a delightful courtyard dinner in a Venetian Gothic Palace. Your World Journeys host is there to take care of tipping and generally smooth the way, leaving you to simply relax and enjoy the very best of the Med.

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PONSONBY NEWS READERS ARE EVERYWHERE

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1. Gerard Hall and Allan Horner taking in the Republic of Indonesia Independence Day parade on the island of SABANG. The parade was made up of mainly school children all dressed in national costume. It lasted for almost two hours, with much music and cheering from proud parents on the sidewalk.

2. Allan Horner enjoying the heat on the Dragonfly bridge at SINGAPORE’S Gardens by the Bay. 3. Allan Horner on SABANG ISLAND. The island is adjacent to the coastal town of Banda Aceh which was devastated during the December 2004 tsunami.

4. Gerard Hall was keen to get some shade and a sit down in the Supertree Grove at SINGAPORE’S Gardens by the Bay. 5. PONSONBY NEWS goes on holiday to FIJI with Trish Willoughby, a property manager @ UP REAL ESTATE, Mt Eden Road.

6. Local resident Judy Long is photographed in Havana, CUBA with a 'friend'.

7. Charlotte Kofoed from NZ Sotherby's in Herne Bay sent us in her photo telling us, "Recently I was fortunate enough to be invited to accompany my husband on a company conference in TAHITI! Here's a photo of me reading the Ponsonby News in sunny Moorea Island!”

Dear readers please keep sending us your holiday snaps reading your favourite magazine, we love getting them! Photos need to be in high resolution (300dpi), so please email them to info@ponsonbynews.co.nz without reducing the size.

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DON’T MISS

NOVEMBER SPECIAL FEATURES + HOLIDAY READING

THE NOVEMBER

+ FASHION - JEWELLERY

PONSONBY NEWS+ DEADLINE

+ THE FUTURE OF CHILDREN’S EDUCATION

+ CHRISTMAS GIFTS

+ HAPPY HOLIDAY MOTORING

COPY DEADLINE: Thursday 20 October PUBLISHED: Friday 4 November PREMIUM POSITIONS AVAILABLE TO BOOK ADVERTISING: Call Jo Barrett on 021 324 510 or Jan 027 595 2557 t: 09 361 3356 or 09 378 8553 e: joannebarrett@xtra.co.nz e: jan@ponsonbynews.co.nz w: www.ponsonbynews.co.nz The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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FASHION + STYLE: JULIE ROULSTON

New season shoes There’s no need for a classic anything when it comes to shoes this season. Make a mule-ish nod to the 90s, or rock leading edge hardware or shape. Your shoes can ensure your look reflects your style or even just your mood - right to the tip of your toes.

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WHERE TO BUY IN GREATER PONSONBY 1. Chaos & Harmony sandal $299 chaosandharmonyshoes.com 2. Chaos & Harmony flat $299 chaosandharmonyshoes.com 3. Chloe sandal $798 www.workshop.co.nz 4. Mi Piaci slingback $250 www.mipiaci.co.nz 5. Revie mule $369 www.revie.co.nz 6. Mi Piaci sandal $250 www.mipiaci.co.nz 7. Miss Wilson brogue $329 www.kathrynwilson.com 8. Revie heel $389 www.revie.co.nz 9. Miss Wilson heel $369 www.kathrynwilson.com 10. Marc Jacobs sandal $479 www.workshop.co.nz 11. Kate Sylvester heel $589 www.katesylvester.com 12. Proenza Schouler pump $949 www.workshop.co.nz 13. Chaos & Harmony heel $349 chaosandharmonyshoes.com 14. Marc Jacobs Mary Jane $789 www.workshop.com 15. Chaos & Harmony slingback $329 chaosandharmonyshoes.com 16. Kathryn Wilson slingback $299 www.kathrynwilson.com The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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ANGELA LASSIG: LETTERS FROM MAUDIE The monthly jottings of a free-spirited Ponsonby dressmaker of the 1920s, as imagined by Angela Lassig.

VERMONT STREET, PONSONBY 15 OCTOBER 1925

Dear Harriet,

Speaking of shopping; I’ve had such fun buying presents to post to ‘my children’ in England! You may remember Alice? I’m sure I told you about her.

She was a close school friend who went to England right after the end of the war to help look after her brother who had been injured in France. During her frequent visits to the rehabilitation hospital in London she fell for one of Tom’s friends and they married a year later. She now lives in Oxford with Jack who is a doctor at the Radcliffe Infirmary there. Jack has the lower half of one leg missing but happily it didn’t stop him from studying medicine. Someone at the university there made him a terrific artificial leg which is apparently very comfortable and has allowed him to walk without a limp.

Anyway...they have three wee girls including five-year-old twins and I’ve been sending them presents since they were babes. I’m their unofficial ‘Aunty’, and even though we’ve never met, they are special to me, especially since I’ll never have real nieces and nephews.[i] As you well know, Harriet, when it comes to buying gifts I am rather indecisive. I can still picture you rolling your eyes (I lost count how many times) when we went shopping for a present for your little Jane in February. You must, however, agree that it was well worth walking all those miles when I found that gorgeous plush white bunny. If I remember correctly, you had to buy an identical one when Janey wouldn’t give ‘Bunny the bunny’ up to be washed! I imagine that she has it in her clutches now and is either dragging it around by one foot or cuddling it in her sleep.

I believe that there is more real joy in make-believe than can be gained from the elaborate toys that we find in the shops today. For this reason I’ve sent Margaret, the seven-year-old, a box of dressmaking things. After her mother gave me the measurements of Meg’s favourite doll, I designed some very simple clothes, made cardboard templates of them and then sorted through all my offcuts for the prettiest remnants. I then sorted through my box of odds and ends for matching lace, ribbon, buttons and other dainties for her to play ‘dressmaker’ with. All of these things are now packed into a charming wicker sewing box that I purchased from the always wonderful Diamond’s Fancy Goods shop[ii]. Apart from the sewing box, the only other things I had to buy were a packet of pretty glass-headed pins, some large needles, reels of mercerised cotton and a pair of scissors for little hands. I hope that she will be as delighted as I would to receive such a gift. Her mother has already taught her to hand sew and darn, so little Meg should have no trouble creating fashionable ensembles for her dolly!

For the twins, Lisbeth and Cissy, I decided to narrow my search to books.

As I’m very unfamiliar with children’s literature today I took the advice of a reviewer in the Herald and sought out some new tomes by Isabel Maud Peacocke. Are you familiar with her work? It is truly delightful. For Lisbeth I bought 'Sand Babies' which tells the adventures of two fascinatingly funny

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fairies who live in the sands of the seashore. They set out to see the wide world and have all sorts of adventures. For Cissy I purchased 'Teenywiggles' which is about a group of adventurous elves who live in a swamp. They are captured by tadpoles and made slaves by a big frog called the “Mother of Millions”! It is most amusing! The illustrations for both books were done by Trevor Lloyd[iii] - you must be familiar with his work from the Herald and the Weekly News?

I know his daughters Olive and Connie rather well. Apart from being very musical, Olive is a terrific artist and is especially good at sketching fashion.

This has reminded me that I must ask Olive if she'd make drawings of some of my summer frocks for my catalogue. Photographs just don’t capture all the detailing like a good fashion sketch does. I’m also toying with the idea of advertising in the newspaper! Using one of Olive’s sketches would be just the thing if I decide that I can cope with the extra orders that an advertisement would no doubt generate.

I must tell you about a lovely little shop where I found Alice’s present. It’s called the Indian Art Depot[iv] and has just opened in St. Kevin’s Arcade off Karangahape Road. It’s full of quaint things all hand-made in India. I bought a delicious rich rose pink silk sari which is decorated all over with little sprigs embroidered in silver thread. The borders are woven in silver thread and there is a richly woven section at the very end which I believe is traditionally made up into a blouse to wear with the sari. I’m thinking about hanging it over a narrow pole and using it as a wall decoration but I could use it as a curtain. Or I might cut it up and make a frock from it. It’s so long that I might be able to do all three things! Anyway, back to Alice’s present! I bought her a beautifully tooled leather book cover which is decorated on the front and back with a peacock in full tail. The work is well executed and beautifully coloured with vegetable dyes. I hope that you like the bookmark that I enclose with this letter. I bought it from the same shop as a wee tempter for you to come and visit me. You’ll die of happiness when you see all the brass bowls. They would make lovely planters in your conservatory.

And I know you’ll just love the baskets of bells - all shapes and tones - that are perfect for stringing up and hanging in the garden. I bought three little tinklers which I’ve hung on my workroom door and happily announce anyone who is rude enough not to knock (like my George).

Well, my dear, I’d better let you get ready to go out shopping for velvet ribbon for me! I’m only jesting... Would your Maudie be that demanding? (Don’t even think about answering that!)

With much love and a big hug to Janey and Bunny,

Maudie xx [i] Maudie is an only child [ii] Miss May Diamond, Fancy Goods dealer, 145 Ponsonby Road (in 1925) [iii] For his Biography see: www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/biographies/3l9/lloyd-trevor [iv] Announcement of reopening of this ‘pretty little shop’, New Zealand Herald, 2/1/25, p.1.

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illustration: Michael McClintock

I’m in desperate need of some turquoise velvet ribbon to complete an ensemble and enclose a snippet for matching. I need three yards and it needs to be the same width - two inches - or very close to it. If you can post it to me by the end of the month I will be immensely grateful. I must be slipping! I had planned to add the ribbon to trim the sleeve edges and hem of a jacket and the bottom of the matching skirt but only bought one and a half yards... I don’t know what I was thinking. And of course I can’t find what I want anywhere!

I know you’ll find it at Kirkaldies or Pringles. I’ll post you a cheque unless you’d like me to get you something for the same amount. You know that I’m always happy to go shopping for you!

FASHION + STYLE: JULIE ROULSTON

New guard shines at NZFW Exciting! Four local labels, all new to the New Zealand Fashion Week runway, gave an excellent show this August. Exciting because a good show is not only stimulating and entertaining, but promises fresh new fashion - with original design content - to buy next season.

New Zealand Fashion Week knew what it was doing. It grouped the four newcomers in comfortable, daytime spots in its schedule, early in the trade-only section of the event which, incidentally, now has a ratio of approximately 60:40 trade to consumer shows. At the core, daytime Contemporary Salon shows and their ilk are for serious fashion types (which run the gamut nowadays from editors to stylists to bloggers), Fashion Week nerds and designers’ true fans.

Sure, the four labels in question have as many differences as they do similarities. Liz Wilson’s Eugenie is the only one to occupy its own bricks and mortar retail store (in Mackelvie Street). Kate Megaw of Penny Sage has been in business for many seasons and was an editorial darling long before Fashion Week. Lucilla Gray, fairly recent graduate

Eugenie

Penny Sage Show: Eugenie Designer: Liz Wilson What: Bright red mulleted hot punks.

Standouts: slinky denim including eyecatching paneled jackets, fresh colour combinations and louche crushed velvet.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

that she may be, bunnyhopped our local Fashion Week completely for her first show and went straight to London Fashion Week. And Wynn Crawshaw of Wynn Hamlyn is only in his third season.

“I am (virtually) giving a round of applause to Wynn Hamlyn, Eugenie, Penny Sage and Lucilla Gray for ‘wowing’ me,” wrote Brooke Testoni, heavyweight Australian-based influencer and VIP media at Fashion Week. The ‘wow’ the labels have in common? Their designs are womanly yet edgy. They have their own individual handwriting - you won’t mistake a Penny Sage for a Witchery nor a Eugenie for a Zara. These brands aren’t driven by trends aside from what is tickling their designers’ creative funnybones, so the styles will only improve with time - they’ll never scream ‘last month’. (JULIE ROULSTON)

Eugenie

Lucilla Gray Show: Wynn Hamlyn Designer: Wynn Crawshaw What: Tailoring and quirky knitwear in a rich palette. Arty clothes to wear with flat shoes. Standouts: innovative use of fabric: at the extreme, a belief-defying Axminster carpet coat.

Wynn Hamlyn

Lucilla Gray Show: Penny Sage Designer: Kate Megaw What: Pristine minimalist separates with highlights of lustrous satin cast against earthy texture. Standouts: slender keyhole bodice maxi dresses and a boat -neck jumpsuit.

Show: Lucilla Gray Designer: Lucilla Gray What: Sculptural yet languid shapes.

A hint of 70s romanticism. Standouts: one of the most covetable, contrastlapeled coats we’ve seen in a long time.

A unique, dramatic print.

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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HELENE RAVLICH: LOCAL DESIGNER

Kristine Crabb, Miss Crabb This year’s New Zealand Fashion Week kicked off for me with the Miss Crabb show on Tuesday night.

An off-schedule show filled with pieces that just made my heart go boom, it all happened on Auckland’s Karangahape Road after models alighted from a Link bus and strutted their stuff along a 25m red carpet. Perfect, and totally Miss Crabb. Who would want it any other way? Kristine Crabb, the glorious woman behind the brand, said she originally planned to throw a small party, but they wanted to celebrate Fashion Week in a unique way. Unique it was, and beautiful to boot.

I have proudly worn Kristine’s clothes since the heady days of 2002, when she had Rip Shit and Bust fashion gallery on K’Road. Showing on the infamous strip 14 years later showed just how far the label has come, but that it still honours its roots by being a little bit naughty as well as elegant, and a whole lot rock n’ roll.

The Miss Crabb label proper was established in 2004, coinciding with Kristine opening her flagship store on Ponsonby Road. Back then the block between Picton Street and Hepburn Street wasn’t the buzzing, retail hot spot that it is now, but word spread and soon her collections were being sought out by women across the country keen for a slice of the Cult of Crabb. Although no long sewn upstairs from the store, every piece from her collections is still produced in New Zealand, and supporting high-quality local production is important to the brand. You can literally feel the love and care that has gone into the creation of each garment. Sure it costs more than, say, the chain store nearby, but you will love and cherish it for a whole lot longer.

The Miss Crabb label describes itself as taking “a subversive approach to shape, proportion and beauty so each piece transcends time, age and place.” I love the fact that each piece was made to be interpreted by the wearer, encouraging singularity and freedom. This harmony between design and restraint allows the purity of beautifully sourced fabrics like silk, linen and cotton to speak for itself. The patterns, which Kristine cuts herself, are often basic geometric shapes that delicately transform these natural materials into effortless yet quietly poetic and enduring pieces. In a word: perfection.

One of the things that excited me about seeing Kristine’s recent NZFW outing was the fact that for the first time ever, the collection included Miss Crabb shoes. Created in association with mass-market brand Mi Piaci, they are a whole new direction for the label but one that makes perfect sense.

When we talk over a pot of tea at the Ponsonby home Kristine shares with her three beautiful children, she tells me that when Mi Piaci first emailed her earlier this year offering to enter into a design collaboration of sorts she thought, “Why not?”

After a surprisingly simple design process, the first samples started arriving in May from the offshore factory where they were being manufactured, a time that was both exciting and strange for the designer. I wondered if it was odd having her creations made so far from home after years of being so hands on and literally whipping collections up in the studio above her store? “It was at first,” she says with a smile, “but I could make the smallest changes to the original samples and nothing was any bother. They were finished beautifully, and it was so cool working with a company that has so much experience when it comes to getting it right, and on a bigger scale than I am usually used to.”

The shoe collection hits stores in November, including Kristine’s Ponsonby Road boutique and her stockists. She describes the shoes as “trashy fancy... they are based on dancing shoes and are really girly and in colours like pink, red, grey and ballet bone.” She says they are designed to be party shoes but worn every day, and there are a lot of contrasting textures going on like patent leather with suede for a little extra special something.

Also still relatively new to the Miss Crabb flagship is the beautiful, purpose-built lounge above the store named Heaven, which was established especially for their Special Order service. It’s the place you can make an appointment to visit for that perfect one-off piece - be it an unconventional wedding dress, bridesmaids' dresses or purely because you've always longed for that elusive dress of your dreams. You can use the Special Order service to re-create your favourite Miss Crabb style, past or present, in a unique colour and fabric from the design team’s thoughtfully curated range of special silks, lace and other special fabrics they love. Each piece is personally overseen from conception to creation by one of their consultants and produced individually, ensuring it fulfils your vision. Complete with plush sofas, Champagne Collet and enormous dressing rooms, it is the perfect place to feel truly special, have a play with beautiful things and, in essence, escape real life. How great is that?

“The bespoke part of the business has been growing so much it just seemed a logical thing to do,” smiles Kristine, “and it has become one of my favourite parts of the business. My customers are just such cool people and I love creating really special things for them.” (HELENE RAVLICH) F PN www.misscrabb.com

A preview of the upcoming Miss Crabb shoe collection

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FASHION + STYLE RETAIL SUPERSTAR Nick Paulsen - Clash Online

How did you come to be a retail salesperson?

When I left school (quite some time ago!) I wanted to gain skills and experience in customer service. Initially working in hospitality, I was given the opportunity to manage, a retail store. Things really progressed from there.

For me it’s a career and never seemed to be a temporary thing or something that would do for now.

What brought you to Clash?

From managing stores I progressed to managing groups of stores. Having had so many great experiences with staff and customers I thought it would be great to have a business of my own where I could put all the skills I had picked up into practise. Clash was born about four years ago.

What do you love about your store?

I think that it has personality and a different kind of energy to it. Customers who come into our studio love its light and it’s a relaxing space in which to spend time. I buy-in all of our product and put a lot of effort into purchasing unique streetwear that is top quality. There are a lot of stories in the studio rather than product crammed on a rack.

What makes a standout retail salesperson?

Someone who is genuine and treats every customer as an individual. Everyone is different and has different needs. Recognising loyal customers is so important as well as welcoming new customers to your business. I value a retail staff member who listens closely to what it is you are looking for and will do everything they can to help.

A willingness to go the extra mile.

Tell us about a memorable sale you've made this year.

Some people would probably answer this differently. For me it wasn’t a massive sale that smashed a store target. Rather it was working closely with a customer down in Wellington who wanted to buy her daughter her first pair of Doc Martens.

We were communicating very closely to ensure we had the right size and right style. It took a few weeks but eventually my customer found the pair she wanted. I wrapped them up and sent them down south. Her daughter was really excited and as most people know who own a pair of Doc Martens, when you receive your first pair it’s something you will always remember. She will be a Doc Martens' fan for life and being a part of that was an awesome experience.

If you could wave your wand and have anyone in the world walk into your store right now, who would it be?

Tough question. I would say Liam Gallagher. He’s got the coolest style, owns one of my favourite brands, ‘Pretty Green’ and would have some amazing stories (that is if he felt like talking, he’s a grumpy bloke apparently).

If you could wave your wand and have anyone in greater Ponsonby walk into your store right now, who would it be?

Let’s say the Newshub studio. I would love to get rid of Paul Henry’s Converse and replace them with some Vans. He may rub some up the wrong way but I think he’s hilarious. Definitely adds some much needed flavour to morning TV. Where do you enjoy shopping?

If not down Ponsonby Road, I really love Auckland CBD, around Vulcan Lane and High Street. There’s awesome shopping with some different kinds of product and it still remains boutique.

Name someone you think is a great greater Ponsonby store.

I really like the store Knowear. I think it has a super-cool collection and its staff are always really welcoming and friendly. Definitely a highlight on Ponsonby Road PN for sure. F CLASH ONLINE www.clash.co.nz The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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HELENE RAVLICH: LOCAL BEAUTY

My makeup picks from NZFW 2016 The make up and hair looks seen - and dissected - on the runways at the most recent New Zealand Fashion Week ran from the barely there to the highly dramatic, and pretty much everything in between.

With a few tweaks here and there, many of the better looks can be comfortably interpreted to your own ends, and I was lucky enough to get the low down on some of my favourites from the artists in charge.

This year’s NZFW really kicked off for me with the Miss Crabb show on Tuesday night. An off-schedule show filled with pieces that just made my heart go boom, it all happened on Auckland’s K'Road after models alighted from a Link Bus and strutted their stuff along a 25m red carpet. Perfection, and totally, utterly and unabashedly Crabb. Kristine Crabb, the glorious woman behind the brand, said she originally planned to throw a small party, but they wanted to celebrate Fashion Week in a unique way. Unique it was, and beautiful to boot.

Kiekie Stanners, Senior Artist M.A.C Cosmetics, New Zealand was tasked with creating a totally Miss Crabb makeup look to complement the clothes, with the inspiration being: “PJ Harvey beauties with a pop of Andy Warhol.” Colourful and unique whilst also being incredibly wearable (that lip!), it can be recreated using just a handful of easy to use M.A.C Cosmetics' marvels. First up for face, Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation was applied and then Cream Colour Base in Pearl used to highlight skin. Cream Colour Base in Vintage Rose was then applied to cheeks for a natural flush. On the eyes, Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Clearwater was buffed out over the eyelid before a combination of PRO Acrylic Paints in Hi Def Cyan, Pure White and Landscape Green were pressed on top. Fluidline in Blacktrack completed the look. The perfect red lip was added using Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Fashion Legacy, which has just shot straight to the top of my ‘must have’ list.

Next up on my list of favourite makeup looks was at the Knuefermann show, also offsite and full of beautiful, wearable things. When I mention the names 'TK Store' and the

Backstage at Harman Grubiša designer Turet Knuefermann to most women, the first thing that comes to mind is sexy.

Elegant yet sensual styles that can work for any woman, and quality that lasts. The latest offerings are all this and more, and were aired for the first time at the label’s concept store in the historic Kauri Timber Building on Fanshawe Street. Architecture firm Fearon Hay created a space there that reflects a luxury consumer experience along with European style and the clean lines that the brand is known for, and it really was the completely perfect place for the label’s NZFW show. It goes without saying that the collection was absolutely flawless. Want it all, and ASAP. Athena Pessione for M.A.C Cosmetics created the makeup look to work with the sexy, minimalist style, with the inspiration described by the talented artist as “raw, refined textures embracing luxe femininity”. It was joyously wearable, and I got the low down on how to re-create the look at home. To start, M.A.C Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation was used as a base, with Cream Colour Base in Tint buffed onto the lower cheekbone.

Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder was then used to set. The eye look was created using Pro Longwear Paint Pots in Groundwork and Quite Natural, which were buffed on to the lid before Eye Kohl in Teddy was used along the waterline. Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Quite Natural was then applied underneath the eye, mixed with with Lipglass in Clear. Pro Longwear Brow Set in Brown Ebony was used to keep brows perfectly in line and lipstick in Retro was used with Lipmix in Deep Tone Nude applied over top. Nails were painted Studio Nail Lacquer in Skin with Studio Matte Overlacquer, a gentle neutral.

Last up, I absolutely loved what I saw of the makeup at Harman Grubiša. I wasn’t lucky enough to get a ticket to the new generation superstars’ show, but it seems that the dynamic design duo's show was a hit as was expected. Kiekie Stanners, Senior Artist, was once again given the job of creating the perfect makeup look to complement the label’s 'a little louche and a lot glam', super sexy charm.

photography: Olivia Hemus for M.A.C Cosmetics

Kiekie said that the makeup was inspired by “the elegance and ornateness of the Baroque period... Super luxurious with delicate touches on the face,” and for me it was a look to die for. Super wearable for most, in my humble opinion.

It can be re-created using a few M.A.C must-have products, starting with Strobe Cream applied straight to the skin with Cream Colour Base in Pearl as a base, followed by Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation and Cream Colour Base in Tint and Improper Copper to contour. The dramatic eye looks was crafted using Paint in Bamboom applied to the eyelids, before pigment in Tan was buffed over the lids with Rose Gold pigment (one of my favourites) used as a liner over the lash line. InstaCurl Lash completed the look.

Backstage at Knuefermann, NZFW 16

78 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

Lips were given the ultra glam treatment using a mix of Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Ms Diva with Lipstick in Sin, topped with Clear Lipglass. Last up, nails were slicked with M.A.C Studio Nail Lacquer in Sour Cherry. Just gorgeous and yep, totally wearable for right now.

PN (HELENE RAVLICH) F PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

LIVING, THINKING + BEING

SHAKESPEARE ORTHODONTICS - MEET MO Mo is a specialist orthodontist, who has set up Shakespeare Orthodontics after moving back to Auckland this year.

He grew up in both New Zealand and Australia, and qualified as a dentist at the University of Otago. Upon graduating, Mo joined his family in Sydney, where he worked in private practice alongside his father for a few years. Mo then returned with his wife to Dunedin, where he gained his specialist training - a Clinical Doctorate in Orthodontics from the University of Otago. He has continued to strive for the highest standards in care and has presented in multiple local and international conferences and meetings.

Mo and his team have an exceptional specialist orthodontic practice, providing treatment for children and adults. At Shakespeare Orthodontics, Mo uses the most up to date systems and offers early treatment, treatment with plates, as well as highly cosmetic treatment using ceramic braces, Invisalign (clear aligners), and Incognito (hidden braces).

Shakespeare Orthodontics’ philosophy is simple... affordable, convenient and honest treatment - with the highest level of quality.

If you or any of your family members are thinking about straightening their teeth... think Shakespeare Orthodontics.

PN Only minutes across the bridge and patient parking available. F

Shakespeare Orthodontics, 147 Shakespeare Road, Milford, T: 09 216 6888, www.mybraces.co.nz

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CLARE CALDWELL: THE ART OF LIVING

Healing the Nightmare, Freeing the Soul IN MY COLUMN THIS MONTH I AM INTERVIEWING SENIOR COUNSELLOR AND SECOND -time author Margaret M. Bowater, President of Dream Network Aotearoa-NZ. Her fabulous latest book 'Healing the Nightmare, Freeing the Soul' for which I did 26 simple line illustrations, was just recently published.

Why do you consider the study and understanding of our dreams to be such an important part of our healing and spiritual growth?

Because dreams give us direct access to our inner world of emotional and spiritual concerns. We dream every night about the current issues on our mind, such as trying to find new perspectives on our problems by linking them with relevant memories, usually in metaphor. Some dreams give warnings; most offer insight.

There seems to be an analogy within the pre-verbal terrains of art therapy here, especially when drawing a dream takes it to an even deeper place. Most of our dreams use visual imagery and story, with few actual words (blind people dream in other senses). Dreaming is actually more ancient in origin than verbal language; and actually all mammals dream. It is a natural feedback system from deeper layers of the brain, using a sensory method to express emotions and abstract thoughts.

But why a book about nightmares?

Because our culture undervalues how they can help us. Nightmares typically wake you up in a state of terror or horror, feeling helpless to prevent some dreaded event. The feelings are for real and reflect some aspect of your reality that needs your attention - parallel to pain in the physical body. Children’s nightmares indicate real fears and they need adult support to deal with them.

You document some very disturbing and recurring nightmares people have experienced. How do you work therapeutically with these without re-traumatising the person?

In most cases, after establishing trust, I ask the dreamer to focus on consciously creating a new ending to the dream-story, so that they reach enough internal safety to be able to relax and think about their situation. Post-trauma nightmares, however - usually caused by exposure to some form of violence - may require more help.

In the introduction, you say you don’t recommend reading the book in its entirety in one sitting. Can you explain?

Each of our nightmares arises from a situation of distress, some of them quite shocking, and may bring up disturbing memories in the readers' experience, which will need their own processing. We all endure painful experiences on the journey of life, some of which remain unresolved. Therefore, allow time to use some of the methods of self-healing I have demonstrated as you read through the book.

'Healing the Nightmare, Freeing the Soul' is published by Calico Publishing and is now available from main bookshops at $40, or can be ordered from www.calicopublishing.

PN co/book/healing-nightmare-freeing-soul. (CLARE CALDWELL) F

THIRD NEW ZEALAND BEARD & MOUSTACHE COMPETITION After two successful editions in 2014 and 2015, The Fellowship of the Beard New Zealand brings back to Auckland the one and only New Zealand Beard & Moustache Competition.

Get ready for a hairy night where you can find the craziest and most amazing facial hair characters from all over the country.

We are calling all New Zealand beard and moustache enthusiasts to join us, compete and win amazing prizes.

Competition will be held on Saturday 29 October from 4pm at the Kings Arms Tavern (59 France Street, Eden Terrace) This year the organisers will be helping the Mental Health Foundation, proceeds and donations will go straight to the charitable organization.

This year’s categories include Best Beard, Best Moustache, Whiskerina (girls wearing fake beards and moustaches) and Crowd Favourite.

A new category, 'Freestyle' (free design and styling of the beard/moustache, styling aids permitted), will be introduced. To honour this category, 2015 World Champs Runner-Up Freestyle Beard, Jeff Benglian, will be joining us straight from the United States. They are also expecting visitors from Australia, Morocco and other parts of the world. Every beard/moustache is welcome.

Extra information: • General admission $10 at the door or through our donation page (proceeds go to Mental Health Foundation and you will receive a raffle number).

• Competition entry: $15 to pay on the day or through our donation page (proceeds go to The Mental Health Foundation, includes general admission and you will receive a raffle number and a certificate).

• Whiskerina registration FREE with your general admission

Margaret can be contacted for further information on mbowater@clear.net.nz

• Live music, raffle, entertainment on the night

Clare (Claudie) Caldwell is a creative arts therapist who runs a small, private practice from home. She now runs a voluntary art and art therapy programme at Auckland City Mission. She is also a freelance artist.

• Facebook page www.facebook.com/nzbeardandmoustache • Donation page: https://give.everydayhero.com/nz/nz-beard-moustache-competition

Enquiries: T: 09 836 3618; M: 021 293 3171; E: clare.e.caldwell@gmail.com

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

JOHN APPLETON: ON HEALTH

Mycoplasma A potential missing link in many chronic illnesses. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has been in the news lately.

CFS is one of the biggest mysteries of modern medicine and is characterised by severe fatigue and other debilitating symptoms. Millions suffer from it but no cause has ever been pinpointed. My own research suggests that CFS can manifest as a downstream outcome of glandular fever that is not dealt with appropriately in the acute phase.

A recent New Zealand Herald article 'Is chronic fatigue linked to gut bacteria' sheds some light on the problem with scientists finding a link with gut bacteria and inflammatory agents in the blood. I wonder if the type of bacteria scientists might be looking for are mysterious 'stealth' organisms known as mycoplasma?

I am almost certain they would discover that mycoplasma can be major players in a wide range of diseases and conditions including chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia rheumatoid arthritis, other auto immune illnesses, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease and even cancer. Surprisingly, given their significance, most people and many doctors have little awareness of mycoplasma which have been called the stealthiest of all stealth microbes.

Mycoplasma are the smallest of all bacteria and the smallest self-replicating organisms known to science.

So tiny in fact that 4000 can fit inside one red blood cell. Only 10-15 average sized bacteria would fit inside a red blood cell. Apart from their tiny size, what sets

mycoplasma apart from other bacteria is that they don’t have a protective cell wall. This allows them to change their shape and fit into areas where other bacteria are not able to go. Due to the lack of a cell wall, mycoplasma are completely resistant to many types of antibiotics. There are over 200 known types of mycoplasma capable of infecting both plants and animals. At least 23 of these types can infect humans.

The most commonly known mycoplasma that can infect humans are: M.pneumoniae, M.fermentans, M.genitalium, M.synoviae, M.hominis and Ureaplasma.

Mycoplasma are parasitic and require a host for survival. They are known as ‘stealth’ microbes because they are very adept at manipulating and outmanoeuvring the host’s immune system. They are spread by biting insects, sexual contact, contaminated food and airborne droplets.

As to how mycoplasma can be linked with so many illnesses and conditions we need to understand that they are scavengers and to get what they need for survival they create inflammation in the body which breaks down tissues thus allowing them to gain access to the host’s resources of nutrients.

Mitochondria which generate the energy for our cells are prime targets for mycoplasma. They compromise mitochondrial integrity by robbing them of cholesterol lipids in the membrane, making the mitochondria

'leaky'. When mitochondria 'bleed' they cannot generate ATP energy. Function and nerve cells are the most sensitive to energy deprivation. This could be the key to understanding chronic fatigue syndrome.

Mycoplasma have also been strongly linked with rheumatoid arthritis specifically M.fermentans and also M.pneumoniae. Dr Thomas Brown an American rheumatologist dedicated 50 years of his career to research on rheumatoid arthritis as an infectious disease significantly influenced by mycoplasma. He had huge success treating patients with low doses of the antibiotic tetracycline. Dr Brown treated some 10,000 patients and in 80% of cases the disease was brought completely under control to the point where no further medication was needed.

It’s interesting to note that a similar protocol using low dose antibiotics has been successful with multiple sclerosis. This was featured in an Australian television documentary. To watch it type Catalyst ABC MS Cure into Google.

Testing for mycoplasma is a challenge and it can be very expensive because the test which is known as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is species specific thus many tests could be required. As I see it, if mycoplasma infections are suspected and symptoms have persisted in spite of other interventions, treatment with antibiotics from the tetracycline family could be discussed with a doctor. (JOHN APPLETON) F PN

APPLETON ASSOCIATES, T: 09 489 9362, john@johnappleton.co.nz, www.johnappleton.co.nz

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SARAH-JANE ATTIAS: HEALTHY LIVING I just gave birth to our baby girl and I seem to have quite a few girlfriends expecting babies. Over a recent catch-up we all confessed to the same feelings.

“It’s all been about everyone else - what about ‘me’ - when can I safely get back into physical excerise - will I ever get my body shape back?” Can you please shine a light on what to expect and how to move forward for ‘me’.

It is no surprise to hear you have a group of girlfriends having babies at this time; now is ‘baby boom’ month. If you do the maths - September is exactly nine months after warm summer holidays and a little ‘time out’ relaxing with your loved one. Also, New Zealand’s baby population is on a growth surge, overall there were 3796 more births compared with 2014.

Currently our osteopathic clinic is in a state of celebration, having treated mums, now it’s the babies turn for our free ‘new-born wellness check’. This is an opportunity to fine tune your baby with gentle hands-on treatment which can aid feeding and digestion, using predominately cranial work whether the birth was stressful or not. And, of course, mothers with lots of questions such as yours.

Over 20 years I have personally treated thousand’s of mums and babies and you are not alone in your concerns. I would like to offer a few insights and health tips to get you back on track - to ‘you’.

Physically - I do encourage new mothers to get their mobility, bounce and life-force back as soon as possible.

To enjoy and maximise movement and exercise I suggest osteopathic treatment to unravel and reset your body. The intensity and variety of exercise depends on how physically well you are. I recommend caution, build up a good foundation. This ensures the strength and health of your joints before overloading them with excessive exercise.

I often cross-refer new mums to a physio/pilates teacher with specific credentials for pre and post birth excercises.

for baby can achieve great results, enabling a more relaxed baby and ergo improved sleep patterns.

The golden rule, happy baby equals happy mum - if your baby settles easily, feeds keenly, sleeps soundly, all is well. If you need assistance, gentle hands-on osteopathic treatment

Create private time for you, baby and partner to ‘sync’. We often invite the famiy unit as a ‘whole’ into the treatment room.

Emotionally - it is understandable mums get a feeling of being ‘taken-over’. All focus is on their newborn, grandparents, husband, toddlers, the cat and dog ! Then there is your birthing team obstetrician, midwife, pregnancy yoga teacher, osteopath - on and on it goes.

Problems for new mothers to watch out for: • When breast feeding dehydration can occur. It is vital to note how much you are drinking and keep up your fluid intake. I also recommend a high-quality electrolyte.

• Tightness in your upper back and shoulders, stiff neck, headaches, extra weight from your milk , dropping your head forward and positioning your baby for a good latch can create a lot of strain. Remedy - stretch, get a good body massage, seek treatment.

• Be aware there is a spectrum of post natal depression - often felt as a sense of emptiness, sometimes more severe. Do seek support of your group and consult a professional.

• How was the baby born? Caesarian section; episiotomy or tearing of the pelvic floor. These incisions are cuts through muscle, the muscles will need time to heal and reconnect with the surrounding tissues. Do seek professional guidance the healing process will be more effective and discomfort reduced.

• If my client feels that their energy levels are simply not bouncing back and I can see no obvious reason why not, I do refer patients back to their GP for further investigation, including blood tests.

Osteopathy is there to help you. Every mother and child is unique. We look at the total you and advise specifically for your body type and fitness level that you wish to achieve.

As well as posture, self help tips, stretches and strengthening exercises. We can also treat you to alleviate aches and pains that are exaggerated post birth.

(SARAH-JANE ATTIAS) F PN Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only. If you have a specific health problem you should seek advice from an appropriate registered health care provider. Living Osteopathy is a Primary Health Care Provider registered with ACC and the OCNZ. Living Osteopathy does not accept any liability other than to its clients.

LIVING OSTEOPATHY, 29 Scanlan Street, T: 09 361 1147, www.livingosteopathy.co.nz

82 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

LIVING, THINKING + BEING NO NEED TO LIVE WITH PAIN Pain inhibits the enjoyment of life.

We learn to live with pain, either by accepting limited function and a lower quality of life, or by masking the symptoms with painkillers and anti-inflammatories.

Unfortunately, left untreated, chronic pain will affect your entire body. For example, what starts as a back strain can morph into pain in other areas, and can develop into depression, weight gain, sleep disorders, lower professional performance or social withdrawal.

This need not be the case for sufferers of chronic pain - be it an old injury, back pain, neck pain, migraine or anywhere else in the body. There’s a solution, locally. We help a range of people, from extreme athletes, to executives and stay at home mums and dads.

Whether you’ve suffered from pain for a week or a decade, EnergyNMotion clinic offers NeuroPhysics therapy programmes, which resolve pain fast. You’ll notice relief and results in as little as two days and have the ability to live pain free on a long-term basis, without using drugs. The therapy teaches you to use gentle postural cues to resolve pain and stress swiftly and effectively, and take control of your own body.

NeuroPhysics therapy is non-invasive. It doesn’t interfere with prescribed medication or other treatments.

You don’t need to be referred by your GP and there is an introductory offer. Come and see us, or call to talk about how we can help you.

Stop accepting chronic pain. Call 0800 YOURNEURO to book a consultation. F PN ENERGYNMOTION, Unit 5, 318 Richmond Road, T: 0800 YOURNEURO, greylynn@neurophysicstherapy.global

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LIVING, THINKING + BEING NEWS FROM AROHA HEALING...

Arvigo techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapies® are a strong and vital addition to the Aroha Healing menu of services and have supported so many on their fertility journeys to successful pregnancies as well as releasing abdominal and digestive tension and anxiety from the upper abdominal area.

Having trained as a licenced massage therapist, aesthetician and cosmetologist in 1994, Rosanna Marks, director of Aroha Healing, has long sought holistic techniques that she can integrate into her practice to meet client health-and-wellness needs. Arvigo abdominal massage is one technique that delivers benefits to the whole body system, therefore after attending the initial self-care workshop Rosanna knew this work would help her clients tremendously in areas of fertility, post-partum care and digestive and reproductive system issues for men and women. Rosanna travelled to New Hampshire in the United States in 2015 to become an Arvigo practitioner for abdominal and reproductive health and wellbeing and was certified by Rosita Arvigo in Belize, Central America in February 2016, and most recently she has travelled to Murwillumbah to gain certification in Arvigo pre-conception, pregnancy massage and post-partum care.

The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® encompass a holistic approach to health and wellness that integrates massage, pelvic steam baths, nutrition, herbal support and spiritual healing.

Arvigo bodywork is a non-invasive yet powerful technique based on traditional work passed down by the Maya people of Central America. By realigning organs that have become congested, skilled practitioners are able to gently restore the homeostasis (balance) and hemodynamics (good blood flow) to improve organ function.

By repositioning and massaging abdominal organs, Arvigo practitioners are able to address a number of common conditions for women, men and children involving reproductive, digestive and musculoskeletal problems, as well as positively affecting general wellness. When the organs are in place, life force flows without restraint, generating efficient organ function and permitting balanced hormonal secretions and assimilation, as well as proper elimination of toxins.

For Men • Early stages of prostate swelling • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) • Prostatitis (mild) • Impotence, erectile dysfunction (depending on cause) For Everyone • Headaches/migraines • Digestive disorders • Low energy • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) • Gastro oesophageal reflux (GERD) • Crohn's disease • Chronic constipation • Lower back ache • Chronic indigestion or heartburn • Gastritis • Restricted breathing due to tension By using the Arvigo techniques, the upper abdomen is given a deep, thorough massage to loosen the tight muscles around the stomach and the arteries that feed the digestive and eliminative organs with their vital blood supply. The diaphragm is gently massaged allowing relaxation of tight musculature. Rosanna is one of a handful of Arvigo practitioners currently practicing in New Zealand. To learn more about The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® contact the team at Aroha directly or check out the Aroha Healing website. (ROSANNA MARKS) F PN AROHA HEALING, 3 Maidstone Street, M: 0273 866 587 or T: 0800 MINDBODY, E: info@arohahealing.co.nz, www.arohahealing.co.nz

Individuals may hold emotional tension in tissues, further constricting the conduction of the five systems of flow - arterial, venous, nerve, chi and lymph - to organs. When the emotional component is released, the constriction that was impeding the flow is removed and health is restored to the area.

Rosita Arvigo, D.N., developed the techniques based on the traditional massage of the Maya people and her education and background as a naprapathic doctor. In 30 years of research, Arvigo has combined traditional massage techniques with modern knowledge of anatomy, physiology, homeostasis and hemodynamics to address the consequences of malposition or crowded organs in the pelvic region. Such crowding blocks the proper flow of lymph, blood and nerve connections.

Arvigo practitioners are often able to bring about relief from common health issues for which clients have unsuccessfully sought help from mainstream sources. These conditions range from digestive disorders like heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux, constipation and fertility challenges, as well as reproductive system disorders.

This list contains the most common symptoms that may be improved by incorporating this holistic modality into one's health care.

For Women • Displaced or prolapsed uterus and or bladder • Painful menstrual cycles and ovulation • Irregular menstrual cycles and ovulation • Bladder or yeast infections • Miscarriages, difficult pregnancies • Endometriosis • Peri menopause, menopausal symptoms • Infertility • PMS/depression with menstruation • Ovarian cysts • Uterine fibroids • Abnormal uterine bleeding • Enhances pregnancy, aids in labour and birthing • Pelvic congestion, pain

84 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

LIVIING, THINKING + BEING

Clothing Alterations

Alter Ego Roong T: 09 376 8689

M: 021 032 9128

182-4a Jervois Road, Herne Bay E: ra_cha29@yahoo.com “I get all my bits & pieces done by the smiling helpful Roong... and she’s got Eftpos = sorted...” MARTIN LEACH

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ANDREA FRIRES: HOLISTIC MEDICAL CENTRE

Spring cleanse The health of your liver can determine your weight, mood, energy levels and quality of sleep. Are you looking after this critical organ?

For many of us, spring is a chance to revive our health and wellbeing goals. The long winter months can lead to food and lifestyle choices that don’t always contribute to our good health (or our beach body). We may enter spring with the best intentions for our bodies and minds but can be unsure of what to do.

When it comes to bearing the brunt of winter indulgence, the liver probably carries the heaviest load in our body. It detoxifies daily toxins such as alcohol, caffeine, sugar, trans fats, refined foods, unnatural skin care products, medications and pain killers, regulates blood sugar and cholesterol levels, assists with hormone balance and supports our metabolism.

TOP FOODS FOR YOUR CLEANSE • Go green Cruciferous vegetables such as kale, broccoli, cabbage, watercress and brussel sprouts.

These contain compounds that assist the production of the liver’s detoxifying enzymes, improving the liver's capacity to deal with toxins.

• Spring into sulphur Cruciferous vegetables, eggs, onions, raw garlic, leeks and spring onion are all excellent sources of sulphur compounds.

• Bitter is better Helps to promote natural detoxification by the liver and reduce cravings for sweet foods. Also stimulates bile flow and the production of digestive enzymes which supports healthy digestion and nutrient absorption. Excellent bitter foods for a spring cleanse include rocket, endives, mustard leaf, dandelion greens, kale, turmeric and grapefruit.

Fortunately the liver has an incredible capacity to multitask.

However, if it’s working too hard in one area, it gets out of balance in another.

An overburdened liver can reveal itself in a number of different ways including; • Sleep and performance Feeling tired waking up during the night; foggy thinking and poor memory.

• Mood Irritability; short temper; low mood; feeling sluggish.

• Weight, appetite and physical appearance Weight gain, especially around midriff; poor appetite in the morning; sugar cravings or cravings for refined carbohydrate foods (pastries, cakes, pasta, bread); cellulite.

• Antioxidants assist liver function and protect it from the potentially damaging after effects of detoxification.

Fresh fruits and vegetables, and herbs and spices, provide an abundance of natural antioxidants. Some of the highest-rated antioxidant foods include goji berries, blueberries, raw dark chocolate, rosemary, thyme, turmeric. Catechins found in green tea are also potent antioxidants.

• Digestion Poor ability to digest fatty meals; nausea; bloating; burping; excessive flatulence.

• Get toned Liver-toning herbs such as dandelion root and milk thistle act as digestive bitters and also help to strengthen and tone the liver. Clinical studies have proven the ability of milk thistle to repair liver damage.

• Premenstrual symptoms, or other hormonal imbalances The best way to get your weight, moods, sleep, skin and energy back on track is to give your liver a little love! A spring cleanse is a wonderful way to reduce your liver’s workload and strengthen its working capacity.

There are many benefits of a cleanse but cleansing isn’t about depriving yourself. It’s an opportunity to indulge your body with wonderful nutrients, rid your body of unwanted toxins and give yourself the gift of renewed energy levels and a healthier body and mind.

(ANDREA FRIRES) F PN

Spring into summer - Four-week spring cleanse package The Holistic Medical Centre is excited to offer you a great deal on our four-week spring cleanse package - $210 includes detox guide and recipes, supported by visits to the naturopaths at the Holistic Medical Centre: •

One hour naturopathic initial consultation for a full personal health assessment

•

Two half-hour, follow-up naturopath consultations to guide you through your cleanse

•

Three body composition tests, which will assess your body health and composition [during / after] the cleanse OFFER VALID UNTIL DECEMBER 24, 2016

Andrea Frires is a qualified naturopath, nutritionist and medical herbalist from The Holistic Medical Centre, 48 Ponsonby Road. To make an appointment for a consultation with Andrea or any of the holistic GPs call T: 09 370 0650 or visit www.holisticmedicalcentre.co.nz for more information.

86 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

The Best of Natural & Conventional Medicine

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US The Holistic Medical Centre integrates conventional medicine with naturopathic health care and disciplines, including lifestyle and nutritional advice.

Our holistic GPs and Naturopaths work in collaboration and take the time to get to know you and understand all the factors that impact your wellbeing.

We perform comprehensive blood tests, review your nutrition and lifestyle to identify the underlying cause of any health issues then develop a plan to optimise your health.

To make and appointment with one of our Holistic GPs or our naturopath please call 09 370 0650.

OUR HOLISTIC G.Ps

Dr Nayana Shah MBBS, FRNZCGP, Dip Paeds, Dip Obs

OUR NATUROPATH

Dr Olivier Caunes

Doctor of General Medicine (PhD), Dip bio molecular science, Dip bio chemistry applied to endocrinology

Dr Daria Kelly

MBChB, Postgraduate Dip Paediatrics, BSc (Hons)

Andrea Frires 4XDOLĂ€HG QDWXURSDWK QXWULWLRQLVW DQG medical herbalist, BSc(Hons) in Human Sciences

“Moving to the Holistic Medical Centre has “My experience with the Holistic Medial Centre has been the best decision for our family. We were changed my life! From sound advice I have been constantly sick and always on antibiotics with our able to get my health on track and I’ve been very previous doctors. Since moving we have all been much more mindful of taking care of myself and in better health, have hardly touched antibiotics taking a preventative approach to my health�. and feel empowered to take control of our own Vicki, August 2016 health. I fully recommend the Holistic Medical Centre to everyone.�

Cathy, August 2016 (09) 370 0650 reception@holisticmedicalcentre.co.nz 46-48 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland 1011 Hours: Monday – Friday 8.00am – 5.30pm

holisticmedicalcentre.co.nz /holisticmedicalcentrenz

CARING PROFESSIONAL Matt Sumner - Accent Your Dentists “I'm a happily married father of three, eldest daughter Gabby (13), and identical twin boys Ben and Josh (12). So my wife Kimberly and I are about to embark on a house full of teenagers soon.

"It's one of the reasons we've recently sold our house. We are moving into something with a bit more space that's a couple of minutes walk to the practice in Three Lamps.

Also, I love working in my garden and the new house definitely needs some work and I'm excited about the new project!

"I've been a dentist for nearly 25 years, so there aren't many things that throw me anymore. I've seen about all there is to see when it comes to teeth and the problems people can have with them. So my focus in the practice isn't on the challenges involved in providing treatment for people because that's not something I find too hard anymore.

"My focus - and what I love about my job - is more on getting to know the people themselves. Ponsonby has a really great community made up of a diverse group of people and, having been up at Accent One for 13 years, I feel like a bit of a fixture in our vibrant and eclectic community.

"Modern dentistry is in a massive state of constant change and this is very exciting for the profession. Dentists and dental companies are all working very hard to make things better for our patients. These technological advances and changes to treatment approaches require constant upskilling. Choosing what to invest time and money into in this smorgasbord of options is probably the most challenging aspect of the profession.

It's a great problem to have!

"One thing I hear all the time from my new patients about what I do differently is that I take the time to get to know my patients and discuss their treatment needs in ways they understand. There is often more than one solution to any one issue so I try to make the costs, time and advantages and disadvantages of all these options really clear.

"A recent case of this was where a middle aged patient, Bill, had seen another dentist who had told him about some treatment Bill needed. It wasn't that the treatment suggested was wrong but it wasn't the only way to fix the issue. After spending quite some time with the patient we worked out an option that worked for him and his budget.

Incidentally Bill wasn't after a cheaper option; it was that he wanted to be more involved in the decision-making process. In the end he chose the more expensive, more durable solution. Interestingly, I find well-informed people often make really good decisions about their dental treatment if everything is discussed with them in a way they understand.

"When I'm not in the practice, I like to be cooking or in the garden. I find both these things calming and restorative.

"My thinking when I see somebody for the first time holds absolutely no judgement. We are simply starting at that point together, so that whatever the person chooses to do after that, once they have all the information, is entirely up to them and I'm happy to support whatever decision they make.” - as told to Ponsonby News. F PN ACCENT YOUR DENTISTS, 332 Ponsonby Road (Three Lamps), T: 09 376 4374, www.accentdentists.co.nz

FABRICATE - A NEW LOCALLY PRODUCED MAGAZINE Once upon a time in a Herne Bay garden, visitors to alterknitives designer yarn salon were treated to an array of the worlds finest knitting yarns.

A trip to Cait McLennan Whyte’s studio was a special shopping experience for knitters who appreciated quality.

But Cait’s own interest in textiles is much broader than knitting so she has moved on to a bigger and more ambitious project.

Last month she launched Fabricate Magazine, a textile craft arts quarterly that showcases the work of artisans and artists who are pushing the boundaries of the textile medium or conserving traditional skills at risk of being lost in the virtual world. Connecting makers, collectors and lovers of all things textile, Cait hopes to encourage the appreciation of expertise in the textile arts and elevate the traditional craft forms to their deserved place as cultural artefact. She has been awe-inspired by the form and range of work being produced around the country by an extraordinarily talented body of makers who cross-stitch, weave, felt, embroider, knit, crochet and express themselves with textile. And believe it or not - they are not all grannys.

Available by subscription from fabricate@ihug.co.nz or look for it at local stockists. F PN

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

LIVIING, THINKING + BEING The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

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BILLY HARRIS: KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY

Brittany is out and about at Western Springs College “I don’t want to live in the kind of world where we don’t look out for each other. Not just the people who are close to us, but anybody who needs a helping hand. I can’t change the way anybody else thinks or what they choose to do, but I can do my bit.”

These are the words of Canadian writer Charles de Lint, and they are perfectly apt for Western Springs College student Brittany Smith.

While most teenagers are busy trying to get their own lives in order, Brittany is “doing her bit” by running an LGBT+ group. LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bi, transsexual, and the + is for those who identify themselves in some other way). So many and varied are the different terms people use to identify themselves, they’ve called themselves A-Z to ensure they cover the lot. A-Z at WSC. Being involved in such a group is not something most little kids grow up aiming to do, but Brittany recognised the need for young people to have support and education during what can be, for some, a difficult time in their lives.

Brittany explains: “I come from a very open family, many of whom are LGBT+, so I felt like I was in a position to help people younger than myself. I saw what a great group they had going on at Takapuna High School, so I’ve trained as a PSSP (peer sexual support person) at school, which means I help educate students about things like attitudes and conduct specific to LGBT+ teens, things which they probably wouldn’t learn anywhere else." I certainly never learned anything like this at school.

“The group’s about 30 strong, and growing. We started in May, and we meet every Tuesday and work to create a safe space for students to come in and ask questions they can’t ask their parents or teachers, and get honest, educated answers. We have a ‘no teachers’ rule to protect the identity of students who may not be out. The teachers are very supportive, often contributing information or interesting articles.

“One thing missing from the LGBT+ community is knowledge of our history and the people who fought for the level of equality we have now. So we have guest speakers or students who do talks on historical gay figures or relevant issues. In future we’re hoping to have things like gay movie events and underage club nights, and they’ll be open to everyone.

“We also like to highlight positive things going on in the community to keep everyone’s spirits up.”

That’s more important than it sounds. For young people who may be struggling with their identify to have somewhere where they can talk, laugh and be themselves is crucial.

Might it even save lives? ”I wouldn’t go that far,” said Brittany, “but at the same time, you never know what people are going through. Suicide rates in gay teens are so high so I think every bit helps.

Even if someone becomes more comfortable with who they are, they may go on to help someone else and spread the positivity we try to project. Long term we want this to become a common thing in other schools.”

The project hasn’t been completely without opposition.

“Some teachers were concerned that we may be teaching some students things they weren't ready for, like safe sex and proper condom and dental dam use. But we’re really conscious of that and tell people what we're going to talk about. We do it all in an educational way.”

Clearly Brittany cares a great deal about her calling, but she has another passion - art.

Her school subjects are all art based - painting, photography, art history, English literature and classical studies. She hopes to carry that on to Elam Art School next year, and further down the track convert her love of art into a career as an artist, a teacher or in an art gallery.

“My favourite artist is Francis Bacon,” says Brittany. “The way he tries to represent the figure as the essence of the person rather than a realistic representation of form really inspires me and is similar to what I'm trying to do with my art.”

PN And, in a way, with her work with her LGBT+ friends. (BILLY HARRIS) F

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

SIDELINE WITH GEORGE BERRY

What to look forward to...

ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT OCTOBER IN AUCKLAND IS THE RETURN OF THE Breakers. And with a wee gap in their title-laden trophy cabinet, I suspect they’ll be fighting even harder to rectify things. Last year’s roster has had a few tweaks which include a very familiar face returning to the fold and also one or two names you may never have heard before.

After a season in the United States with SW Baptist University and some standout performances for his home New Zealand NBL side, the Nelson Giants, the near on two metre tall, 20-year-old Finn Delany has joined the side to play in the forward position.

Enough to go mainstream?

If you’ve read my columns over the past few years you’ll know I’m a huge fan of Paralympic sport.

If you happened to have watched any of the Rio Paralympic Games on DUKE or TV1 over the past month, you’ll probably have a clear idea why, and hopefully, now, you will have the same appreciation for the sport.

Whether it was our golden girl Sophie Pascoe swimming her heart out night after night to become New Zealand’s most decorated Paralympian, Liam Malone's blistering blade running brilliance on the track or his funny interviews off it, or Anna Grimaldi's glowing response to claiming an unexpected gold medal in the long jump, New Zealand’s first medal of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. All of those and plenty of others have shone a beaming light on disabled sport, the talented athletes and ambassadors New Zealand has and is producing.

The great thing about our athletes is that for many of them their inspiring stories stretch far further than the limits of the pool or athletics track. Some have had to overcome hurdles from a young age, others whose disability is a result of an accident or injury at a different time in their life. But what is evident with so many is they haven’t allowed their disability to define them nor have they let it hold them back.

Given the ground swell of public interest I’m interested to see if or how Paralympics New Zealand, its national subsidiaries and or the athletes themselves, can capitalise on the opportunities that no doubt lie ahead thanks to their exceptional success in Rio. And whether the public is keen to learn more about their stories away from the sporting arena and continue to embrace Paralympic sport outside of the major events. My hope PN is that in time Paralympic sport will be seen as mainstream. (GEORGE BERRY) F

At the other end of the age bracket, the now 35-year-old all-star Kirk Penney has returned to his childhood playground on a three-year deal which will more than likely see him see out his illustrious career in front of his family and friends. The Westlake old boy has been travelling the globe of late, adding stamps to his passport which now include games in United States NBA for the LA Clippers and Miami Heat as well as time across Europe, mainly Turkey, Germany, Spain, Israel and basketball-mad Lithuania as well as the past couple of seasons for the Illawarra Hawks in Australia.

Don’t expect the side's latest import to be troubling the score sheet too often. Instead, disrupting the opposition with his brick-wall style of basketball, American Akil Mitchell who towers at 2.09m plays in the power forward position and has just spent a year in the French top league following a season in the NBA’s development league.

Twenty-four-year old Mitchell’s presence on the scoreboard should be balanced by fellow import and good friend of Kirk Penney’s, American Ben Woodside, who will fill the point guard position vacated by the exit of crowd favourite Cedric Jackson. At 31 Woodside has racked up a serious resume by, like Penney, playing around the globe in places such as Slovenia, Georgia, Turkey, Spain and has already had a brief stint in the Australian NBL. AUCKLAND GETS A NEW NETBALL TEAM It kind of sounds like an oxymoron - by parting ways with the Australian and the ANZ championship, netball in New Zealand (in terms of global profile) has shrunk, but on the other hand under the new national competition Auckland will get a second team.

And their first signing was probably one of their most important. General Manager Tim Hamilton who has previously been CEO of New Zealand Basketball and more recently the Bay of Plenty Magic, will bring a wealth of experience to the off-court roster. With the interest levels in netball certainly wavering, the tough financial climate will no doubt only become harder with two franchises trying to tap into the one Auckland market.

From the court side of things, while other clubs have been beavering away confirming their roster for the upcoming season, the yet to be named franchise, to be based in South Auckland, has only so far named their coach - former Melbourne Vixens' coach Julia Hoornweg. (GEORGE BERRY) F PN

FORMER OLYMPIC SWIMMER TEACHES WATER CONFIDENCE When swim skills can be more of a splish and a splash than a smoothly executed stroke then, perhaps, it’s time to get in the pool at the Trent Bray Swim School.

And, who better to oversee a programme of classes for all ages and abilities than a former Olympic swimmer, Commonwealth Games and World Champs medallist.

Trent says the school’s swimming lessons have been a continual development over many, many years, focusing on correct techniques that make swimming fun and easy to grasp. “Swimming should be fun, and learning correct techniques from day one is not only enjoyable but helps them to learn faster, and become more confident and capable swimmers.

“We provide a safe environment with well-disciplined and structured classes to gain the best results for each swimmer,” he says. “By understanding their needs and personal abilities we can enhance their water confidence and technical skills.

“New Zealand’s drowning statistics are not good and every year children drown in backyard pools or at beaches and waterways. I therefore believe it is imperative in a country likes ours - blessed with wonderful beaches and rivers - that all youngsters should learn to swim and to swim properly.”

His team of instructors are highly experienced and constant training with Trent ensures the high standards continue through all lessons.

With term 4 classes set to begin on October 10, running through to December 22, there’s no time like the present to prepare your children for the upcoming summer.

Phone 09 845 4599 or pop in to one of their pools to get your kids started.” F PN TRENT BRAY SWIM SCHOOL, 2 Sandringham Road, Mt Eden, T: 09 845 4599 or 09 272 2029, www.tbss.co.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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SIDELINE WITH GEORGE BERRY

The right decision?

The recent announcement that as a result of the Warriors' continual disappointing performances season upon season, they are taking a stand and have cut Andrew McFadden from the top job and somehow enticed Stephen Kearney back to Mt Smart, this time as the head coach, has put me in a bit of a pickle - a conundrum if you will.

I’ve found myself unsure whether to get excited and join the chorus, shouting from the roof tops that the hardnosed foundation player had returned home or, as the saying goes ‘once bitten’, wondering if I should sit quietly in the corner and wait to see if he truly can live up to expectations, turn the club around and achieve the potential so many of us talk about. After all, it wasn’t that long ago I was championing the appointment of Sir John Kirwan as head coach at the perennial strugglers, the Blues, for almost the exact reasons, and look where that ended up.

The stark difference that has me leaning towards joining the chorus is that, aside from Kearney’s failed attempt at adding some normality to the poisoned chalice commonly known as Parramatta, right throughout his coaching career he’s consistently been involved in a winning culture.

Just like Kirwan, who was a star for both the franchise and the national team, the type of man a young player could look across the changing room at as he ingested his instructions before running out on to the park and could say: “He’s been there, and performed too, I can go out there and perform for the jersey, for the Blues and the wider Auckland region.” Kearny is of the same mould in Rugby League.

He’s also found a way to transfer some of the stability and success he’s enjoyed at both Melbourne and Brisbane into his role as head coach of the Kiwis, where he holds the record for the most test wins as the Kiwis' coach as well as his five victories over old rivals Australia. More than any other coach has achieved.

If you sat the two men’s CV's side by side there would be some eerie similarities; both standouts in their chosen positions, both hold records that stand to this day, and both played leading roles when their teams succeeded. Kirwan during the era when Auckland dominated the coveted Ranfurly Shield and NPC competitions (not to mention his success in the All Blacks) and Kearney at the Melbourne Storm when they won the NRL title in 1999, St Helens Super League victory in 2002 and Hulls Challenge Cup title in 2005.

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Also that he’s been happy to learn his trade from two of the best, firstly under Craig Bellamy with Melbourne Storm and then as assistant to Wayne Bennett at the Broncos.

Accompany that with the fact many of his Kiwi side has played for him before, with the core of the side made up from the Storm, Broncos and Warriors, what he can do with the Warriors on a full-time basis should prove to be a very interesting era at the club.

The other thing that might be a stroke of genius is his appointment of former team mate and Pt Chevalier club man Stacey Jones.

Good luck Stephen, I think you’re going to need it. (GEORGE BERRY) F PN

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

MEET THE TEACHER Fionna Hill; Founder of the Grey Lynn School Garden Club How did you come to teach others to garden?

In the Grey Lynn Farmers Market I was involved with teaching children things like Easter egg painting, growing microgreens, entering veggies in the Ponsonby News veggie and more. As a community gardener, children sometimes arrived with their parents to garden and loved being involved. My nieces came to stay and community gardens were always included in our holiday activities.

Where did you train?

I’m self taught, with influence from the organic gardeners who I met when I first joined Grey Lynn Community Gardens and also as a child when I absorbed lots from my parents who were great Kiwi gardeners, although I never helped them - just ate the produce.

I published a book about my first year at the community garden as a novice - ‘A Green Granny’s Garden, a Year of the Good Life in Grey Lynn’.

Next I wrote ‘How to Grow Microgreens, Nature’s Own Superfood’ which is now in five languages and many countries, and my latest book ‘How to Grow Edibles in Containers, Good Produce from Small Spaces’. Both of these books have a children’s chapter. I also did Northtec courses in horticulture and sustainable rural development.

photography: Elizabeth Goodall

What took you to the Grey Lynn School Garden Club?

At the community gardens I met a teacher, who brought a group of year two and three students from Grey Lynn Primary School to look at the organic edibles garden. I left the garden shed to greet them, showed the children around the gardens, listening to their questions, tasting greens and sharing my enthusiasm.

From this opportune moment developed a germ of an idea - we kept in touch and when the teacher asked if she could bring a group of children to ‘weed’ I invited the children to have a small dedicated plot of their own if they would come every week to tend it under my supervision.

What are your favourite things about teaching?

Children who enjoy what they are learning are great to be around. They are a ‘breath of fresh air’. I had children queuing waiting to be allocated their next job because I couldn’t keep up with them. I saw children eating the produce they grew and trying veggies that they had never eaten before. These children had also interest in more than veggies - they were fascinated by bugs, worms, mice, fungi, compost and seeds and pretended to hate smelly comfrey tea even though they willingly diluted it and watered it around plants and then helped to make another batch.

Fionna Hill How would other teachers describe you?

“Fionna showed an endless supply of energy and dedication married with her vast knowledge of organic gardening. On wet days she was always prepared with indoor activities related to the garden and the students were always eager to get to the sessions.

She would be an asset to any organisation promoting healthy eating and gardening.”

What were some highlights of your teaching experience?

Children often took some produce home - this endorsement via a parent says it all: “Catherine absolutely loved it! She took her carrots and mountain pawpaw to the teacher and showed the class. She wanted to bring her carrot home for dinner, but she waited until daddy was home so he could see it before she broke the green tops off.”

How would your students describe you?

I don’t know verbally, but the contagious enthusiasm from the children who enjoyed the sessions was rewarding. Handmade Christmas cards were plentiful. I heard that there were children waiting to be invited to the Friday sessions.

Auckland Council gave ‘the plot’ a grant of $300 and they bought smart metal frames and stakes and some cloches.

If you could wave a magic wand in your 'classroom'...

I’d like to have more volunteers to help during class time.

Some adult volunteers came regularly to help out.

Five tips for mums and dads who would like their children to learn to garden - or who would like to learn themselves

What was a low point of your time teaching gardening?

Sadly, I closed the Grey Lynn School Garden Club's plot when it was about to be unnecessarily demolished and replaced with raised beds made from H4 timber which has been treated with, among other things - arsenic. Not a good spot for children to garden or eat the produce. The Bio-Gro Standards which OFNZ (Organic Farm NZ) uses restricts the use of H4-treated timber in organic systems. Organic growers and viticulturalists are encouraged to find alternatives to the use of chromium/copper/arsenic treated wood.

There are many safer alternatives.

My friend Guy Howat said it all - "Well, re the arsenic, literature or not, young kids should not be exposed to even the slightest risk re the food chain. Also it's about the role modelling we pass to a future generation, a better tomorrow comes from raising awareness for young kids and having integrity and standing for what we believe in. There is a huge legacy component here and that is really important for little kids; mentorship and integrity of the highest order."

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

1. Community gardening is a good way to start.

2. Choose easy-to-grow plants at first so that you’re set up for success early on.

3. Parents can usually take children along to community gardens ‘for the ride’ and they can learn together.

4. Herbs in pots at home are a good start. They don’t take much effort - a bit of soil, lots of sunlight and watering. They provide rich flavour for families’ meals.

5. Microgreens are good to grow from seed as they produce edible, healthy shoots quickly - no opportunity to give up. F PN FIONNA HILL www.fionnahill.com DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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PONSONBY PEOPLE + THEIR PETS

Judi Lambourne, Cuzzy and Bro “We'd talked as a family for a couple of years - much more off than on - about getting a dog. We are a small family of three and we thought it'd be pleasurable and good for us all.

"One day I was around at a school family's farm and their English cocker spaniel mum had seven tiny pups, five golden and two jet black. There'd be an awake one trying to crawl over its sleeping siblings so I'd pick that one up and put it on my lap. Omg, the mama feelings it brought out in me...

"The next day Grace brought the pups to school to show the kids. A little golden ball of cuteness crawled into my son Larry's lap and went to sleep. Larry knew that pup had chosen him and that was that. Larry's teacher piped up, "Why not get two?" Geez, the gold and the black looked so striking together after all....

"Another visit to the farm sealed the deal. Grace was a tough negotiator, $2000 for two: not bad earnings for a ten-year-old with five more pups to sell! We visited them once more and tried out some names. When my dad was ten years old he got a cocker spaniel he called Chum. I thought Bro sounded right for our black pup. And then it was obvious that the golden one be called Cuzzy. Nice.

"I'd always intended to get a poodle mix because of my allergies; I was worried these critters would stir them up but I had to wing it. I used to get asthma and was using a preventative Symbicort inhaler and Ventolin sometimes, but - call it a miracle I don't know, maybe it is the positive emotions I gain from loving them? My asthma has all but disappeared since having them. And weirdly and luckily enough, they don't shed hair, so we need to get them haircuts.

"So Cuzzy and Bro arrived at our home just before Christmas, almost two years ago. They were full on at the beginning as pups are. It took us a while to get them toilet trained. But I guess it was having each other to snuggle with, they always slept through the night.

They sleep in the gym in two crates pushed together, and they travel in the car boot in a crate. They love travelling in the car. We assumed we would leave them at home in our fully fenced yard, but they didn't like that and they chewed on our house! So with us they come, no car should leave our house without them in it.

"A quirk of Bro's is to howl at sirens, and being in Freemans Bay there are plenty of them. Cuzzy is a team player so he joins in, noses pointed to the sky, they howl like wolves. Bro is our sensitive chap. He is prone to chewing, tissues from tissue boxes have been very appealing. He is doing much less eating what seem like non edible things, but it was only just this morning that I could hear him crunching away on something: it was the remote for the blinds. Luckily I caught him before he chewed into the battery. Two more tidbits on Bro: he carries a cuddly, and he likes to be a backpack.

"Cuzzy has been the accident-prone one. We didn't get insurance to begin with but we have it now. He got grass seeds in his armpit that had to be surgically removed, grass seeds or a bone splinter in his neck that swelled up like goiter, and on Onetangi Beach at Waiheke he ran into a fishing long line and had to get knocked out by the local vet to get a fish hook removed from his arm.

"So they take a lot of looking after, but would we be without them? No way. They add so much fun and love to our family. Our home backs onto Western Park which is a fabulous leash-free park. We have a bach on North Piha which is also dog friendly. The pups love the bush walks and beach, Milford to Takapuna Beach, Grey Lynn Park, Pt Erin…When we need to go away without them, Bethells Farmstay is their home away from home.

"The boys’ most favourite thing - even better than eating - is chasing birds. Especially swallows that tease them by flying low and in circles. Also, when the neighbors cats dare walk across our fence or into our yard, the pups get into a frenzy, it's all on. Fortunately cats climb.

PN "Cuzzy and Bro. The best dogs ever.” - as told to Julie Roulston. F

DOG OWNERS PLEASE TAKE CARE... INCREASE IN SLUG PELLET POISONINGS LEADS VETS TO ISSUE WARNING A spate of very sick dogs poisoned by slug pellets has led veterinary specialist referral hospital VSG in Carrington Road to issue a warning around the safe keeping of slug pellets and other harmful items that dogs might find appealing.

“We’ve had two dogs in in the last week that were extremely unwell,” says Dr Mark Robson, founding partner of Veterinary Specialist Group in Auckland. “It’s the time of year when people start to think about their gardens so this is a common occurrence unfortunately,” he says.

According to Dr Robson, dogs will roam and be attracted to poisons such as slug bait over a long distance. “Keeping your dog on your property is the only way to stay safe,” he admits “but the use of homemade or commercial dog-safe slug bait containers is a great way to decrease that risk.”

If you suspect your dog has ingested slug pellet bait, it is important you seek veterinary advice immediately. “Get to a vet clinic as fast as you possibly can,” Dr Robson suggests.

“Your dog may look shaky and restless and be acting really strangely,” he says. “This

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will then progress to uncontrollable whole-body tremors and then to seizures which will start within 20 - 90 minutes of the dog eating the bait.”

Most cases can usually be rescued. However, it is much harder once the dog starts to have fits. Serious cases may need a specialist 24-hour care facility such as the one Veterinary Specialist Group provides in order to recover completely.

“There are plenty of other common items that are very harmful to dogs,” says Dr Robson.

“Toxicities we see often are human medicines (especially painkillers), anti-freeze, marijuana and grapes and raisins which can cause an unpredictable kidney toxicity.

“Whatever happens, if you suspect your dog has ingested something toxic or poisonous, seek medical attention immediately,” he says. F PN PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

ANGELA BEER: PETS & PATS FOUNDER

PETS AND PATS LUXURY DOG DAYCARE AND FARMSTAYS Welcome to Dog Disneyland, a 20 acre farm, 18 minutes from Ponsonby, where your dog can do as much or as little as they like, all in the safety of their own private, gated, secure country estate. We pick up and drop off to your home/office.

Pricing from $40. Free $195 complimentary voucher for you to use for a non-obligation trial.

DAYCARE: We look after a small, discerning number of local families. We are like the private school of dog daycare. We have the largest and best facility in the country with the smallest numbers of dogs, the largest indoor and outdoor spaces and lots of one on one individual attention with our highly skilled staff. Kids can swim, play, unwind in our play paddocks, bushwalks, tennis courts, pool and cinema lounge.

FARMSTAYS: We only have eight VIP guests staying per night and they sleep inside our luxury farmhouse with all the creature comforts they enjoy at home. When looking for care for your beloved pet here are some questions I encourage parents to ask when interviewing potential places/services.

1. Ask how many dogs are in your facility/care?

2. Ask what is the staff to dog ratio and what qualifications do your staff have? So you can ensure your dog is getting quality one on one attention.

3. Ask what does my dog do in your care? Find out how much time is spent in cages or inside vs how much time exercising/playing, etc.

4. Ask what onsite care is available when my dog is with you. It’s not uncommon for some places when dogs are put to bed from 4pm to not have anyone living on site during the night. You should also ask how close is the nearest vet.

5. If using a dog walking service, ask where do you walk my dog, is it safe, how many dogs do you take out at a time, how long is my dog travelling in a vehicle for, what happens if there is an accident? Do you have insurance should anything happen to my dog or my home?

At Pets and Pats, we understand dogs are our best friends and cherished members of our family, they deserve nothing but the best. If you’d like to try the Pets and Pats experience, please call for your $195 free complimentary voucher. We look forward to welcoming you.

Dog HQ: Herne Bay; Country Estate: Dairy Flat. M: 021 539 699, angela@petsandpats.com facebook.com/petsandpats

@SPCA AND LOOKING FOR THEIR FOREVER HOME

Laid-back Lucy

Beautiful Barney

Wide-eyed Brienne

Good-looking Ember

Snowy white Tenzing

Handsome Ricky

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

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PONSONBY PEOPLE + THEIR PETS

DOG WALKING ADVENTURES WITH DOGS ‘N THE ‘BURBS

MAKE A BUCKET-LOAD OF DIFFERENCE FOR SPCA AUCKLAND

Whether your pup is in need of a good run or just some socialising with their peers, Dogs ‘n the ‘burbs has you covered.

Annual Street Appeal, 11, 12 and 13 November

It provides a professional, reliable, flexible and most importantly fun service for you and your dog(s). They believe regular exercise suited to the dog’s energy level is the key to your dog’s health and happiness.

“Our specialty service is a ‘Burbs Excursion,” says owner Lauren Brayshaw. “Rain, hail or shine, we’ll collect your furry friend and take them out with other socialised dogs to burn off energy and explore different beaches, bush walks, reserves and parks.

We vary their walks so that they get the most out of their time with us. We will then drop them home - tired, content and ready for a much needed nap!”

Their clients' dogs are all well cared for and well loved. But it can be hard to meet all of a dog’s needs when you have a busy lifestyle. They ensure your pooch has a great day out when you don’t have the time to do it yourself. And better yet they make best friends, can thrive in a pack environment and learn from their peers.

“Our success is based on our reputation of making sure every dog gets the same high quality service, and is well cared for. We give lots of feedback to our clients so you know your dog will be in safe hands.”

Contact D today to book your best mate in for a ‘Burbs excursion and you’ll come home PN to the happiest dog in town! F DOGS 'N THE 'BURBS, T: 022 314 9739, info@dogsntheburbs.co.nz

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A few hours of your time could make a bucketload of difference to animals throughout Auckland. November sees the return of SPCA Auckland's biggest fundraising event and they need your help!

The Annual Street Appeal is a great way to raise awareness of the SPCA in your community and an opportunity to have fun with your friends and family while supporting a great cause.

This year the SPCA is hoping to get 2000 bucket rattlers out onto the streets of Auckland to raise $200,000 to help care for Auckland’s unwanted and abused animals.

It's easy to register and you can volunteer for as little as two hours or as much as three days, in an area that is convenient for you.

They would love to have you rattling a bucket inside a mall, outside a grocery store, or on a busy street corner, so why not sign-up now?

You really would be making a bucket-load of difference. F PN To register, please visit www.spcaauckland.org.nz or call SPCA on T: 09 256 7312

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

BIGGER, BOLDER, BRIGHTER - WELTC HAS GOT A WHOLE LOT BETTER The newly renovated West End Lawn Tennis Club clubhouse was officially opened in July realising a fantastic new facility for all the community to enjoy.

The original clubhouse has been there since the club started in 1932 and was desperately in need of renovating to recognise the huge growth in the area. This $1.2 million build was completed on time and on budget due to a team of hard-working -volunteers working alongside the builders from Luxor Construction.

“What was amazing to see,” says club manager Caroline Harrow, “was the level of support the club got from the whole community. So many people helped in so many ways.

Our members never complained about operating out of Portacoms while the build was going on and everyone is so excited by the new clubhouse.”

As one of the very first tennis clubs in Auckland, it was important to members that the new clubhouse retained its heritage aesthetic. This has been achieved along with numerous improvements making it more usable for many different groups. The facility has 70% more open space and can house up to 130 people upstairs at one time. The architect, Brendan Rawson, from Archoffice, has managed to deliver much better use of space with a large common room downstairs for members, a huge viewing deck, new bathrooms and showers and large amounts of storage onsite and all within the same footprint.

Shale Chambers, Chair of the Waitemata Local Board along with the other board members all attended the clubhouse opening. He announced, to great cheers from the crowd, that the West End Cup is now recognised as one of the local board’s major events meaning this fiesta of tennis will be back for the community to enjoy in early December.

The new clubhouse will be a hive of activity as the West End Cup normally draws New Zealand’s top players alongside some international stars and is free for spectators to come and enjoy over the four days.

The new clubhouse facility is available for hire both by community groups meeting regularly and for ad hoc events. It has a manager onsite during the week and is licensed PN with a bar and kitchen available for use. F For more information, please look on the website www.westendtennisclub.co.nz or contact the club manager on westendtennisclub@xtra.co.nz

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PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS: METROLAW GOT A LEGAL QUESTION? ASK MICHAEL@METROLAW.CO.NZ

Email Michael with your question and include PONSONBY NEWS in the subject line. Michael Hemphill, a partner of the firm, will answer one topical question each month.

Q:

I’ve signed up to buy an apartment which is not due to settle until some time next year. I have heard, and read an article about the developer asking buyers for more money to settle. Can they do this? What will it mean if it happens to me?

A:

Your position is going to be determined mainly by the wording and status of your particular agreement.

Often in larger developments, there can be extensive further terms or entirely bespoke agreements that are designed to protect the developers. The agreement may be conditional on the vendor getting resource consent, making sufficient sales or arranging finance, to complete the development.

If the vendor/developer has not satisfied their conditions, then they could try to renegotiate the price with you by insisting that they (for instance) cannot satisfy their finance condition unless you pay an increased purchase price. As purchaser, it would then be up to you to decide whether you are willing to increase your purchase price. If you do not, you run the risk of the agreement being cancelled.

While this may be poor form from the developer, and probably bad for their reputation, if they are in a position to cancel the agreement then you may have to consider instead whether the apartment is still a good buy at the increased price. In a rising market it may well be.

The general terms of a standard agreement provide that the party responsible for the conditions (in this case, the vendor) is required to do all things necessary to satisfy the conditions. This means that the vendor must try to do everything that they can to satisfy their conditions. If the vendor cancels the agreement you might question whether they met their obligation to try to satisfy the conditions.

However, it is likely to be expensive difficult for you as a purchaser to try and dispute their cancellation on your own. It may only be worthwhile pursuing if there are a number of other buyers in the same position as you that could band together.

Each development contract is unique and the terms are specific to those parties only.

Obviously I would recommend that you obtain legal advice on your agreement so that you PN can be correctly advised on your position. (MICHAEL HEMPHILL) F Disclaimer - this article is for general information purposes only. If you have a legal problem you should seek advice from a lawyer. Metro Law does not accept any liability other than to its clients and then only when advice is sought on specific matters.

METRO LAW, Level 1, 169A Ponsonby Road, T: 09 929 0800, www.metrolaw.co.nz

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS A PRAGMATIC APPROACH TO ETHICAL INVESTMENT Socially responsible investing has hit the headlines over the past few weeks.

We have always been very keen on taking account of this in our investment strategies but it is not quite as easy as it seems. Investors do want to be rewarded for taking risk with their investments and generally they want to get a good return and invest ethically. Good investment practice includes diversifying. That is, investing in a lot of securities across different countries. The more securities, the greater the level of diversification. It would be nice if all of these companies engaged in activities that were ethical. In theory it would be reasonable to think that ethical companies should be more successful in the long term. That is, investing ethically should not only be a good thing to do it should also produce a good outcome.

However, there are a number of problems in implementing this. The first one is the definition of ethical. What is unethical to me might well be very acceptable to you. Even if it is possible to derive a definition of ethical, the job of selecting companies that demonstrate those characteristics takes a lot of time and effort. As a consequence of this, ethical funds are more expensive and that means in general they do not produce the market rate of return. It can become unmanageable to hold large numbers of securities in funds that screen for ethical considerations. So it becomes a game of trade-offs.

An approach that seems to make sense to us is selecting securities on the basis of three criteria: social, environmental and governance. That is, are their strategies sympathetic to the needs of people, as well as to the environment and are they

L to R: Richard Knight, Jocelyn Weatherall, Henry Ford and Phil Ashton

good leaders. For example, a company that recycles waste but has a bullying culture would not pass this test. We have discovered that there are some funds that hold large numbers of securities that use these strategies. A pragmatic approach to ethical investing seems certain to gain traction. For those investing today we can at least apply some filters that screen out the worst of the corporate offenders.

Call us or drop by. We would be only too happy to discuss ethical investing with you.

RUTHERFORD REDE LIMITED, T: 09 361 3670, www.rutherfordrede.co.nz Jocelyn jweatherall@rutherfordrede.co.nz, Phil pashton@rutherfordrede.co.nz, Henry hford@rutherfordrede.co.nz or Richard rknight@rutherfordrede.co.nz

Opinions are of a general nature and are not to be considered financial advice, specific advice is recommended to be sought before action is taken.

Disclosure Statement(s) relating to our advisers are available on request and free of charge.

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HELENE RAVLICH: LOCAL AGENCIES

The Sauce Shop’s Jo Bell The Sauce Shop’s website says that the Ponsonby-based agency is in the business of “adding flavour to food, lifestyle and design brands”, and founder Jo Bell is definitely adept in the area of spreading the word when it comes to what’s new, fresh and pretty damn exciting to boot.

PR and marketing specialists dedicated to growing brands in food and beverage, hospitality, lifestyle, design and entertainment, The Sauce Shop was a natural progression from Bell’s previous business, Switch PR, with a bold new look and reinvigorated focus.

Jo is a PR that I have had interaction with for well over 10 years, and her approach has always been super professional, kind and always one step ahead of the curve.

She tells me she first entered the world of public relations two decades ago, as a shiny new graduate fresh from AUT’s Communication Studies degree. As long as I’ve known her she has been operating from under her own umbrella, so it was a surprise when she told me that the life of a PR solo operator wasn’t always the plan. “Ha, no not at all,” she says, going on to explain “I had eight years in the consultancy and corporate world and then got made redundant right before Christmas one year. My friend asked if I could help do the PR for the upcoming Royal Easter Show and the work just kept coming in from there.” Her first company, Switch PR officially kicked off in 2004, and there was no looking back.

A few months ago she re-branded her business as The Sauce Shop, with the aforementioned new look and sharpened focus. Why a re-brand, and why now? “Well, we have always specialised in PR and marketing for food and beverage, hospitality, lifestyle, design and entertainment brands,” she tells me, “and the new look is just a more accurate reflection of what we do.”

I say that there are actually few hospo and FMCG-specialist agencies out there, and few who do it well. What would she say sets The Sauce Shop apart? “I would say finding a specialist who works in your area on a daily basis is key,” says Bell, “and I’ve been lucky enough to work on a lot of great eateries and bars and food and beverage brands.” She adds that being passionate about what you do is also essential. “It’s no accident that we work in these areas, it’s what we love and gets us out of bed in the morning.”

Talk turns to how to stay relevant in an ever-changing industry, something she has always seemed to do really well. “The industry has changed so much since we started,” she comments, “even in the just the past few years. Communicating with consumers today is about so much more than print ads and press releases, it’s about creating meaningful connections with buyers through their preferred forms of media.” The consummate PR professional adds that to stay alive, “seeking to inspire, inform, educate and/or entertain your customer is key, as is understanding the ever-evolving media landscape.”

The Sauce Shop's Jo Bell Also very involved in the creative side of the business, Jo tells me she never fails to get a real kick out of seeing the beautiful imagery The Sauce Shop helps create for their clients getting picked up by media.

Based in Ponsonby for many years now, Bell says she loves the neighbourhood and really can’t imagine living anywhere else. “Everything I need most in life is no more than a couple minutes’ away,” she says with a smile, “and there are so many great places to eat, drink and shop these days. I’m a sucker for an old villa, there are plenty of parks nearby for when I need some fresh air. Ponsonby and Herne Bay are also so close to the water and just a beautiful place to be on a sunny day.”

Last up, where does she see The Sauce Shop sitting in 10 years’ time, any plans for world domination? “To be honest I really don’t think that far ahead,” says Bell with a laugh, “it’s too scary thinking about how old I’ll be for starters!”

(HELENE RAVLICH) F PN www.sauceshop.co.nz

photography: Emma Boyd

photography: Anna Kidman

Some of her most recent client work has been helping launch the Good Home, a new gastropub in Mt Eden, and Soda Press Co drink syrups. She also works closely with interiors and homewares retailer Collected, Crown Range Cellar wines, EasiYo, Wendy’s and the Q Theatre. When asked to name a campaign that she is particularly proud of she immediately cites “a fundraising campaign for a very worthy cause, the Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition, for which we achieved about $1 million worth of media coverage.”

Antipasto platter at Bell's client Good Home in Mt Eden

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Bell's client Soda Press Co's blueberry and lime granita PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS: LOGAN GRANGER

What decides if you’re a New Zealand tax resident?

It can be unclear at times for people who are leaving New Zealand (NZ) to go overseas or are planning on moving to New Zealand, as to what makes them a tax resident of New Zealand.

If you are classed as a NZ tax resident chances are you are going to be taxed on your worldwide income in NZ. Nonresidents are normally only taxed on income earned in NZ. There are two main rules: 1. “Days” Test If you reside in NZ for more than 183 days in any 12-month period (half a year), you’re classed as NZ tax resident from your first day of arrival. These 183 days do not have to be all in one stay. To relinquish the status of a NZ tax resident, you need to be physically outside NZ for 325 days in a 12-month period.

2. “Permanent Place of Abode” Test The second test is not so black-and-white. The ‘Permanent Place of Abode test’, is defined by case law. This test overrides the Days test, so regardless of how many days you spend in NZ if you meet the criteria under this test you’re a considered a NZ tax resident. There are eight components to this test: • The availability of a dwelling in NZ - This is the most talked about part of the test. It’s less about owning a property in NZ and more about whether you could live there at short notice. Commissioner of Inland Revenue v Diamond 2015, was the first High Court judgment

on personal tax residency in NZ after the 1980 law changes. The Court of Appeal explicitly rejected the Commissioner’s argument that having a rental property 'available' to the taxpayer was sufficient to amount to having a permanent place of abode in NZ • Your intention regarding the length of your stay in NZ. • Economic ties - this relates to bank accounts, credit card and/or investments.

• Employment or Business - do you run a business in NZ, are you employed here or do you have employment to return to?

• Welfare Benefit - do you receive a benefit or superannuation from NZ? • Social and Family Ties - 'Family Ties' looks at where your family lives, and focuses on your immediate family being your partner and children. 'Social Ties' relate to costs that show a regular frequency such as gym and club subscriptions. The combination of both of these 'ties' build a picture of your intention to live in NZ. • Presence - where do you spend your time and actually ‘live’? If you spend one week a year in NZ, it’s

a relatively weak connection. However, a few months could be seen as a strong connection.

• Personal Property - do you have assets that are retained in NZ? If you still have a car, clothes and furniture in NZ you could be said to have a strong connection with NZ. In general, if you are a tax resident in two countries and if there is a double tax agreement between the countries, then you will be taxed in the country where you have a permanent place of abode. NZ has a network of 40 double tax agreements with its main trading partners, ranging from Mexico to the Philippines.

If you are considering moving overseas or have newly arrived in New Zealand, you should discuss your tax residence status with your tax advisor to ensure compliance with New Zealand tax law. We are more than happy to help PN you with this at JACAL. (LOGAN GRANGER) F Disclaimer - While all care has been take, Johnston Associates Chartered Accountants Ltd and its staff accept no liability for the content of this article; always see your professional advisor before taking any action that you are unsure about.

JOHNSTON ASSOCIATES, 202 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 361 6701, www.jacal.co.nz

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HOME RENOVATION & OUTDOOR LIVING

BRUSHWOOD FENCES BLEND BEAUTIFULLY IN GARDEN AREAS Traditional to tropical, contemporary to modern... For over 20 years, Brustics has been supplying Ponsonby locals with unique, natural solutions for fencing, shelter, shade and landscaping products that suit every style and budget.

Along with the supply and installation of its main product - the ‘New Zealand-iconic’ brushwood fence, Brustics also offers a great range of unique, affordable and versatile bamboo and eucalypt fencing, along with thatched tiles, gazebos and umbrellas, authentic European wood-fired pizza ovens, water garden equipment and water features and garden decor.

Produced from renewable resources, brushwood fences blend in beautifully in garden areas and natural surroundings and are incredibly durable, low maintenance and long lasting (up to 25 years). High sound-absorption qualities make them very suitable for new housing developments and infill housing, reducing traffic and general neighbourhood noise.

Brushwood fencing is also perfect for windy locations. It ‘breathes’ and therefore reduces the turbulence associated with a solid wall. The high density of the materials

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makes it fire-resistant and it is pool-compliant. An added bonus is that it discourages graffiti as taggers tend to stay away from them, since the brushwood is not a good medium for their ‘art’.

Bamboo and eucalyptus screens are ideal for both inside and outside applications and are suitable as a barrier screen for pool surrounds or cladding for fences, walls and sheds.

Bamboo and eucalypt can be installed straight or in a curved application, as a vertical screen or as overhead shade for a filtered light effect; perfect for that tropical-Pacifica look.

Protective coatings with various stains can be applied to match the colour themes you have in your home or garden. F PN To see the full Brustics range, visit its show home at 9 Arrenway Drive, Albany or go to www.brustics.co.nz

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

HOME RENOVATION & OUTDOOR LIVING

The Jetmaster Quadro is the ‘multi-tasker’ of outdoor wood fires

OUTDOOR COOKING AT ITS BEST The Fireplace is proud to boast they are the exclusive New Zealand distributors of leading international fireplace brands, Jetmaster, Gazco and Stovax.

Its stunning Mt Eden showroom features 37 various demonstration fireplaces able to be viewed with various examples of décor options that will inspire you to select from a range of contemporary frames and fascias showing all shapes and sizes of wood, gas, electric fireplaces, and, recently, there is a landscape shape Biofuel fire which requires no flue therefore no building permit.

A visit to the Fireplaces showroom is a must for anybody considering renovations to their home or building something new.

In addition to the interior showroom, The Fireplace has created a small, dedicated outdoor area with seven fires on display including a Jetmaster Quadro fire which is the ‘multi-tasker’ of outdoor wood fires. Modelled on the Jetmaster 1050, the Quadro fire creates an outstanding visual display while radiating warmth and life into a large outdoor area.

Cooking on the Quadro fire is a delight. It comes standard with a large removable barbecue plate, a smaller solid grill plate, a pizza oven which swings in and out and, to top it off, it comes with an optional large 7.8 litre Potjie pot which can be hung on a swivel arm.

The best and practical aspect about this fire is you can cook on hot coals, barbecue and cook pizza all at the same time with flexible variations to suit. This has to be outdoor cooking at its best; the Quadro is designed to accumulate minimal ash therefore there is no need to clear the ashes after regular usage.

The Fireplace offers an in-house design service and will carry out complementary local Auckland site visits (after visiting its showroom) to provide technical installation and design advice with an experienced technical manager taking care of any custom or bespoke architectural specifications. F PN THE FIREPLACE, 12 Tawari Street, Mt Eden, T: 09 623 6990, www.thefireplace.co.nz

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

HOME RENOVATION & OUTDOOR LIVING

@ DESIGN WAREHOUSE 1. Ibiza Collection - This stunning and sophisticated collection is made with premium a-grade teak and comes with Sunbrella® cushions.

2. Long Island Dining Set - Enjoy outdoor dining this summer with this gorgeous set. It features the Morgan dining chair, Hampton bench and the Long Island dining table.

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3. Sahara Relaxing Chair - Relax in style with this beautiful and contemporary wicker relaxing chair; the Sunbrella® cushions are included!

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DESIGN WAREHOUSE, 137/147 The Strand, Parnell, T: 09 377 7710, www.designwarehouse.co.nz

@ DAWSON & CO Available in New Zealand for the first time, from renowned Bosnia and Herzegovinian designer Salih Teskeredzic for &Co Studio is his collection of solid oak furniture including the Fawn sofa.

Salih describes the design process as "An exhilarating journey with a heart-warming outcome. We were looking to make a solid wooden collection that would surprisingly breathe lightness and transparency. Even though her body would be authentic and strong, her appearance had to be amazingly swift and her contours light as that of a fawn.”

The end result was love at first sight when they saw the Fawn sofa earlier this year and are extremely excited to be able to present it exclusively in their showrooms.

DAWSON & CO, 115 The Strand, Parnell and 38 Constellation Drive, North Shore, T: 09 476 1121, www.dawsonandco.nz The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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GARDENING WITH GRAHAM SHIEFF

Well, hasn’t the year flown by!

The exciting news is that October is the perfect month for getting serious about tidying up your garden, enriching the soil and planting.

There’s so much you can do right now including planting your favourite vegetable and flower seedlings, trees, shrubs and fruit trees.

I love miniature fruit trees for several reasons... they’re compact, so take up little space, produce excellent crops of quality fruit and require minimum maintenance.

Take advantage of perfect weather conditions and select and plant the fruit trees of your choice. All miniature fruit trees prefer rich, free-draining soil with the addition of a balanced fertiliser. A sun drenched garden or deck position is the ideal place to nurture your fruit trees. Ensure you keep your fruit trees adequately watered during the summer. You may wish to consider installing an irrigation system that can be operated manually or automatically.

Dwarf Nectarine 'Flavourzee' 'Flavourzee' is a great dwarf nectarine producing yellow-fleshed fruit with irresistible flavour. This variety is self fertile, although having a peach or nectarine in close proximity improves the crop. 'Flavourzee' prefers a sunny location with free-draining soil. The addition of peat moss will improve the structure of the soil, hasten growth and fruit production. The addition of sulphate of potash will enhance fruit quality and flavour.

Dwarf Apple 'Blush Babe' This miniature apple tree reaches just two metres in height and produces mouth watering crispy red fruit. 'Blush Babe' has a strong resistance to natural disease meaning little spraying is required and little or no pruning. This is an early ripening variety. If you have limited or no available garden space try growing 'Blush Babe' in a large container like a colourful glazed pot or half wine barrel. Make certain the container drains well by placing scoria or broken clay pot pieces in the base of the container. I recommend you use a balanced slow-release fertiliser to provide nutrients and achieve optimum results.

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Dwarf Peach 'Pixie' 'Pixie' is an excellent choice if you’re on the lookout for a miniature peach tree.

Its mature height is just 1.8m so it’s ideal for a confined space. The delicious fruit are red over orange in appearance and are firm with yellow flesh. 'Pixie' is an early ripening variety.

Dwarf Pear 'Garden Belle' A favourite amongst pear lovers this miniature pear tree reaches just 3m at maturity and produces tasty sweet fruit with a smooth skin. The fruit can be harvested in mid summer and the crop stores well. Attractive white blossom smothers the tree during spring. This variety should be planted near another pear or nashi for improved pollination. Plant in a sunny, well drained position and support well as the tree develops.

Poor Knights Lily 'Xeronema callistemon' A native of the Poor Knights Islands and Taranga Island off the Whangarei Coast, this unique plant was discovered in 1924.

Xeronema can be found growing on coastal cliffs, rocky outcrops and occasionally in the forest. If grown in the home garden it thrives if kept rootbound in a pot or container in the full sun. Its stunning bright red blooms appear early in spring and resemble the bottlebrush flower.

The flowers are pollinated by birds and butterflies. This species is classified as vulnerable as it grows naturally on only two islands which are protected by the New Zealand Government as native reserves. Plants grow from fresh falling seeds and even though they germinate easily it can take up to fifteen years for a plant to grow into a flowering size. Xeronema can often be found growing under the canopy of large pohutukawa where the soil is rich and fertile. They can also be found growing in the forks and branches of trees where the native parakeet, the kakariki, hollows out nests at the base of the plants. Geckos also pollinate xeronema flowers during the night.

HAPPY GARDENING! (GRAHAM SHIEFF) F PN M: 021 997 743, www.gardenhelp.co.nz

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

HOME RENOVATION & OUTDOOR LIVING

FOR A HEALTHIER AND BETTER SLEEP 100% New Zealand owned and operated by Bob and Brenda Flanagan, The Bed People stocks exclusively Sleepyhead, Design Mobel and Serta beds and mattresses.

All are made in New Zealand factories in Auckland and Christchurch providing jobs for over 400 Kiwis.

“We are serious about helping people find the best possible beds or mattresses to suit their particular needs and their budget,” says Bob, “We are proud to know what we are offering are ‘healthy’ beds and mattresses and are totally free of the chemicals that have been known to cause health concerns for some customers.”

Bob and Brenda started in the bedding retail business in 2007 buying Beds R Us Takapuna and 12 months later they opened a brand new store in Albany. From there, their business continued to grow and three years later they bought Beds R Us Newmarket then Beds R Us Wairau Park in Glenfield.

In 2013 they opened Beds R Us Botany at Botany Town Centre in Te Rakau Drive, now located at The Hub Botany.

Last year they opened Bob Beds Manukau at The Supa Centre in Manukau City giving them a total of seven stores in New Zealand.

With the rebrand from Bed R Us to The Bed People, Bob believes the new name better reflects them and their business. Bob explains, “It’s about people, both staff and customers. We are bedding and mattress retail specialists and we employ bedding people who are passionate about offering the very best beds and mattresses that will enhance a better and healthier sleep.

"We are serious about providing a better ‘no stress’ and ‘no pressure’ buying experience for customers in a relaxing and comfortable environment.”

The Bed People has a competent and trusted team who will deliver and set up the new bed and take your old bed away. Buy with peace of mind with Bob's 60 Day Comfort Guarantee, terms and conditions apply. F PN

Bob Flanagan - The Bed People

THE BED PEOPLE, 27 Crowhurst Street, Newmarket, T: 0800 262 723. To find their other store locations go to www.thebedpeople.co.nz

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HOME RENOVATION & OUTDOOR LIVING

NEW KATE SYLVESTER HOMEWARE COLLABORATION

@ CORSO DE FIORI 1. Round Mirror in Antique Brass - this large scaled round mirror in antique Brass includes a wide, textured frame. Two sizes available. Large (100x5x100cmh) $1150 Small (75x5x75cmh) $990.

A new collaboration between Kate Sylvester’s ‘naughty little sister’ Sylvester, and New York-based homeware brand Thing Industries has been released.

The homeware collection of four pieces - both witty and down-to-earth - was brought about by the 2013 reconnection of Kate Sylvester with New York-based New Zealander Bridie Picot, founder of Thing Industries. The original connection? During Picot’s brief time as a model in the late 90s, her first modelling job was for Kate Sylvester, shot on the dunes of Karekare beach.

2. Dalton Sofa - we love the sleek elongated lines of this Corso sofa design.

Order your bespoke version by mid-October for Christmas delivery. $6334 (other lengths and fabrics available - prices will vary).

THING INDUSTRIES X SYLVESTER www.katesylvester.com

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CORSO DE’ FIORI, The Foundation, 8 George Street, Newmarket, T: 09 307 9166 www.corso.co.nz

@ FREEDOM FURNITURE 1. Freedom Furniture Basquet Stool in navy, RRP$179 The Basquet stool is a chic, modern, lightweight piece that provides easy portability and a solution for every outdoor seating need.

2. Freedom Furniture Haast Occasional Chair in grey/white, RRP$499 The curved silhouette of the Haast occasional chair makes it the perfect spot to comfortably curl up and bask in the sun, while bringing stylish, design-focused flair to your outdoor space.

3. Freedom Furniture Origami Planter Large in white, RRP$44.95 Inspired by the crisp, sculptural shapes found in the art of Origami, this stunning textured planter ensures a curated, luxe look that will transform your plants into a work of art.

4. Freedom Furniture Havelock Outdoor Dining Table in concrete/natural, RRP$1899 The Havelock outdoor dining table brings industrial design and craftsmanship to outdoor living, as it pairs wooden beams with a concrete top built to withstand the elements for a sleek, urban look. www.freedomfurniture.co.nz

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HOME RENOVATION & OUTDOOR LIVING

MEET DAMON FEE: A LOCAL PAINTER Damon Fee is a Grey Lynn-based house painter. He is the director of AAA Painting Solutions which works around the greater Auckland area.

How did you become a painter?

My mother used to buy and renovate run-down villas and workmen’s cottages in the greater Ponsonby area. From the tender age of 10, she put me to work... so renovating, painting and decorating have always been a part of me. Eventually, it seemed sensible to make those tendencies official so I started my own company.

How long have you called the greater Ponsonby area home?

From the word go! I was born in Grey Lynn and then raised and schooled around Ponsonby. I was fortunate enough to grow up surrounded by the creative and ethnic mix of people that made Ponsonby legendary - back when the centre of the universe was The Gluepot. Now I find satisfaction in being able to see places I have painted around my neighbourhood.

Why is this time of year a good time to get some painting done?

Coming into the summer months, it is sensible to rejuvenate areas like roofs, decks and exteriors that have taken a beating over winter. A good paint job will protect a house by sealing it from the elements, which prevents rot and water damage.

Do you have any helpful advice?

When freshening up a house for either resale or to rent, use lighter, neutral colours. This creates a sense of space and allows any potential new residents to more easily imagine their decor in the house. Also, discuss options with your painters - our knowledge can help you save money and time. F PN AAA PAINTING SOLUTIONS, M: 021 201 6935, E: aaaps.damon@gmail.com, www.aucklandpainter.com

Damon Fee of AAA Painting Solutions

BRAIDS FOR BOOBS In one way or another, breast cancer has affected the lives of all of us.

Loxy’s are committed to helping and appreciating women and, in that spirit, this October will be proudly supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They’re asking you to join them!

Visit Loxy’s any time from 11am to 2pm on Sunday 30 October, when the ‘Braids For Boobs’ campaign will kick off. Loxy's invite you to drop in for some braids for $30, with all proceeds going to Breast Cancer Awareness.

Loxy’s ask that you think of your boobs and the boobs of your loved ones and pop in for some braids. Their message: “Please spread the word and let’s all band together for 'Braids for Boobs' this October - to help all of our sisters out there, and raise some funds for a truly deserving cause. Join the movement!” F PN LOXY’S www.instagram.com/loxysnz

110 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

HOME RENOVATION & OUTDOOR LIVING

NEO DESIGN KITCHENS

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NEO DESIGN, 96 Hillside Road, Glenfield, T: 09 443 4461, www.neodesign.co.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

1. A well-designed kitchen adds value to your home; 2. Crisp lines for Westmere bungalow; 3. Classic style matches Devonport villa

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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A TILE SPACE PROJECT Concrete-look bathroom designed by Sarina Foster featuring Cementia Grey 75 $109.50 per m2 and Carrara Polished Hexagon Mosaic $34 per sheet from Tile Space. Find your nearest store and explore this inspiring range at www.tiles.co.nz

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1. Midas Carra Pol Hexagon Mosaic make a statement on the shower wall; 2 and 3. Cementia Grey 75 is a large format tile used to make the space feel larger.

112 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

HOME RENOVATION & OUTDOOR LIVING

URBAN ORGANICS: GROWING VEGGIES NATURALLY Organic growing is something that we often aspire to, if only it weren’t so difficult.

However, this perception, that organics is harder and involves more work, is a misnomer provided that you work smarter!

Preparation is key: Plants grown in the right place, given enough space, and planted in healthy soil are far less likely to suffer from pests and diseases. Not sure of a plant’s growing requirements? When planting, check the labels or ask one of the Kings Plant Barn in-store experts.

Healthy soil: To many people soil is basically dirt. The static inert remains of worn away mountains. However, this is somewhat off the mark. Soil is actually a stunningly complex and vibrant ecosystem; the interface between life and death, the earth and the sky. It's full of minerals, the rotted down remains of life (humus), roots, fungi, billions of bacteria (a single teaspoon can contain more than a billion bacteria and yards of fungal strands), worms and insects. And just as the beneficial microbes in your gut help keep you healthy, those in the soil help your plants, providing nutrients and some protection from pest and diseases.

Clay soils: A large amount of Ponsonby and Grey Lynn is on clay soil. Clay soils are often maligned. However, if you improve them they can be great to grow in.

Top tips to improve clay soils: Aerate the soil (fork it). Mix in compost, sheep pellets, and Gypsum before planting to improve structure and add fertility. Feed plants and stimulate beneficial microbial activity by using natural fertilisers such as Nature’s Organic Fertiliser, Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster, and/or Worm Farm compost and liquid tea.

Other tips: • Grow companion plants - companion plants can be used to attract beneficial predators, repel pests, and act as a sacrificial crops. To start try: alyssum, chives,

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

borage (the leaves are great as a cucumber substitute in gin and tonics), marigolds, and nasturtiums.

• Rotate your crops - growing the same plants in the same spot increases the risk of diseases. This is particularly important when growing tomatoes and potatoes.

• Water deeply and regularly. Where possible avoid wetting the foliage of tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers and pumpkins when you water.

What's in season? Plant in full sun: tomatoes, basil, chillies, peppers, cucumbers, eggplants, courgettes and spinach. Veggies for part shade: rocket, parsley, coriander, lettuce and kale. F PN For more information ask an in-store expert and to find you nearest KINGS PLANT BARN store go to www.kings.co.nz

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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ABOUT FADING AND SUN DAMAGE WHILE IT IS TRUE THAT EXPOSURE TO ULTRAVIOLET (UV) light is the primary, and single largest contributing factor to fading and sun damage to home furnishings, timber flooring, carpets and interior surfaces, visible light (natural and electric), heat, humidity, age of fabric and the dyes used all play a part.

The four main components of fading and sun damage are: UV - ultra violet radiation - 40%, IR - infrared radiation heat - 25%, visible light - natural and electric - 25% and other miscellaneous components including dyes and humidity - 10%.

The only way to totally stop fading and sun damage is to have a situation of total darkness, and no heat, which is obviously not an option that any of us would entertain.

UV rays entering our homes can also cause damage to our family’s skin and unfortunately this is something that is often overlooked.

But, the rate of fading and sun damage can be significantly reduced. It is possible to totally cut the amount of (UV) ultra violet rays and significantly reduce the amount of (IR) infrared rays entering your home and doing damage.

Thermal Glass Coat will cut the UV by 99.6% - most traditional films will do this as well.

Additionally, Thermal Glass Coat will also massively reduce the damage done by the heat from the sun’s infrared rays, IR. Infrared rays are different from the UV rays but are often mistakenly assumed to be the same thing. F PN For more information call M: 0274 810 686 or check out the Thermal Glass Coat website www.thermalglasscoat.co.nz

PEACE OF MIND WITH A SMART HOME Keeping up with the Smart Home generation is now easier than ever before.

There’s no doubt that the hot topics for 2016 are based around home and lifestyle, security, protecting our homes from unwanted intruders, renovation, making our homes a safer place for our families, saving money, staying connected, not to mention keeping up with technology. So many decisions to make and so many choices.

For most home owners, home automation is something many of us would believe to be out of reach as systems can cost upwards of $10,000, and in most cases can only be introduced at the building stage of a project or having to re-wire most of your house.

Some systems can be rather daunting when you consider the cost and the level of disruption that will occur through invasive wiring, and for those who are renting it simply is not an option to entertain.

That daunting feeling can be eliminated when you consider the Trust Smart Home, Wireless Home Automation System. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3. The ability to manage your home’s lighting, electrical devices, motorized blinds and security from one main control system can make your household run safer, smoother, feel better, save energy and there is no rewiring required. The Trust Smart Home System is affordable for every budget and situation and is also ideal for people renting as DIY means install and take it with you when you move house.

For home owners it means adding value to your home for re-sale and enjoying the comfort day to day.

Trust has been a leading partner for European design and quality Home Automation and Digital Lifestyle Accessories, operating for more than 30 years in Europe and distributed for over 12 years in New Zealand though sole distributor Eurotec Ltd, based in Penrose, Auckland, and now Trust Smart Home will be available in Bunning’s Warehouse throughout the country.

With the Trust Smart Home system your possibilities for home automation are endless.

You can set various lighting moods in different rooms or for special occasions, create a variety of scheduled timers for lights and devices to turn on/off whether you are home or away (perfect for those holidays away); you can even control your home and monitor your Trust Alert security system at any time from anywhere in the world!

With most of the components being DIY you can personalise your home automation system to suit your requirements and budget. For more technical solutions an electrician is required to interface with your existing electrical wiring. However, it is still significantly PN less expensive than re-wiring your entire home. F For more information visit www.trustsmarthome.com, or contact EUROTEC T: 09 579 1990. You can find them on Facebook. /smarthomenz

114 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

Trust, turning a house into a smart home. e.

Wireless Home Automation Smart Home Technology can improve safety, security, convenience, comfort ĂŶĚ ĂĚĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ŶŽƚ ƚŽ ŵĞŶƟŽŶ ƉĞĂĐĞ ŽĨ ŵŝŶĚ ŝŶ ĂŶĚ ĂƌŽƵŶĚ LJŽƵƌ ŚŽŵĞ͘ Low cost wireless Trust products can be added into any home, no rewiring required!

Easy as 1,2,3! The Trust Smart Home system is divided into three simple steps.

Step one: ƐŬ LJŽƵƌƐĞůĨ ͚tŚĂƚ ĚŽ / ǁĂŶƚ ƚŽ ĐŽŶƚƌŽů͍͛ &ůŽŽƌ ůĂŵƉƐ͕ ĐĞŝůŝŶŐ ůŝŐŚƚƐ͕ ďůŝŶĚƐ͕ ŐĂƚĞƐ͕ ƐŚƵƩĞƌƐ Žƌ ĞůĞĐƚƌŝĐĂů ĚĞǀŝĐĞƐ͍ Step two: Choose a dƌĂŶƐŵŝƩĞƌ ‘How do I want to control?’ Via remote ĐŽŶƚƌŽů͕ ŵŽƟŽŶ ƐĞŶƐŽƌ͕ ǁĂůů ƐǁŝƚĐŚ͕ ǀŝĂ ƉƉ ǁŝƚŚ ^ŵĂƌƚ ƉŚŽŶĞ͍ Step Three: Ž LJŽƵ ƐŝŵƉůLJ ǁĂŶƚ ƚŽ ƚƵƌŶ ůŝŐŚƚƐ ŽŶͬŽī Žƌ Ěŝŵ͍ ŚŽŽƐĞ ƚŚĞ right Receiver ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ũŽď ǁŚĞƚŚĞƌ ŝƚ ďĞ Ă ƉůƵŐ ĂŶĚ ƉůĂLJ ŽƉƟŽŶ Žƌ ďƵŝůƚ ŝŶ͘

+ ANY TRANSMITTER

ICS-2000 Internet Control oll ^ƚĂƟŽŶ

Expand the system: The (ICS-2000) Internet control ƐƚĂƟŽŶ ŝƐ ƚŚĞ ,h ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƐLJƐƚĞŵ͘ The ICS allows remote access via ƚŚĞ &ƌĞĞ ƉƉ ŽŶ LJŽƵƌ ^ŵĂƌƚ ƉŚŽŶĞ or tablet; allowing you to control your Trust Smart Home system from ĂŶLJǁŚĞƌĞ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌůĚ͘ ĚĚŝƟŽŶĂů ƉƌŽĚƵĐƚƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ͘ sŝƐŝƚ www.trustsmarthome.com for ŵŽƌĞ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ͘

= ANY RECEIVER

CREATE YOUR OWN SYSTEM

Available October 2016 at

Voila! EŽǁ LJŽƵ ŚĂǀĞ ƚŚĞ ďĞŐŝŶŶŝŶŐƐ ŽĨ LJŽƵƌ ŽǁŶ ǁŝƌĞůĞƐƐ ƐLJƐƚĞŵ͘ zŽƵ ǁŝůů ĂůǁĂLJƐ ŶĞĞĚ Ăƚ ůĞĂƐƚ ϭ dƌĂŶƐŵŝƩĞƌ ĂŶĚ ϭ ZĞĐĞŝǀĞƌ ĨŽƌ ǁŝƌĞůĞƐƐ ĐŽŶƚƌŽů͕ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŵďŝŶĂƟŽŶƐ ĂƌĞ ĞŶĚůĞƐƐ͊ AFFORDABLE

EASY TO INSTALL

/SmartHomeNZ

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Ph: 09 579 1990

ENDLESS COMBINATIONS

HEIDI PADAIN: ENTERTAINMENT IN YOUR GARDEN I recently thought I was hearing the sound of a farmer whistling commands at his dog.

This would be impossible given where I live. Then, it finally dawned on me, the shining cuckoo (pipiwharauroa) has returned from its winter vacation.

To be fair, it was the sight of the grey warbler (riroriro) that helped prompt my memory. Both the shining cuckoo and the grey warbler seem to prefer to be deep in the bush, so most people will find that hearing them is more likely than actually seeing them. The warbler and the cuckoo have a rather interesting relationship with one another. Before I elaborate on this, here's something you should know.

Size/weight comparisons...

Shining cuckoo: Grey Warbler:

Length 16cm. Weight 23g (slightly smaller than a blackbird) Length 11cm. Weight 5.5 - 6.5g (much smaller than a sparrow)

Most cuckoos around the world are brood parasites. This means that they don't raise their own chicks.

Instead they lay their eggs in the nests of other birds that do the chick-rearing for them.

So, are you getting the picture yet? I have no photographs of this spectacle, but I have done some research, and this is what it looks like in my head.

Grey Warbler

The cuckoo has this amazing metallic green colouring on the upper plumage. It is reasonably well camouflaged whilst observing its prospective host tending the nest. Once the warbler is out of sight, the cuckoo perches (precariously no doubt) on the edge of the tiny pear-shaped nest, and drops off one egg.

Evolution has given the shining cuckoo egg an advantage. It hatches before the grey warbler eggs, and once hatched, the tiny chick pushes the remaining eggs and any chicks out of the nest.

The grey warblers don't seem to notice that their chick is quite a lot larger than them and doesn't look at all like a grey warbler. Uber chick has their undivided attention. For roughly four weeks the warblers deliver a constant supply of spiders and insects, even when the cuckoo has left the nest. I have seen them flitting around madly in the bush, so I wasn't at all surprised to find a rather tired looking warbler resting in my lounge on the windowsill.

Despite the elaborate deception, grey warblers are thriving. They somehow manage to raise a clutch of eggs before the shining cuckoos arrive. So, it's only the second batch that is sacrificed. Although not endangered, the shining cuckoo is thought to be in decline due to deforestation on their winter islands in New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago and the Solomon Islands. So there you have it. These wonderful shiny characters deserve PN a little help. (HEIDI PADAIN) F To see some of Heidi’s other photographic work go to www.flickr.com and type Heidi Padain into the search box or you can contact Heidi by email hidihi@xtra.co.nz

Shining Cuckoo

Grey Warbler

116 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

HOME RENOVATION & OUTDOOR LIVING

COOL POPS FOR A CAUSE

@ FORMA

Nineteen-year-old Aucklander Ruby Seeto has been designing and selling her annual charity tea towels since she was diagnosed with an extremely rare liver cancer at age nine.

1. Forma Bullet Lamp $995 2. Forma Hudson Chair $2280 + 5.9m fabric

Together with Wallace Cotton, she has raised more than $400,000 for Starship Foundation, giving back to the hospital that helped save her life.

3. Forma Cushions prices start at $80

Ruby’s latest tea towel, ‘Watermelon ice pops for Starship’ is on sale now at Wallace Cotton stores and online. Wallace Cotton is donating $6 from each tea towel (all the proceeds after costs) to the Starship Foundation.

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FORMA, 51-53 The Strand Parnell, T: 09 368 7694, www.forma.co.nz, www.facebook.com/formafurniturenz

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Funds raised from this year’s campaign will help establish an ovarian tissue cryopreservation banking protocol to benefit young cancer patients. This is the only means of preserving fertility for pre-pubertal girls who are at high risk of infertility related to cancer treatment.

Nice Blocks have also jumped on board to re-create Ruby’s ice block recipe and their Watermelon and Lime Nice Block for Starship will be on sale from Labour Weekend (24 October) at New World supermarkets and other selected retailers. F PN WALLACE COTTON, 1/138 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 6133, www.wallacecotton.com

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JERVOIS CORNER SHOP & WIN PROMOTION Janey Larson, pictured with her husband Rob was the lucky winner of the Jervois Corner Shop & Win competition organised

by The Ponsonby Business Association.

To be in to win you needed to shop at the participating stores from 25 August - 15 September.

The winner Janey Larson shopped for flowers for a sick friend at Enchanted Rose and won a hamper worth over $1700.

PREPARE FOR SUMMER @ COAST With the warmer weather finally approaching, spring is a great time to prepare for summer outdoor living.

COAST’s range of famous outdoor beanbags, cushions, soft luggage and textiles are all crafted in New Zealand, designed to last and made to be enjoyed.

Visit COAST and get some summer inspiration then relax a while in the courtyard.

Parking is available on Colin Saw Lane.

1. COAST Marine Bean XL $599 and Ottoman $399 in charcoal tweed Sunbrella.

Includes filling; 2. COAST Classic Canvas Weekender $399 and Clipper $485

The hamper was filled with beautiful items and vouchers from Servilles, Askew, Un Deux Trois, Seventysix Design, Smith & Western, Number 18, Groom, Enchanted Rose, Trove Design, Paper Room, Dorothy Butler Bookshop and The Cupboard.

SIXTY ‘INTELLECTUAL FASHION’ WORKS TO SHOW A collaborative project between the New Zealand Fashion Museum and Blikfang, the Intellectual Fashion Show 2016 is to open on 8 October and will be on at the Gus Fisher Gallery for one month to 5 November 2016.

The show addresses the power of clothing to give expression to our values, ideas and emotions - and its role as daily armour to face the world.

‘Dark, edgy and intellectual’ has become something of a mantra for New Zealand fashion designers since Marcus van Ackermann - the fashion director of Vogue Paris attended Australian Fashion Week in 1999 and noted a remarkable difference between New Zealand and Australia, observing that New Zealanders have a darker outlook, less show offy, more intellectual.

The Intellectual Fashion Show 2016 references a 1959 exhibition by artist June Black at the Architectural Centre Gallery in Wellington. Throughout her life, Black compiled a veritable wardrobe of metaphorical costumes, the likes of Costume to get onto one’s high horse, Costume to be worn over a heavy heart, Costume to extend exalted moments, and Costume to face the ultimate discomfit of the guillotine, the gallows or the dentist.

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The upcoming exhibition brings together more than 60 creative practitioners from a broad range of disciplines who have interpreted these costumes and include: Judy Darragh, Zambesi, Nom*D, Gregory O’Brien, Andrew McLeod, Dawei Zhang, Fran Allison, Karen Inderbitzen-Waller and Fiona Ralph, to name a few.

Curators say, “Evidently June Black’s costumes struck a cord and some 50 years later they remain as current and relevant as ever... What we wear matters; fashion can both dress the body and address the intellect. This holds true even today when the world is flooded with disposable fast fashion.”

A publication with photographs of the costumes by Fraser Chatham and Kingsize Studios will be launched with a special event at the exhibition on Saturday 22 October at 3pm. F PN THE INTELLECTUAL FASHION SHOW 2016 @ GUS FISHER GALLERY, 74 Shortland Street, Auckland, T: 09 923 6646 www.gusfishergallery.auckland.ac.nz

118 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

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COAST, 77 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 354 4552 www.coastnewzealand.com PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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HOME RENOVATION & OUTDOOR LIVING

DIGGER DAN TIPS OCTOBER 2016 October is a great a month to set things up in the garden for a long, hot summer.

Organics: grow and eat healthy • If you’re into growing healthy food or you want to have a go, now’s the time! Use an organic certified veggie mix to fill raised beds and planters, so that the soil in which your food is growing is chemical-free.

• And pick up some organic seedlings from your local garden centre or farmers’ markets - they’re timed to go in the garden now.

• Dan’s recommendation - always liquid fertilise newly planted seedlings with a quality liquid feed because it gives a good nutrient boost to the roots.

• Top of the list would be the summer vegetables that can be harvested in the months after Christmas. If you’ve got plenty of sun on your garden now, plant capsicum, chillies, zucchini and aubergines. Maybe try a cucumber from Labour Weekend on.

• Tomatoes are best planted with a stake beside that that is around 1.8m high.

Tomatoes are actually vines and they grow quickly.

• October is perfect lawn sowing time.

• The key to sowing a great lawn is preparation (spraying out or removing weeds) and using top quality lawn seed, starter fertiliser and lawn mix to sow the seed into. Plus, you need to irrigate the area daily. Simple. F PN

What can I plant now?

• Herbs that really save money are coriander and parsley, French tarragon and dill.

Wonderful flavours for summer, they don’t always last when bought from supermarkets and they’re so easy to grow at this time of the year.

All Central Landscapes yards have delivery trucks in various sizes to deliver any of their products direct to your home or your job! Central Landscapes Avondale have four delivery trucks on the road seven days a week.

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CENTRAL LANDSCAPES, 419 Rosebank Road, Avondale, T: 09 828 5533, www.centrallandscapes.co.nz

Central Landscapes Avondale promotes recycling - garden waste goes to Living Earth for composting; aged arborist wood chip is a cost effective mulch that reduces the need to water the garden

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

Healthier gardens, better food At Central Landscape and Garden Supplies Avondale we know you’re keen to grow fresh, healthy food.

We stock a wide range of fertilisers, composts and mulches so you can harvest quality vegetables from your garden. Plus get rid of your green waste at our drop-off facility on site.

Open Hours: Monday - Friday: 7am - 4.30pm, Saturday: 8am - 4pm, Sunday: 9am - 3pm www.centrallandscapes.co.nz • 09 828 5533 • 419 Rosebank Rd, Avondale, Auckland The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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MY FAVOURITE ROOM

Lucinda Kennedy Lucinda Kennedy is a public relations specialist and the director of EAST Agency.

Where do you live?

I live in an apartment in Grey Lynn with my husband and our dog, Richie McPaw. The building has three apartments in it, is 100 years old and has tons of character. We're told the building has a very interesting history, which makes me love it even more.

Are you a longtime greater Ponsonby resident?

I've lived in the greater Ponsonby area off and on for many years. I had lots of fun flatting on King Street in Grey Lynn and Dedwood Terrace in Saint Marys Bay in my early twenties. When I moved home from overseas two and a half years ago, I lived on Georgina Street in Freemans Bay before we came here.

What do you call this room?

My favourite room in our house is the upstairs living area slash dining room slash kitchen slash balcony.

What do you use it for?

We use the room to cook, eat, lounge, read, catch up on work and entertain. Whenever we have friends over, we end up crammed around the folding doors and spilling onto

the balcony on a mishmash of armchairs, dining chairs and outdoor chairs - we really need a couch up here.

Why is it your favourite room?

This room's high stud, timber floors and views out to the water make it so nice to be in and it's also super sunny and airy. It's where we do all of my favourite things - eating, drinking and having friends over.

What are your favourite things in the room?

My favourite thing in the room is definitely Richie, who is always up here lounging in the sun. I also love our vintage liquor cabinet, our record player and records, and all of the coffee table books and magazines that are scattered throughout the room.

We have some beautiful ceramics and art, and each piece has a bit of a story behind it.

My friend Meredith Reeves is one of New Zealand's most amazing up and coming artists and she drew a wonderful picture of my husband's grandfather. There are gorgeous, colourful prints my girlfriends gave me for my 30th birthday as well as this red Philippa Blair print that was a housewarming gift when we bought the place two years ago. F PN EAST AGENCY www.eastagency.co.nz

122 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

RICHARD WHITE - WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY An award-winning Harcourts real estate agent with seven years experience in the industry, Richard White strives to achieve outstanding results.

FIVE WAYS TO BUILD A BUTTERFLY GARDEN 1. Be sun smart. The first step to building a butterfly garden is to select a site with maximum daylight and protected from the wind. Create your garden next to trees, hedges or shrubs that will help protect it from those awful westerly winds.

2. Be the hostess with the mostess. Butterflies need their host plants to lay eggs and for the caterpillars to grow on. The common monarch butterfly feeds off milkweed (swan plants) while yellow and red admirals look for nettles.

3. Add more colour. Butterflies are pollinators like bees and so they need big, bright, bold plantings of flowers to provide nectar for energy. Some excellent plants for nectar are cleome, alyssum, bottlebrush, hebes, echium, rudbeckia, salvia and wallflowers.

He delivers excellent service using his expert knowledge of the marketplace and aims to attain the best price for his clients.

“Buying and selling property can be highly emotional," says Richard. “I am here to guide and support you through the entire process and help you exceed your expectations. This process is what makes my work so fulfilling.

“What my previous clients would say about me is that I am a professional man with an honest and open approach, together with very strong negotiation skills. When not working, I love spending time with my wife Maza and my two sons, Tyler and Jagger.”

5. Hydration is key. Near your host and nectar plants create a watering hole for the butterflies, wet sand or a small puddle will work. Or create a rock pool for them to perch on by placing some stones in a saucer. F PN

Testimonial: “We met Richard roughly 18 months ago while he was selling another property in St Marys Bay and he kept in touch. After showing us several homes in Herne and St Marys Bay, she managed to get a good idea of our requirements. We were staying at our daughter's home, getting rather restless, when Richard called us to say he had a property in St Marys Bay that he felt would suit us perfectly. This was an off-market sale so allowed us time to view on several occasions and really get a good feel for the home and location. Richard helped every step of the way, meeting us on site with builders, designers and architects, I always felt we could pick up the phone and ask Richard for his help at any time. Thanks for unearthing our lovely home, we are very grateful for your service and patience and would recommend you to our friends and family.”

(Simon and Christine Hart, Seymour Street, St Marys Bay) F PN

MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES OF NEW ZEALAND TRUST www.monarch.org.nz

RICHARD WHITE, M: 021 051 8404, www.richardwhite.co.nz

4. Ditch the pesticides. It’s extremely important that a butterfly garden is chemicalfree. Pesticides kill off butterflies as well as other insects. Instead try organic soil mix, companion planting and other stealthy ways to control pests and keep your garden pesticide-free.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

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MILLY NOLAN: DESIGNER GIFTS

Simplify for spring Let the new season be a reason to hit refresh. Simplify and declutter your space with this selection of stylish home organising accessories. From elegant storage solutions to list writing and notekeeping essentials, restore order to your home post-winter with effortless style.

1. Apple of My Eye Pegboard with Shelf - $90 Great for displaying and organising treasured items, this round pegboard with a blonde wood shelf is a fun addition to any room in the home.

2. General Eclectic Tall Canisters - $25 These tall canisters will give your kitchen the spring clean it needs. Mix and match with a range of colours and patterns to add depth to your space.

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3. Blacklist Studio C'est La Vie Notebook - $39 List-make and plan to your heart’s content with this sleek notebook featuring gold foil text and practical elastic closure.

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4. General Eclectic Wire Rectangle Basket Set - $85 Tidy up household belongings or kids toys with these hand-woven wire baskets that are both functional and stylish.

5. May Time Bamboo Ladder - $129 Mix things up with your interiors and display magazines, towels or throws on this stylish bamboo ladder, which will create an interesting focal point in any room.

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6. George & Willy Wall Mounted Paper Roller - $140 This simple yet elegant wall mounted paper roller aims to keep you organised and on-track with daily tasks. Perfect for the office, bedroom or kitchen.

7. House Doctor Stripes Laundry Bag - $50 Get your laundry organised with this playful storage basket that will brighten up even the least exciting corner of your home.

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8. General Eclectic Wooden Hooks - from $13 From school bags to coats and hats, these wooden wall hooks are a super versatile way to hang belongings neatly and add charm to your hallway or PN kids' room. (MILLY NOLAN) F All products available at www.mildredandco.com

124 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

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‘WICKED’ LATE NIGHT FUNDRAISER FOR ARHT October 29 will see the launch of ResQ: a wicked late-night entertainment event to raise funds for The Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust (ARHT).

Organised by some savvy staff at design practice Jasmax in Parnell, their mission is to raise $10,000 from the night - enough money for the ARHT to save two lives.

“Fundraising has never been so tasty or such good value,” say the Jasmax-based organisers. At $100 per ticket, ResQ starts at 7pm and includes dinner, drinks, a great selection of donated products available through either live or silent auctions, raffles, basketball shoots and hoops - and Boar & Blade are setting up shop to give some guests a swish new hairdo. To round out the night, bands Courtroom Brown and The White Chapel Jak will pluck some strings for entertainment.

The team from Jasmax, Olivia Owen, Sarah Leggett, Gwena Gilbert and Jayne Kersten, has a close connection to ARHT. The brother of one of the team members is a regular pilot for the Trust, so the call to join the fundraising effort was an easy decision to make.

The ARHT completes around 1000 missions a year, and staff are trained for the unpredictable, often being assigned jobs that will throw even the most headstrong of people. “It’s a great cause to get behind. If everyone gives a little, the trust can continue to provide its exceptional service. It’s about saving lives,” organiser Sarah Leggett said.

On 19 November, when the fundraising hype is over, the Jasmax team will be putting themselves into the shoes of the ARHT team. They are enduring a 15km high-intensity course in the Woodhill Forest, filled with a series of simulated incident zones for the Rescue Run. The course is designed by disaster relief and emergency service professionals including New Zealand Police, New Zealand Fire Service, Land Search PN & Rescue, Civil Defence & Defence Force to simulate real world rescue scenarios. F RESQ CHARITY EVENING www.eventbrite.com.au

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HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

NEW LOOK, IMPROVED FUELS, NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR MOBIL™ IN NEW ZEALAND Fuel Technology Synergy™ petrol and diesel help improve engine performance across all fuel grades. New product names help customers better differentiate fuel offerings. Brighter forecourt design and pay-at-the-pump technology enhance overall station experience. Mobil has launched the new Synergy family of fuels in New Zealand, representing the latest in global fuel technology.

Mobil is currently rolling out Synergy fuels to sites across the North Island with the new range of fuels coming to selected South Island service stations in 2017.

Mobil is renaming its fuel to help customers better differentiate its fuel offerings.

The Synergy fuels will be known as Supreme+ (98 RON), Supreme (95 RON), Extra Unleaded (91 RON) and Extra Diesel. With new additives, the fuels help improve engine performance and responsiveness.

As an integral part of the new Synergy program, Mobil service stations are receiving a new look to provide customers with an enhanced overall station experience. The image upgrade includes innovative design elements to communicate fuel offers more consistently and effectively to customers.

“Mobil’s scientists have developed the improved fuel formulation to provide a deeper clean that will help improve engine performance,” said Andrew McNaught, Lead Country Manager of Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited. “We are also investing to upgrade our forecourt image, so that customers can experience more attractive and brighter service stations, while continuing to enjoy the quality, service, value and convenience that we provide.

“Site enhancements will also see new technology available to customers on the forecourt, with the rollout of pay-at-the-pump facilities. Pay-at-the-pump appeals to today’s customers, who are increasingly looking for an easy and convenient fuel purchasing experience,” he said.

For more information about the Synergy fuel formulation, upgraded service stations and related promotional activities, please visit www.mobil.co.nz. F PN

AUCKLAND HOUSE PRICES INCREASE, BUT GROWTH RESTRAINED Auckland house prices continued to rise in August but signs the rate of increase is slowing, which first showed up in July, were still present.

“August’s price increase was restrained, for both the average price and the median price,” said Peter Thompson, Managing Director of Barfoot & Thompson.

“Sales numbers were down 9.2%, available properties up 6% and new listings remained at the same level.

“The slow-down is not so obvious when comparing August data with that for July, but when you look at the average for the previous three months it becomes more apparent.

“It has led to a small increase in the choice available for buyers.

“The average sales price in August was $906,560. While this was up 4.5% on that for July, it was up only 2.6% on the average price over the previous three months.

“The continued rise in prices with lower sales indicates that new regulations requiring investors to have greater equity than previously, which the trading banks enforced at the start of August, has had a limited impact on prices but may have affected sales numbers.

“Our data shows that those claiming the average price is on the verge of topping $1 million are over inflating where prices are heading.

“While prices continue to rise, for the past five months buyers have not been prepared to pay more than they believe is the market price.

“It all adds up to some heat coming out of the market.

“Sales numbers in August at 1003 were down 3% on those for July and 25.5% than in August last year.

“New listings in the month at 1706 were up 19.6% on those for July and 4% lower than in August last year.

“The same trend can be seen with the median price, which at $850,000 for August is up 1.2% on July’s, and up 2.5% for the average for the previous three months.

“Available properties at month end at 3151 were at their highest for five months, and up 4% on those at the end of July and up 6.6% on those for the same month last year.

“Current price increases are relatively modest compared with what has occurred in recent years.

“The real test of where prices are heading will come this month with the arrival of spring.

For the past three years, September’s average and median prices have exceeded those for August, with prices then continuing to increase to year end.

“The slowdown can also be seen when comparing August’s sales numbers, listings at month end and new listings with the average for these statistics for the previous three months.

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“During August 347 properties, representing 34.6% of properties sold for in excess of $1 million and 109 properties, representing 10.9% of all sales, sold for under PN $500,000.” F

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

New Fuel. New Look. New Journey.

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Here at Mobil we’ve made some improvements like re-imaged stations, new lighting and our best Synergy fuel ever for a cleaner, smoother running engine*. Come and see for yourself. We think you’ll like what’s changed. Learn more at mobil.co.nz

*Our new Synergy petrol and diesel offer greater detergency and better deposit clean-up than previous versions of Synergy fuels. Other fuel benefit claims are based on comparison to ordinary unadditised fuel. Actual benefits may vary depending on various factors including, without limitation, engine type, driving style, and fuel previously used. At selected sites only.

All World trademarks used are trademarks or registered trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation or one of its subsidiaries.

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UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Natasha Radonich - Natasha Radonich Hairdressing Natasha Radonich has been in the hairdressing industry for over 20 years and she can still say she loves her job.

Making people feel great about themselves is the highlight of her day. Natasha has always believed it keeping it simple and believable when it comes to hair: “I love the challenge of creating something beautiful that you wear every day."

Where do you live?

Ponsonby.

Do you have a partner? What do they do?

Joe Radonich, self employed: air conditioning and electrical.

How did you come to be a hairdresser?

Mum told me I wasn't allowed to leave school unless I had a job - I got one in a salon.

Do you have any children?

Yes, two boys, aged three and 16 months.

If you weren’t a hairdresser you’d be?

There is nothing else I want to be.

Do you have any pets?

No!

Which is your favourite Ponsonby cafe?

Breakfast at Bambina, hot chocolate at Salta.

How do you keep fit?

Walking and the odd Barre Pilates class.

Your favourite Ponsonby restaurant?

Blue Breeze Inn.

Your best friend would say of you…

I know she would say I'm committed and loyal.

Your favourite Ponsonby store?

Superette, Indie Home.

Your mother would say of you…

I’d hope she would say I'm organised and funny, but she would most likely say bossy.

And your favourite Ponsonby fashion label?

Juliette Hogan.

What are your virtues?

Committed, caring and loyal.

Share your best kept Ponsonby secret...

The little white door next to Flight Centre.

What are your vices?

Dark chocolate, handbags and a great Netflix series.

What's inspired you recently?

The view from dear friend’s little huts in Piha - truly breathtaking.

What’s your secret passion?

Waking up early before anyone else... the silence is bliss.

What would be your desert island distractions?

A Million Little Pieces, James Fray.

What's your secret talent?

Baking.

The house is on fire and your family is safe - what do you save?

Wedding album and jewellery box.

Where do you spend your holidays?

Orere Point and the South Island.

“I'd be lost without my...”

Two little boys, pawpaw cream and iPhone.

What's your perfect Sunday?

Sunny, not too hot, cafe and bike ride with the kids, or in the snow.

One thing you have learned about life is...

It’s far too short - live how you want to. F PN

What were you going to be when you grew up?

A dancer.

NATASHA RADONICH HAIRDRESSING 326a Ponsonby Road (Three Lamps), T: 09 361 5818, www.natasharadonich.com

128 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

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Luke Crockford Doing what I do to help people.

SOLD Exceptional Result!

Giving you a choice.

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lukecrockford.harcourts.co.nz 021 277 8565 Ponsonby DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016 129

HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

CHARACTER OFFICE SPACE IN CREATIVE HUB OF KINGSLAND Nestled in the creative hub of Kingsland lies an excellent opportunity to lease large, efficient, character office space in The Old Kiwi Bacon Factory.

Marketed by Nick Bernecker and Omri Yahel from CBRE New Zealand on behalf of Triumph Capital, a range of lease options are available from February.

Nick Bernecker says that The Old Kiwi Bacon Factory is a must-see for companies with between 20 and 80 staff. “With great natural light, exposed brick, polished concrete floors and exposed air conditioning, the building offers tenants refined, large character spaces with a hint of the past.”

317 New north Road - The Old Kiwi Bacon Building

Situated at 317 New North Road, the building provides the very best of amenity for staff and clients. Omri Yahel says “There is a range of eateries, bars and entertainment options just a few minutes stroll from the office, plus the on-site cafe can provide catering for meetings and functions.”

Auckland’s motorway network is easily accessible, and the area is well serviced by public transport with the Kingsland train station and regular bus routes nearby, making the commute to and from work that little bit more hassle free.

Offering creative environments, options range from 300sq m to 2000sq m starting at $320 per sq m. All options have excellent natural light with large windows, high stud exposed ceilings and air conditioning. Bernecker says that complementary space planning is available to assist new tenants in developing a bespoke workspace solution.

For more information regarding this opportunity or to request a viewing, please contact Nick Bernecker or Omri Yahel at CBRE on T: 09 355 3333. F PN

130 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

Character spaces with concrete finishing and exposed ceilings

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

REAL ESTATE UPDATE: KAREN SPIRES

Spring is traditionally an excellent time to take your property to the market Mornings are lighter, the air is fresher and the competition for a courtyard spot at our favourite cafe is heating up - yes, summer is on the way.

Although the colder months managed to put a freeze on market activity, with sale volumes in the Auckland region falling by 20% compared to July 2015, values have not shown the same regression, and competition has fed the long-awaited Auckland average house price reaching the $1 million mark.

As Ponsonby and her surrounds (Freemans Bay, St Marys Bay, Herne Bay, Westmere, Pt Chevalier and Grey Lynn) proudly outperform the wider Auckland market - reporting an average sale price of $1,560,000 in the June quarter, we do not expect that the lending restrictions which took effect September 1, will impact our local market adversely.

Although, it will be a month or so before the influence of the former is observable, the biggest we expect to be the uptake of new constructs. Purchasing new is of course exempt from the new lending restrictions, and with the psyche of property changing to encourage intensification, we anticipate welcoming more first-homers into our neighbourhoods through new apartments and developments.

With voting in the local elections behind us, we are fast approaching the business end of the calendar year. So in preparation for trips away, weekends with family, friends, and wedding season - it’s now an excellent time to capitalise on the spring clean momentum, and prepare for the social onslaught of summer.

Eagerly awaiting attention, your garden is one of the most rewarding places to start a spring-clean and with so many tasks at hand, often the most difficult is choosing what to do first. Start by removing winter weeds before the warmer weather encourages

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a growth spurt, remember those with deeper tap roots such an dandelions may take a little more effort to eliminate. Once your soil is prepped, perhaps look to plans fragrant roses, tropical frangipani’s and some perennial herbs - a perfect addition to summer salads.

Outside the home, investing in curb-appeal can make a magnificent difference - and ‘wow’ guests before they have even set foot in the door. Power-washing the home’s exterior and sidewalks can have the same effect as a fresh coat of paint, while a little tender lovin’ care for border plants and shrubbery will go a long way.

If you prefer to start from the inside out, it’s time to tackle the niggly little jobs we often avoid until the change of season. Thoroughly cleaning architraves, window sills, picture -frames and light fittings will leave you feeling satisfied.

Should you be considering a sale in the not too distant future, spring is traditionally an excellent time to take your property to the market. Buyers are renewing their interest after a winter hiatus, and we certainly notice open home attendance and enquiry increases as the temperatures rise.

Timing is everything, however, and with only 12 short weeks before Christmas, it is time to get moving on the tasks that will stand us in good stead for an easy transition to the PN busy holiday period. (KAREN SPIRES) F Karen Spires is a Bayleys Real Estate ‘Top Achiever’ - placing her sales data among the top five % of salespeople within the company.

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Entry to the Village 1/14 Peel Street, Westmere For Sale by Auction

Low on maintenance and big on smarts, this three bedroom bay villa boasts one premium West Lynn street pedigree and certainly holds its own with undeniable street appeal.

Beautifully maintained, 1/14 Peel will start you away with far more features than you would expect.

JOHN & NIC

John Wills & Nic Blackie 021 333 053 021 505 964

132 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

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Summer Hours 27 Murdoch Road, Grey Lynn For Sale by Auction

North facing and level to the lawn, this is a quintessential summer existence.

Singlets, jandals, bean bags and barbecues all round.

Hands down, the best summer on record.

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CUSTOM RESIDENTIAL LTD - Licensed REAA 2008

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STREET NAMES: THE HISTORICAL BOROUGH OF PONSONBY AND GREY LYNN

Hepburn Street Named after Major General Sir Francis Hepburn, born 1779, the Scotsman who commanded the Battalion of Guards at Waterloo in 1815.

So many streets in Auckland are named after brave men who took part in that famous battle. Hepburn was a descendant of James Hepburn who spent his fortune supporting the Stuart cause. He was noted for his association with, and his abduction of and marriage to Mary, Queen of Scots - which was her her last venture into connubial bliss.

All that must have been water under the bridge for Francis, who joined the British army and was appointed ensign in the 3rd footguards in 1798. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming lieutenant and captain four years later, then lieutenant-colonel and so on till finally he was a major-general in 1821.

In the meantime he was aide-de-camp to General W. P. Acland in Malta and Sicily but was laid up with fever and ophthalmia during the battle of Maida. He joined his battalion at Cadiz and his leg was shattered at the battle of Barossa during the Peninsula War. He refused to submit to amputation and when he recovered enough, he rejoined his battalion, even though his wound remained open, causing frequent and severe suffering during subsequent campaigns. At the end of 1813, he was ordered home to take command of his regiment in an expedition to Holland. He joined the Duke of Wellington’s army in 1815, and commanded his battalion at the Battles of Quatre Bras and Waterloo and along with other troops occupied Chateau Hugoumont which was was one of the first places where British and other allied forces faced Napoleon's army.

Later Hepburn and his troops were posted in the Chateau’s orchard, an important service, the credit of which was mistakenly given to a junior office. The error was explained officially but never made public so consequently Hepburn was deprived of the higher honours awarded to other senior officers. He was made C.B. which was The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, a British order of chivalry founded by George I. He also had fourth-class decorations of the Netherlands Lion, a Dutch order Chivalry founded

by William I and from Alexander Nevski, the Grand Prince of Kiev. He married an heiress in 1821 with whom he had two sons and a daughter. He died at Tunbridge Wells in 1835, aged 56 years.

Hepburn Street was named after the redoubtable Sir Francis Hepburn. The city also had the foresight to plant it with Platanus acerifolia, or plane trees that thankfully are on the Auckland Council’s list of Notable Trees and likely to remain there for succeeding generations to enjoy. In the Saturday edition of the Auckland Star, Auckland author and journalist, Jack Leigh wrote an extensive article about the rise and fall of Hepburn Street. It appeared 27 October, 1973 and, oh my gosh, how things have changed! He interviewed several people who had first-hand knowledge of Freemans Bay, some who probably are no longer alive.

Early pioneers viewed the street as a desirable place to live with its views of the harbour and proximity to the industries that were established in the young colony. The street flourished when several fine old homes were built that backed onto Western Park.

Number 17 which particularly exemplifies its best years has historical significance in that Captain Daldy of the Auckland Harbour Board Tug fame lived there and in later years when it was converted into flats some former tenants regaled Jack with tales of what they’d heard about the lifestyles enjoyed in those far-off days.

The 1866-67 Auckland Directory lists 29 residents living on the street. Among them was a well-sinker, a ginger beer manufacturer, a merchant, a stonemason and seven carpenters. By 1891 the the list had swelled to 41 residents and increased further to 79 in 1901.

The street now was populated in the main by what is termed, ‘the working class’. There were four merchants, six mariners, three wharfies, two engineers, a carter, a blacksmith, a chimney sweep and seven carpenters. Add engine drivers, railway employees and boiler makers to this mix. The ‘middle class’ was conspicuous by its absence and the ‘upper class’ had decamped to mansions in the eastern suburbs.

Now its status has changed big time. Any property that comes up for sale is ripe picking for developers and investors who have closed ordinary folk out of the market. And forget about diversity. Polynesians have gone and with them the street’s once special character.

PN (DEIRDRE ROELANTS) F

134 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

BIRD OF THE MONTH

FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT

The Whitehead

Auckland Folk Festival - January 2017

I’ve got a soft spot for the little whitehead, ever since I did a project back at Ponsonby Intermediate on the bird and how likely a translocation to Northcote would be.

The Auckland Folk Festival is New Zealand’s biggest folk festival, and one of the longest-standing festivals of its genre in the country.

I believed it was very possible but 10 years later nothing has happened so I guess no one else took the intermediate project very seriously! Whiteheads are tiny songbirds that live in noisy packs of up to eight members. They are easy to notice but hard to actually identify as they flit about and barely ever stay still for long. I spent a good portion of my years on Tiritiri Matangi attempting to get a single decent photo of a whitehead, much to no avail.

About to celebrate its 44th year in January 2017, the festival has many long-standing traditions and has featured some amazing and historic musicians since its 1974 inception.

Whiteheads are small with a short tail and bill and predictably they have a white head and underparts that slowly give way to brown and grey on their wings, tail and upperparts.

They are primarily insectivorous feeding on spiders, moths and caterpillars which they find on tree trunks, leaves and branches. They are very rarely found on the forest floor, preferring the canopy as their hunting habitat. The whitehead are the only North Island hosts for the long-tailed cuckoo, an important role that the migratory cuckoo relies on.

Once widespread and common around the North Island, the whitehead population has declined due to forest clearance and predation by introduced mammals. While they are mostly seen on the wing, flitting from tree to tree, they are actually reluctant fliers and won’t cross open ground. This means they are very vulnerable to habitat fragmentation as they aren’t capable of repopulating or replenishing areas once numbers drop.

They disappeared from Northland and many of the islands in the Hauraki Gulf in the late 1800s, surviving on Little Barrier and Kapiti Islands. These have acted as source populations and have fed and allowed translocations to many other mainland islands and offshore sanctuaries, like Tiritiri Matangi and Tawharanui Regional Park.

The whitehead is not a hole-nester, like its South Island relative, the yellowhead, and this could be one of the reasons that introduced pests haven’t been quite as devastating to the North Island species. Despite this, habitat destruction has resulted in the whitehead not being as widespread as it used to be. Mainland reserves, forests and sanctuaries are crucial to allow the whitehead back onto the mainland, as these provide source populations that can slowly disperse down natural corridors to new territories.

Maori believed whiteheads to have many roles as messengers of the gods, fortune tellers or seers. Live birds were caught and used in several ceremonial rites. They were considered tapu and one of the spirit guardians of the forest, alongside riflemen and other small perching birds. Whitehead were often used in a ritual performed over an infant, this would involve touching the head of a child with a live whitehead while reciting a karakia. The hope was that the mana of the gods would descend on the child and that their eyes would be open to the knowledge of their ancestors. The whitehead would then be released to symbolize that this mana and knowledge would be returned and was only PN borrowed. (FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT) F

Folk music has been alive in New Zealand since the late 1960s and early 1970s and it was the vision of a man named Frank Winter and a few other influential folk clubs that put the Auckland Folk Festival together. The festival moved around a couple of locations before finding its current home, the Kumeu Showgrounds in the early 90s. Multiple marquees are spread through the rolling paddocks interweaved with tents and many late-night jam sessions.

The festival has been managed and curated by a collection of folk clubs from around the Auckland region since its beginning. The Devonport and Titirangi Folk Clubs have been a part of the committee since the earliest days, and still remain. Multiple other clubs have been involved, including Frank Winter’s own club Poles Apart until its dissolution.

Currently the festival committee is made up of members of the previously mentioned, the Auckland Bluegrass and Old Time Country Music Club, the Gaidhealtachd, The City of Auckland Morris Dancers and Second Hand News. These clubs play a crucial part in the community of folk musicians around Auckland, hosting concerts and supporting new, young and hopeful folkies.

The festival runs every year over Auckland Anniversary Weekend in late January, and features showcase concerts from local and international artists, ceilidhs, dance workshops and many sessions and jams between campers. In recent years the committee have begun to explore new areas of folk music and alternative country, and have added new stages and opportunities for local musicians.

Traditional folk music and dance has always had a home at the Auckland Folk Festival and will always be found there. Morris dancers can always be found doing ‘random acts of morris’ around the grounds, and there are always local traditional sessions and singalongs throughout the weekend. One of the highlights of the festival for many is the late night Homebrew Session on the Saturday night where many folkies bring their brews to share and sing into the night.

The Martin Blackman Award celebrates young talent, while the Frank Winter Memorial Award is gifted to a family, or musician to support and further their musical career. The annual Tui Award for Best Folk Album is awarded in the Sunday night final concert, which features many of the main guests all performing in one killer concert.

The 2017 festival will feature more than 15 stunning local and international acts, plus workshops from each of the top acts. If getting involved is more your cup of tea there are numerous blackboard concert and ‘Come All-Ye’s’ to put your name down for, hosted by some of the personalities and influential members of the community. Come camp for the entire weekend or just come for the day. You’ll be sure to find someone to jam with, maybe stop by in the Pipi Pickers tent and jam bluegrass into the night, or follow the fiddles, flutes and pipes to the Irish and Scottish sessions.

All across October the line-up for the 2017 Auckland Folk Festival, 27-30 January, will be announced. We promise you will find some names you know and many you do not, but that’s the most exciting bit of the festival, discovering new music.

PN (FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT) F www.aucklandfolkfestival.co.nz www.facebook.com/aklfolkfest

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FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT

Auckland Choral’s October concert Auckland Choral is Auckland’s largest choir, and our only symphonic choir, with more than 120 active singing members.

It was established in 1855 and is New Zealand’s oldest arts organisation. I spoke with Music Director, Uwe Grodd, in 2015 about many of his own achievements and that of the Auckland Choral, especially the annual Christmas performance of Handel’s Messiah. It is believed that the choir holds the world record for the most consecutive performances of Messiah, since 1919 it has performed it without interruption.

Auckland Choral and our marvelous soloists through this musical journey of praise and celebration.”

It returns on Saturday 29 October to the Auckland Town Hall with another fantastic programme of music, featuring a trio of international solo vocalists. The choir will be joining forces with the full symphony orchestra, Pipers Sinfonia, to perform Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang or Hymn of Praise, his second symphony.

The Auckland Choral is continuing to prove itself as a major player in the arts scene of Auckland, putting on tremendous programmes made up of classic choral works as well as compositions from New Zealand’s own contemporary composers. As well as Mendelssohn, this concert will feature New Zealand composer Chris Artley’s O Magnum Mysterium for a cappella choir and Scottish James MacMillan’s A New Song for choir and organ. They will be opening the concert with J.S. Bach’s G Minor Fantasia and Fugue for organ performed by Dr John Wells.

This romantic and unique blend of symphony and cantata was first performed in 1840 and will be brought to life in the Town Hall by a 100-strong Auckland Choral alongside the Pipers Sinfonia. They will be joined by Swedish mezzo soprano Catrin Johnsson, Australian tenor Jaewoo Kim and our own soprano Anna Leese.

Wells is one of the most well-respected organists in the country. He has a long list of accolades, including as Organist to the University of Auckland and as the Auckland City Organist from 1998 to 2012. He played a key role in the rebuilding of the Town Hall organ and is a composer in his own right.

The combined resume of these three international soloists is phenomenal, with performances across stages worldwide in some of the most esteemed operatic works.

Maestro Grodd comments on this series, “Each work in this concert has its own unique flair and is exciting to perform next to the others. I look forward to showcasing

Catch all of this at the Auckland Town Hall on Saturday 29 October from 7.30pm.

(FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT) F PN

photography: J Bremner

Tickets can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.co.nz, www.aucklandchoral.com

Finn McLennan-Elliott has a Bachelor of Science Honours degree specialising in human geography at Auckland University. In his spare time, Finn plays clarinet and guitar in an orchestra and a folk music group. He is hosting ‘Folk at the Old Folks’ on the first Sunday of every month at the Auckland Old Folks Association Hall, an intimate afternoon concert of folk music.

136 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PERFORMING WITH ST MATTHEW’S CHAMBER ORCHESTRA Violinist Helene Pohl with Conductor Michael Joel 16 October, 2.30pm

Illustrious violinist Helene Pohl began violin at age four with the Suzuki method. A musical omnivore, she began piano study at nine and as a teenager added viola, clarinet and baritone saxophone (the latter in order to join the jazz band). At 17 she began tertiary study at the Musikhochschule Cologne, where her teacher was Franzjosef Maier, founder of the Collegium Aureum, and her chamber music coaches were members of the Amadeus Quartet. Her other key mentors include the Cleveland Quartet and Josef Gingold.

The Illustrious violinist Helene Pohl

ARTS + CULTURE SHOWING @ WHITESPACE Reg Mombassa: Exhibition and book launch 8 October - 6 November

The Landscapes of Reg Mombassa signed and numbered limited edition book and print.

Published by PQ Blackwell.

Artist Reg Mombassa (AKA Chris O'Doherty) bridges the disciplines of painting, design, music and poetry in his prolific and ubiquitous creative practice. Reg was born in Auckland and migrated to Australia with his family in 1969. Since 1975, Reg has exhibited his paintings, drawings, and prints at Watters Gallery in Darlinghurst. His artwork is included in many private and public collections, including the National Gallery of Australia and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

He has been commissioned to complete public projects and installations and, since 1986, worked closely with Mambo Graphics. His clothing and poster designs, with a bright and cartoonish quality and elements of religious, political and pop-culture themes, are widely recognisable and iconic. As well as his career as an artist and designer, Reg has also had a successful career as a musician. In 1976 he formed the rock band Mental as Anything with four other art students; he also performs with his brother Peter in the band Dog Trumpet.

Helene joined the New Zealand String Quartet as first violinist in February 1994. In 2014 she was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to music. She has performed concertos with many orchestras in New Zealand.

For this concert Helene Pohl is premiering Louise Webster’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra 'In hollowed bone I hear the seas roar' which was written especially for her by the Auckland-based composer. Helene is also performing Prokofiev’s second violin concerto, his last work written before moving back to the USSR in 1935, and premiered in Spain (the castanets in the third movement pay homage to Spanish folklore).

Conductor Michael Joel has conducted extensively throughout New Zealand and since relocating to London in early 2014 has freelanced at The Royal Opera House working with Placido Domingo and others. Michael is an accomplished violist and teacher and is the Musical Director of St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra.

St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra who will accompany Helene Pohl produces the kind of music that is magic; excellence is their only option. Their concerts play to full houses.

PN Make sure you get there early. F TICKETS: Door sales cash, adults $25, concessions $20, children under 12 free.

ST MATTHEW-IN-THE-CITY CHURCH corner Wellesley and Hobson Streets, www.smco.org.nz

Bob Kerr and Bing Dawe - Inland 11 October - 6 November Artists Bob Kerr and Bing Dawe both share a deep concern for the land, their work reflects on human intervention in the landscape. Bob Kerr was born in Wellington, and has a DipFA (Hons) from The University of Auckland. He has written and illustrated a number of children's books, receiving the Best First Children's Book Award in 1993 for The Optimist (1992). His paintings are held in private collections across New Zealand and overseas, with his best-known work appropriately appearing on the cover of Michael King's book The Penguin History of New Zealand (2003).

WHITESPACE, 12 Crummer Road, T: 09 361 6331, www.whitespace.co.nz

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ARTS + CULTURE @ GARNET STATION Roll Over Rocktober

Tiny Theatre Productions is unapologetically fond of intimate bonsai performance and invites you to experience the magical energy feedback loop that is live theatre. Feeling zapped? Then come to a show and get some energy back!

Great & Small, 13, 14, 15 October, 8pm and 16 October, 4pm, $25/$20 Great & Small is a cluster bomb of brilliant bites curated by Verity George. Monologues are raw, real, and to be relished. Two-handers are fun, a dance, a dalliance, a dangerous romp. Below are two from the selection on offer.

93% written and acted by Hamish Annan. Best N.Z. Script, Best Director, Best Actor and Peoples Choice Award, Short & Sweet Festival 2016. When you want to say “no thank you” to life’s challenges they always seem to have a way of sticking around.

NEW WORKS @ THE FRAME WORKSHOP The latest to arrive at the Frame Work Shop Gallery are a brand new series of silk screen prints from Tom Burnett.

Screened by the artist himself these images see Tom at his ultimate best and with a vibrant colour palette he captures the essence of New Zealand and the Pacific islands.

Each print has subtle differences so you can be sure of a unique artwork for your home. F PN THE FRAME WORKSHOP & GALLERY, 1/182 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 4749, www.frameworkshop.co.nz

Tom Burnett 'Flying Fish'

Hamish Annan

photography: Shovik Nandi Photography

Slow Dating Best Script, Best Director, Best Actress and Judges Choice Award, Short & Sweet Festival 2016. When an older woman tries speed dating it leads to a revealing night. Julie Collis, director Katie Burson and writer Adam Szudrich explore the beauty of holding on and the vulnerability in letting go.

Tom Burnett 'Breadfruit'

Julie Collis

Severity George Quiz Night, 6 October, 7.30pm, free For this traditional Believe It Or Not pub quiz four teams of six fill the Tiny Theatre with their brainpower for two hours. There are even up-cycled prizes. Bags your table now!

Coming early for tea is a good idea too.

Rocky Horror Halloween PTY, 29 October, 6pm, $25 incl arrival drink Dress up and dance in the lounge, watch the cult Rocky Horror film thrice in the Tiny Theatre, frolic freely in the fairy-lit garden, order a slice of Halloween pizza, let your hair down and have some fun. F PN Book online at www.garnetstation.co.nz T: 09 360 3397, GARNET STATION TINY THEATRE, 85 Garnet Road

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

ARTS + CULTURE @ ALL SAINTS ANGLICAN CHURCH SHOWING @ OREXART Cantorum Choir - ‘The Houses of Tudor and Stuart’ 15 October, 7.30pm

In the year of its 150th anniversary, All Saints Anglican Church is still at the heart of the Ponsonby community and remains a focus for local worship and community events.

A musical event of note will take place this month, when the choir Cantorum will present a concert entitled ‘The Houses of Tudor and Stuart’.

The choir, now in its third year of performing, is based at All Saints and gives regular concerts in this lovely venue.

The October recital will feature glorious music from the 16th and 17th Centuries, including works by composers William Byrd, Orlando Gibbons, John Blow and William Croft.

The ambience of All Saints is perfect for the presentation of these choral masterpieces, and conductor Iain Tetley hopes music lovers will turn out in force to support the choir.

Glen Wolfgramm - 10 New Paintings 27 September - 15 October Opening: 27 September 5-7pm

Glen Wolfgramm’s ‘10 New Paintings’ can be read like short stories, each one to be observed in isolation, swirling within the current of a larger body of work.

Wolfgramm usually works large but here he’s crafting something smaller nets containing his language, pulling it in, weaving images, making it a dense, slow read, perhaps akin to Niuean Hiapo or Tapa, with marks depicting real, and imagined, events. Wolfgramm is of Tongan, German and Irish descent and lives in New Zealand.

Please contact rex@orexart.co.nz for details. F PN OREXART, 15 Putiki Street, Arch Hill, T: 09 378 0588, rex@orexart.co.nz www.orexart.co.nz

The concert begins at 7.30pm on Saturday 15 October, and all are welcome.

Tickets are $25 when purchased in advance by email to cantorum.choir@gmail.com or call Tom Chignell T: 09 630 4315. Door sales $30 (Students $10). F PN

MAPURA STUDIOS - OPEN DAY 15 October, 10am - 2pm

The Mapura Studio Open Day programme promises to be fun for the whole family.

Wolfgramm, Toothpaste 2016 acrylic on ink canvas 930 x 460mm

It will include interactive art-making, an art exhibition with affordable art for sale, a cafe for refreshments, the Circability circus workshop, a sign language demonstration, Boccia, black board stage music, giant games on the lawn, a sausage sizzle, face painting, PN bouncy castle and more. This event is supported by Albert-Eden Local Board. F For more information call T: 09 845 5361, email info@mapruastudios.org.nz or go to their website www.mapruastudios.org.nz

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ARTS + CULTURE CELEBRATE THE ARTS AND CREATIVITY IN PONSONBY AND K'ROAD Artweek Auckland is owned and presented by the New Zealand Contemporary Art Trust, a charitable trust established in 2005 with the objective of creating opportunities for artists, promoting the visual arts industry, and facilitating greater public access to and engagement with the visual arts community.

The 2016 Artweek Auckland festival presents the, work of over 1000 artists, in more than 100 venues, over 10 days. Ponsonby and K'Road come alive with a focus on our talented creative arts community for the week of 8-16 October.

Some of the Ponsonby highlights include: Ponsonby Portals find amazing pieces of interactive 3D pavement art created by local artists ChalkFX along the Ponsonby strip. Watch artist Miles Harty painting live at the Poi Room. Acclaimed artist and musician Reg Mombassa aka Chris Doherty, launches his book the Landscapes of Reg Mombassa, along with his exhibition Antipodean Scenery: Views from the eyes of a car at Whitespace on Crummer Road. Ponsonby Central is buzzing with activity from Philip Stokes whose magical technique of manipulating hot glass results in mesmerizing objects which must be seen firsthand to fully appreciate. Take a nostalgic trip through Auckland with paintings by SamRB or head into the Sapphire Room at Ponsonby Central for an impressive group exhibition from the Colours Creative Group.

Ponsonby Portals

Hannah Jensen's latest exhibition View Point takes us on a journey through the New Zealand landscape at Endemic World. Local writer and artist ZR Southcombe is bringing some much-loved fairy tales to life - but she needs your help! Escape the hustle and bustle this Artweek and pop in to the Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookshop for some colouring fun. The extremely popular The Great Mugging returns for another year, seeing potters trade their handmade mugs for Ponsonby Road passersby takeaway cups, questioning the usage of disposable and mass-produced cups. Christchurch based artist Robin Neate will exhibit at Melanie Roger Gallery whilst Alexis Neal weaves together past and present at FHE Galleries.

K'Road presents an extraordinary array of creative energy with exhibitions as diverse as Paper Potions at Inky Palms, locally made textile objects and jewellery at TĂœR, Shane Cotton at Michael Lett, sounds of jungles meet those of death-metal with Spanish artist Francisco Lopez at the Audio Foundation and Oscar Perry offers commentary on the political and cultural legacy of late modernism with Essential Oils at Bowerbank Ninow plus much, much more.

Endemic World

On Electric Night explore the K'Road galleries on a free electric-bike tour provided

by Auckland Transport or take a self guided stroll with galleries open until 9pm and entertainment along the way.

This year the Langham Speaker series is a free public talk by Linda Tyler. Since 2006, Linda Tyler has been the Director of the Centre for Art Studies at the University of Auckland. Linda presents a robust conversation about art fairs, the marketing of art and the rise of the contemporary curator. Another great opportunity to learn about the business of art and collecting is Collecting Contemporary, a free event at Tim Melville Gallery, where gallery dealers Tim Melville along with Emma Fox from Fox Jensen Gallery offer tips of how to collect art.

You can also experience all these and much more of the brilliant art Ponsonby and K'Road has to offer with both walking and cycling tours. Dates for performances, tours and talks vary and some booking is required, please visit artweek.co.nz for a full online PN programme of events or pick up a printed programme from any participating gallery. F

Collecting Contemporary

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Electric Cycle Tour PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

CURTAIN RAISED ON NEW ASB WATERFRONT THEATRE Auckland’s new bespoke performing arts venue, the ASB Waterfront Theatre, is officially open.

Located in Wynyard Quarter, the $36m project signifies a major milestone in Auckland and New Zealand theatre history.

Comprising a 668-seat theatre, bar, cafe, gallery and events space, the ASB Waterfront Theatre is a purpose-built performing arts venue and the new home of Auckland Theatre Company (ATC).

“This unique opportunity came about as a result of ASB’s move to the Wynyard Quarter, a place which supports innovative business and, like the theatre, is using smart technology. It started a whole series of discussions with partners and stakeholders, who were all excited by the idea of what a theatre might add to the life of the waterfront,” says Lester McGrath, General Manager, ATC. “Because the waterfront is a dynamic and desirable spot designed with people in mind - a go-to destination for Auckland - we felt it would showcase Auckland’s theatre and performing arts in a way which hasn’t been possible before,” says Mr McGrath.

While a long-time dream for ATC, the ASB Waterfront Theatre also provides a space for other domestic and international arts organisations to tour and showcase their work.

ATC shows will be performed in the theatre 26 weeks a year, with the rest of the year set aside for hosting performances and events by outside hirers.

The Foundation Partners of the ASB Waterfront Theatre are Auckland Council, ASB Bank and AUT. Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister, Hon. Maggie Barry ONZM, says, “It is an outstanding facility where we can celebrate, promote and nurture the arts, and a platform for the diversity of Auckland voices to be heard,” Ms Barry says. “The new ASB Waterfront Theatre... acknowledges the role the arts plays in developing healthy and vibrant communities.” F PN

photography: Simon Devitt

www.asbwaterfronttheatre.co.nz

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ARTS + CULTURE STEAM - SCIENCE - TECHNOLOGY - ENGINEERING - ART - MATHS 13 October - 7 December 4 - 5.30pm $170 or $160 (LH Friends)

STEaM is an educational approach to learning that uses science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue and critical thinking.

The end results are students who take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, persist in problem solving, embrace collaboration, and work through the creative process. These are the innovators, educators, leaders and learners of the 21st Century! www.educationcloset.com

Studio education programme includes weaving, sculpture painting, kite making & more.

STEaM takes STEM to the next level: it allows students to incorporate art and design practices with the critical learning areas of science, technology, engineering and maths.

The new STEaM for Junior’s after school class removes the limitations of classroom teaching and replaces them with fun collaboration, analysis, investigation, innovation and art! Enrol online www.lakehousearts.org.nz F PN LAKE HOUSE ARTS, 37 Fred Thomas Drive, Takapuna - open 7 days

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ARTS + CULTURE

UPTOWN ART SCENE Studio One Toi Tu is part of Auckland Council’s community art centres, and occupies the old brick police barracks at 1 Ponsonby Road.

Last month, Toi Tu hosted the fantastic exhibition ‘So Much There Is’ of work by artists from Mapura Studios. Mapura Studios primarily offers art classes and art therapy programmes for people of all ages living with disability and diversity. This show was an explosion of expression of what they consider the commonalities of the human experience: joy, hopes and fears, and what they care for.

The words that accompanied the art were pure poetry, so I’ll leave the rest of this article to them.

“Policemen like different colours I choose the colours and I sing The policemen make me feel good I don’t know his name He goes for a drive in his car.”

(WARWICK)

It was good to see sales too, pleasing artists and collectors alike

“In so much of Brenda’s life people do things for her. Many things are out of her control because of her physical disability. But in art she controls everything - the colour, brush size, texture, placement... everything. It may take us six times to get the right colour, but she is very particular... yes, no, yes, no, yes, no, yes, no... yes. Brenda has her own mind and creative control. I assist her to hold the brush and she directs the movement.”

(BRENDA) “I am here because I broke my body. I broke my body (through stroke) and have limited energy so I cannot protest any more... so I paint. I love to do protest art. I always have hope and faith that one day we will listen... will we?” (GILLIAN) (WILL PAYNT STUDIO ARTS SUPPLIES) F PN

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Artwork covered every wall in a riot of colour

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ARTS + CULTURE SHOWING @ TOI ORA GALLERY Andrew Blythe - Portraits as part of Artweek 2016 and Mental Health Awareness Week 6 October - 4 November, Opening 6 October - 5pm Andrew Blythe in association with Tim Melville Gallery exhibits his recent series of portrait and figure drawings at the Toi Ora Gallery. Drawn or painted from life each work transferred to paper in Andrew’s unique style captures specific qualities of the models character. The artist will be present at the opening.

In addition, the Andrew Blythe calendar will be launched at the exhibition opening and will be available from Toi Ora and gallery stores in Auckland. F PN TIM MELVILLE GALLERY, 4 Winchester Street, T: 09 378 1500, www.timmelville.com TOI ORA GALLERY, 6 Putiki Street, T: 09 360 4171, info@toiora.org.nz, www.toiora.org.nz

Georgie Malyon at the opening night of ‘The Ritual’

GEORGIE MALYON

Her vision and aesthetic combine to complement a space.

Imagine life without flowers... they bring us joy and comfort, they add delightful colour to a home and they remind us of the precious gift of life...

It would seem then flowers are unconditionally generous given that individually theirs is a short existence. It is with this notion that Ponsonby florist/stylist and emerging artist Georgie Malyon began her love affair with flowers; embracing every stage from bud to bloom to decomposition.

The Andrew Blythe calendar

Last year, Georgie had her first exhibition at endemicworld on Ponsonby Road with her ‘Into the Mystic’ series. With these works she applied different mediums, paint, water and spray paint creating an outer-worldly realm. Since then she has worked in collaboration with Back to the Wall on an exciting project using prints from the ‘Into the Mystic’ series to create feature walls that undoubtedly make a dramatic statement in a room. www.backtothewall.co.nz Her most recent show at endemic world ‘The Ritual’ included a series of floral arrangements combined with glittering crystals of amethyst, quartz and obsidian, illuminated with candles, and photographed against a backdrop of silk or velvet drapery.

What may be considered by some as ‘out of place’ food items made an appearance: redbacked crabs, chicken feet and animal bones; these uncanny unions are both intriguing and unnerving, producing a sense of perceived discord in the viewer.

When making flowers Georgie says she has learnt that clients take first priority. “It’s important to understand their colour and flower preferences and to be acutely aware of the space they live in. I take these things into consideration and how they will complement a space whilst retaining my own vision, aesthetic and meaning. Working this way has influenced my approach to creating my art.”

Follow Georgie on instagram https://www.instagram.com/georgiemalyon/ and prints are available for purchase @ www.georgiemalyon.com

L to R: Andrew Blythe - Untitled 2015 (coloured charcoal on paper); Andrew Blythe - Untitled 2015 (acrylic and Indian ink on paper)

Georgie Malyon - Blush Shrine & Collected Bones print from ‘The Ritual’ series

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ARTS + CULTURE AUCKLAND’S LARGEST ART MARKET BACKED BY AUT When the doors open at The Original Art Sale, presented by AUT University, art lovers are assured of finding the perfect piece at a good price.

The Original Art Sale is a great way to support local emerging and well-known artists Over 1200 artworks by more than 300 New Zealand artists are made available for sale at this massive three-day event. The event’s supermarket concept is designed to regularly add or change the artworks on the gallery walls. The collection from established and emerging artists presents art collectors and buyers a wide range of styles while satisfying different tastes. The artworks are priced from $100 to $5000 allowing plenty of choices to suit the budget.

The AUT Original Art Sale launches with a charity gala night on Thursday 13 October with all gala evening ticket sale proceeds going to Life Education Trust Counties Manukau.

For the best selection of work, guests can attend the red letter VIP gala night by prepurchasing tickets from Ticket Direct for $49 from www.ticketdirect.co.nz The Original Art Sale is open to the public at Vodafone Events Centre, Manukau on Friday 14 October, 10am-5pm, and Saturday 15 October to Sunday 16 October, 10am to 3pm.

Entry is $15 for adults, $10 for children (under 16) and seniors. Tickets are available at the door. Pay parking is available via credit card, Vodafone text or Eftpos only. Cash payments are not accepted. Sunday entrance and parking is free!

For more information visit theoriginalartsale.co.nz

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HOROSCOPES: MISS PEARL NECLIS

What your stars hold for October ♎

♈ Aries (the Ram): 21 March - 20 April

♏

♉ Taurus (the Bull): 21 April - 21 May

Libra (the Scales): 24 September - 23 October Your confidence soars this month as you realise that you have a lot more potential than you realised. You don’t have to think about now anymore, you can start thinking about what’s on the horizon.

Scorpio (the Scorpion): 24 October - 22 November Don’t get lazy if you can this month because thinking that you have everything sorted could lead to mistakes being made. You could start getting ready for things to come so that you can be prepared rather than surprised.

♐ Sagittarius (the Archer): 23 November - 22 December

You have always been lucky and have been able to pursue your dreams but it might be time to focus less on you and more on what’s coming any future complications that can be dealt with now should be sorted.

You do feel invincible this month and that nothing can stand in your way. Also you’ve realised that you’ve slowly changed as your scenery and lifestyle have changed around you. You're more accepting and laid back than usual.

♊

You’re feeling a lot better about yourself and the support that you have been waiting for from colleagues has finally arrived. The good thing about all this for you is that you can help more and feel appreciated.

Gemini (the Twins): 22 May - 21 June You should really keep your options open where romance is concerned this month and the more clutter that you can get rid of that seems to be around you the better for everyone.

♑ Capricorn (the Goat): 23 December - 20 January

♋ Cancer (the Crab): 22 June - 22 July

Don’t distract yourself by trivial thoughts this month as you struggle to see the good in anything you do, you may have to accept that you have off days. You know you can often be overwhelmed by choice, so focus on one objective at a time.

♒ Aquarius (the Water Carrier): 21 January - 19 February

You usually manage to overcome most hurdles that are placed in your way but sometimes you find one that is a little bit bigger than the rest and you find yourself stuck. You may have to think of a new approach, that’s all, instead of getting stressed about it.

♓ Pisces (the Fish): 20 February - 20 March

Are you beginning to feel like any ideas that you’ve had have been wasted because you haven’t done anything about them, because everything and everyone seems to come before you, do something now that you have always wanted to and see how it feels, perhaps that will shake you out of the rut you’re in.

You have always been a believer in yourself and your capabilities but sometimes you find yourself drifting off and your fantasies getting a little out of hand. Most of the time things do turn out the way they were intended but you may have to go through a few hoops to get there.

♌

Leo (the Lion): 23 July - 21 August Just go with your gut feeling as you have done in the past and you will feel more inclined to do the right thing. No more misinterpreting or reading into what’s not there and you’ll find life a lot more manageable.

♍ Virgo (the Virgin): 22 August - 23 September

You will need to share how you feel this month as you are full of self confidence and you don’t want to become overwhelmed or bite off more than you can chew. If you do make any promises, please make sure you have evidence to back anything up.

PONSONBY NEWS OUTLETS FREEMANS BAY

NEWMARKET

Ecostore, 1 Scotland Street Glengarry, Corner Sale and Wellesley Streets Kellands Real Estate, 4 Drake Street New World, Victoria Park

Planet Ayurveda, 41 Gillies Avenue Taylor Boutique, 1 Teed Street

GREY LYNN Barfoot & Thompson, 533 Great North Road Barkley Manor, 400 - 402 Great North Road Grey Lynn Community Centre, 520 Richmond Road Grey Lynn Community Library, 474 Great North Road Raw Essentials, 401B Richmond Road Ripe, 172 Richmond Road Tapac, 100 Motions Road Vetcare, 408 Great North Road

HERNE BAY Herne Bay Post & Stationers, 240 Jervois Road Five Loaves, 206 Jervois Road Icing on the Cake, 188 Jervois Road Momentum, 182 Jervois Road

KINGSLAND Atomic, 420c New North Road

MT EDEN Citta Outlet Store, Corner Enfield & Normanby Road Sabato, 57 Normanby Road Studio Italia, 25 Nugent Street

146 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

NORTH SHORE Rug Direct, Wairau Park Dawson’s Furniture, Mairangi Bay

Ponsonby News is published on the first Friday of each month excluding January.

Copies go quickly so be quick to collect yours from any of the following outlets.

The issue is also published on our website www.ponsonbynews.co.nz

PARNELL Jane Daniels, 2 Birdwood Crescent Parnell Community Centre, 545 Parnell Road

PONSONBY Askew, 2b Jervois Road Bayleys, 305 Ponsonby Road Countdown, 7 Williamson Avenue Harcourts, 89 Ponsonby Road Leys Institute, 20 St Mary’s Road The Longroom, 114 Ponsonby Road Mag Nation, 123 Ponsonby Road Paper Plus, 332 Ponsonby Road Ponsonby Community Centre, 20 Ponsonby Terrace Servilles, Corner Jervois & Ponsonby Road Studio One, 1 Ponsonby Road Whitespace, 12 Crummer Road

WESTMERE Glengarry, 164 Garnet Road

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

THE PONSONBY PINK PAGES

Clothing Alterations

Alter Ego Roong T: 09 376 8689

M: 021 032 9128

182-4a Jervois Road, Herne Bay E: ra_cha29@yahoo.com “I get all my bits & pieces done by the smiling helpful Roong... and she’s got Eftpos = sorted...” MARTIN LEACH

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1 Sentinel Road Herne Bay

1 Sunny Brae Crescent Westmere

28 Ponsonby Terrace, Ponsonby

13/10 Shelly Beach Road St Marys Bay

16 Dunedin Street St Marys Bay

69 Argyle Street, Herne Bay %HDFRQVÀHOG 6WUHHW Grey Lynn

Exceptionally tuned in to what’s happening in your area, Karen’s your No. 1 property professional.

For an outstanding result, let Karen direct your sale.

101 Jervois Road Herne Bay

Karen Spires AREINZ 027 273 8220

karen.spires@bayleys.co.nz

$400 MILLION DOLLAR CLUB

25 Melford Street St Marys Bay

148 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2016

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Bayleys Real Estate Limited, Ponsonby Licensed under the REA Act 2008.