14 minute read
MIKE LEE: STANDING AGAIN FOR COUNCIL
LOCAL NEWS MIKE LEE: TIME TO TAKE A STAND
Many ‘Ponsonby News’ readers like me will have found themselves affected, perhaps surprisingly so, by the news of the passing of the Queen.
Affected too by nostalgic memories of her long reign playing on our screens, memories of which for some go back to her very first visit to New Zealand in the summer of 1953-54. Seen through the sentimental lens of royal tour camera teams, the beautiful young Elizabeth appears as if a fairy Queen in New Zealand in a golden time - a time of happy, waving people, living in wholesome prosperity. Of course, the Tangiwai disaster which happened at that time was a reminder there is no such thing as fairy tales.
Nevertheless, the New Zealand of that time was indeed a different country and as L.P. Hartley famously observed, they did do things differently there. The country the young Queen visited was less than 10 years out of an exacting national war effort. A unified country and a proud country. New Zealand had punched well above its weight on the WW2 battlefield and achieved outstanding success on the home front as well. The country’s national debt at the end of the war was lower than at the beginning.
New Zealand remarkably was a net donor of war aid not only to the United Kingdom but also to the United States! So, in the 1950s, as the result of the social reforms, housing, local industry, ambitious infrastructure programmes and consequent full employment of the first Labour government and the wise decisions of subsequent National governments not to overturn these, meant New Zealand had attained a standard of living second only to that of the USA. In the rural New Zealand that the young Queen visited, every country town typically surrounded by dozens of smallish dairy farms, owned or ‘share-milked’ by local families, had its own post office, railway station, dairy factory, schools – bigger towns had hospitals, providing full employment and support for the local people.
The rural heartland was indeed that. There was no such thing then as intergenerational unemployment, nor drug-dealing gangs ruling over small towns blighted by methamphetamine.
As for the bigger cities Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, each had a claim for primacy and so there was a healthy rivalry and national balance in terms of growth and development. I was born in Wellington. My mother, who was an Aucklander, and Dad a Wellingtonian, used to rib each other over this rivalry (do people bother with that nowadays?) In my eyes, Mum always won. So, I came to Auckland as soon as I could, when I turned 21, with my young wife and baby girl. It was February 1970. The Queen was visiting Auckland at that time too. Among the four cities, Auckland, the most beautiful of course, was primus inter pares. It was not the sprawling monster government and council policies have turned it into now. In those days too, led by popular DoveMyer Robinson, it was proud to call itself ‘the Queen’s City’.
The last time I saw the Queen was on Waitangi Day 1990. I had taken my family there because it seemed the place to be at a time when the country was celebrating the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty. Everyone was in a euphoric mood because of the great success of the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games the Queen had ceremonially closed a few days before. But change was in the air.
1990 was on the cusp of the old welfare state - New Zealand being replaced by the new neo-liberal order. The atmosphere at Waitangi to my surprise was not so festive – hot, humid and tense. We stood halfway up the ramp leading up to the Treaty grounds waiting to see the Queen. Presently she was driven past in an open land rover. She didn’t seem especially happy. We later learned a young woman at the bottom of the ramp had flung a wet tee-shirt at her.
What has this all to do with the coming election? The passing of the Queen reminds us not only of our own mortality, but that history is not always progress. And that while there have been brilliant technological advances, our society, our country, our beloved city, has lost a lot along the way, and stands to lose a whole lot more. It has become very clear that the so-called ‘Super City’ is failing, with another massive billion plus? cost blow-out for the City Rail Link, inexcusably being hidden from the public until after the election.
So, this election could not be more important. It is time for Aucklanders to take a stand. To stand up for the heritage handed down to us, stand up for our democratic rights and equality before the law, stand up to bureaucratic AT, stand up for our unique character suburbs and parks - and to remind the powers-that-be that governments, and in this case councils and councillors, are there to serve the people – not the other way round. (MIKE LEE) PN www.mikelee.co.nz
THE HISTORY OF COWORKING AND WHY IT’S NOW MORE RELEVANT THAN EVER
Coworking, shared spaces, hot desks, working remotely – since the pandemic, everyone from one-person bands to large corporates is exploring new working arrangements.
As we gradually emerge from the world of lockdowns and working from home, we’re looking for ways to reconnect, reinvigorate the lost company culture, and nourish our mental health after a couple of years of disruption and uncertainty.
The idea of coworking, however, isn’t a new one.
Back in 1995 a group of German computer engineers started working together to share knowledge, equipment and facilities in a setup they called “hackerspace”.
Four years later, professional game designer and “fun theorist” Bernard DeKoven introduced the word coworking to describe not a physical space but a way of working. Coworking, he explained, was a way of breaking down the hierarchy.
This new way of working gained popularity globally, and in 2002 Schraubenfabrik opened as the self-proclaimed “mother of coworking”. It was soon followed by Brad Neuberg’s space in San Francisco, with many people still referring to him as the official inventor of coworking.
Coworking then, isn’t a new idea. But it’s become mainstream as we’ve explored different arrangements for how, when and where we work. Working from home isn’t an attractive option for many, so having a shared space where you can work alongside others offers several benefits.
Coworking is much more than shared overheads and rent. We know from research that mood and productivity improve when we are around others. We are more focused and efficient with our time when we’re away from the distractions of home life. Connecting and collaborating with others helps our creativity, even if we work in different industries.
Once the domain of artists, tech entrepreneurs and start-ups, coworking is now an attractive and viable option, whether you’re a freelancer, a small business, or part of a larger organisation.
As more companies adjust to increasing demands for flexible working arrangements, coworking spaces help create the perfect hybrid working environment where employees can combine time in the office with working from home or a shared workspace. For this new autonomous workforce, where, when, and how you get your work done is no longer as important as what you produce. Outputs are more valuable than inputs.
So companies are embracing coworking sites for hybrid working models and offsite strategy sessions. And individuals are reaping the benefits of hot desking in a collaborative, shared space that fuels their creativity and supports their mental health.
If you’d like to give coworking a try, get in touch with us on hello@theworkshopauckland.co.nz, and come look around our two great Auckland coworking locations.
Author: Tristan Marris is the owner of Auckland coworking spaces The Workshop – Ponsonby and Colony – Avondale. www.theworkshopauckland.co.nz
Leave the house, not the neighbourhood.
Coworking, hot desks, meeting room & office hire. Join us. We’re in your hood.
WILLIAM GREIG: ASKING FOR HELP IS NOT A CRIME
Covid-19 may be on the wane, thankfully, but we shouldn’t let the message of the last two years or so, to ‘Be Kind’, wane along with it. And if for whatever reason you find it difficult to be kind, let yourself accept the kindness of others.
Last month Catherine Pearson in the New York Times wrote an article titled, ‘Go Ahead, Ask for Help - People Are Happy to Give It’. In it, she quoted research by Professor Xuan Zhao of Stanford University and Nicholas Epley from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, which shed light on just why we sometimes hesitate to ask for help. They found that there are many reasons: we may be afraid of imposing; we may have a fear of rejection; we may take a stiff-upperlip approach and try to solve our problems ourselves. But encouragingly, their research has found that people are more willing to give help than we might think.
Several years ago, I was standing right beside a middleaged Korean woman seated on a crowded bus in Seoul, South Korea. It had been a long day and I was keen to arrive home and put my feet up. Quite suddenly the woman pulled - even snatched - my bulging satchel from my hand and placed it firmly on her lap. She held it there until I got off the bus at my stop. I had never experienced something like this before, and while my first reaction was to pull my satchel away from her ’thieving’ hands, her smile told me she was offering to lighten my load. In this case I hadn’t asked for assistance but I was grateful, and happy she was happy to help. This random act of kindness happened several times on other bus rides home, and on those occasions I didn’t hesitate to temporarily hand over my satchel laden with the day’s work. In fact, as time went on, if it didn’t happen on my rush-hour-bus-ride home, it would be a bit of a disappointment and I would have to carry my not so light satchel myself for the entire bus journey.
But sometimes accepting help can be difficult, and there may be good reason. Not so long ago I met my elderly neighbour - a long term Greater Ponsonby resident - in the street. He was carrying his shopping bag and had been to the nearby supermarket. He was almost at his front gate but was resting up for a moment. I stopped and asked him if he was okay, to which he replied he was. I crossed the road, but seeing he was quite out of breath went back to check on him once again. “Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked. “Can I carry your bag inside for you?” “I’m fine,” he replied. Sadly, he passed several days later. May he rest in peace.
As I write this, I can’t help wondering if my neighbour’s final few hours and days might have been different if he had let me help him carry his shopping bag, or indeed if I had been more insistent with my offer.
It’s so easy to forget that in our self-imposed busy lives there are moments when we need to stop and consider. Just for a moment. So many of us are perhaps guilty at times of rushing through tasks while thinking of the next one; cutting conversations with others short; speeding-up in an attempt to get through the traffic lights; hesitating to offer - or to accept - help.
The findings of Zhao and Epley may not come as rocket science to some, but to others just might make it easier to respond to times of need.
As Nicholas Epley says, “We tend to underestimate the power of engaging in simple gestures of kindness”. And whether it’s offering help or accepting help, that’s got to be a good thing to remember.
Remain kind. (WILLIAM GREIG) PN
Bodyworks Panelbeaters and Painting do more than just fix dents.
With more than 70 years’ combined experience in all forms of collision, structural repairs, and refinishing, the Bodyworks team remain devoted to providing exceptional vehicle repair services using the best accident repair products available.
Managing Director, Bruce Rosoman founded Bodyworks Panelbeaters in 2000. He says, “Our beginnings were small and humble. As the business grew, we moved our workshop to new premises at 18 Pollen Street. This meant we could continue to serve our valued Ponsonby client base.”
Using the latest repair techniques, all car repairs are handled quickly, without compromising on quality. They deliver a prompt, efficient repair and refinish service for all types of vehicles, scooters, even push bikes and ebikes.
Caring for the environment is an important aspect of how they go about their work and the products they use. “We care for the environment by using PPG's Envirobase Waterborne paint system. The PPG waterborne paint system has less impact on the environment as lower volatile chemicals are used,” says Bruce.
All waterborne basecoat systems are not created equal. Thanks to its unique technology, the PPG Envirobase® paint system delivers ground-breaking waterborne performance characteristics. This industry leading formulation combines the speed, productivity, and user-friendliness our modern collision repair centres need in this environmentally conscious world. Their qualified trades team have all achieved I-Car training awards. I-Car is the internationally licenced trainer for the collision repair industry. They regularly attend I-car courses to keep up with the latest repair techniques, thereby ensuring vehicles are returned to the clients in their pre-accident condition, not just visually, but structurally too.
Bodyworks is authorised to work with major insurance providers and offer a full insurance company repair process. To help you with the claim process they will liaise with your insurer to make sure you are getting the best advice and service.
In addition to collision, structural repairs, refinishing, and even the removal of minor dents and dings from your car, Bodyworks have their own certified baby car seat installer onsite. They can also arrange for you many additional services as listed on their website. Loan cars are available while your vehicle is being repaired. *T&C apply.
18 Pollen Street, Ponsonby, T: 09 376 6449, www.bodyworkspanelbeaters.com
Located near you, we deliver a prompt, quality vehicle repair and refinish service.
Insurance Co Approved & Private Repair Specialists
LOCAL NEWS CENTRAL INTERCEPTOR EXTENSION PROPOSED TO CLEAN UP CITY FRINGE BEACHES
Watercare is planning to extend the Central Interceptor wastewater tunnel all the way to Pt Erin in a bid to clean up Auckland’s city fringe beaches at St Marys and Herne Bays.
Watercare and Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters had originally planned a programme of work to separate the combined stormwater/wastewater network in St Marys Bay and Herne Bay, as part of the Western Isthmus Water Quality Improvement Programme, which would significantly reduce overflows into the harbour when it rains.
However, Watercare chief executive Jon Lamonte says recent cost estimates have prompted a rethink on the best approach to achieving the water quality outcomes the community is eagerly anticipating.
“Infrastructure projects all over the country have been heavily impacted by escalating material, labour and traffic management costs. These increases, along with further costs identified in the design stage to accommodate geotechnical risks, put our most recent cost estimates for the St Marys and Herne Bay separation project at $278 million – well above the original forecast of $136m.
“We simply can’t continue with the original separation plan at that cost so we’re developing an alternative solution that involves extending the Central Interceptor wastewater tunnel that’s currently in construction.
“By extending it about 1.5 kilometres from Grey Lynn to Pt Erin, and building a new Herne Bay wastewater pipe to connect to it, we’ll be able to collect the area’s combined wastewater and stormwater and transport it to our Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant.
“The Central Interceptor extension is an excellent alternative as it will achieve the same environmental benefits but sooner and at about 20 per cent less cost than separation. “We’d be almost eliminating overflows at these city beaches by 2028.
“It would also mean there’d be less disruption in the St Marys and Herne Bay communities from construction activity and traffic management as the tunnel boring machine plugs away underground, unnoticed, and construction activity would be localised to the Pt Erin drop shaft.”
Watercare and Healthy Waters are engaging with local community liaison groups and mana whenua about the alternative approach.
While the separation programme won’t proceed in the 2028 timeframe originally intended, separation will still be carried out in the future using a targeted approach to gradually remove stormwater from the Central Interceptor tunnel.
Watercare and Healthy Waters staff are hosting a drop-in session at the Ponsonby Community Hall on October 12, from 6pm to 8pm to answer any questions residents may have.
Watercare hopes to progress with detailed design and statutory approvals for the Central Interceptor extension later this year.
Extending the tunnel to Pt Erin is expected to add another three or four months to Central Interceptor project, which is currently scheduled to finish in mid 2026.
www.watercare.co.nz
