PONSONBY NEWS - DECEMBER'14

+ PUBLISHED 5 DECEMBER, 2014

Established: OCTOBER 1989 – CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF PUBLISHING HISTORY!

ponsonbynews.co.nz

DECEMBER 2014

TWO WISE MEN AND A VERY WISE WOMAN… We welcome Shanghai Lil’s back to the ‘hood with our local Labour List MP Jacinda Ardern

WHAT’S INSIDE THIS MONTH

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P18; Mrs Claus, Santa and the Elves will be residing at the ASB Santa’s Bach as part of the free festivities taking place at Wynyard Christmas Quarter from 5 December until Christmas Eve. For more info visit www.yourwaterfront.co.nz/christmas P42; Rob and Murray from Heirloom Organix are regulars at the Sunday Grey Lynn Farmers’ Market.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FROM THE EDITOR DAVID HARTNELL: ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW SHALE CHAMBERS: WAITEMATA LOCAL BOARD NIKKI KAYE: MP FOR AUCKLAND CENTRAL U3A PONSONBY JACINDA ARDERN: LABOUR LIST MP AUCKLAND MIKE LEE, COUNCILLOR FOR WAITEMATA & GULF LANDMARK BUILDINGS PONSONBY NEWS READERS ARE EVERYWHERE

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EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY THE VEG FRIENDLY CHALLENGE LAURAINE JACOBS: THE SEASONED PALATE FASHION + STYLE ANGELA LASSIG: LETTERS FROM MAUDIE HELENE RAVLICH: NATURAL BEAUTY LIVING, THINKING + BEING ASK DR AJIT JOHN APPLETON ON HEALTH SHEENA SHUVANI: STARDUST ASTROLOGY

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FUTURE GENERATION SIDELINE WITH GEORGE BERRY PONSONBY PEOPLE & THEIR PETS LOOK WHO IS IN THE ZOO HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS HEIDI PADAIN: ENTERTAINMENT IN YOUR GARDEN STREET NAMES JAY PLATT: WE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT ARTS + CULTURE PONSONBY PINK PAGES COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: Michael McClintock

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The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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LETTERS + EMAILS

Views in Ponsonby News reflect the author’s, and not those of Alchemy Media. www.twitter.com/Ponsonby_News

Dogs in Grey Lynn Park Just a note about a letter in the November issue. I met the man in question with his labradoodle... his dog had just had 20 odd stitches in his shoulder because a Staffie/pit bull cross on a ‘long piece of rope’ had lashed out ‘quickly, savagely and unpredictably’.

LYC Chargers sponsorship Thank you once again for supporting the team this season, you have no idea how much stress your contribution takes off everybody especially those in the team who do not necessarily have the funds to play.

He pointed out to me that if it had been a child it would have been extremely serious.

I would agree. The Staffie/pit bull crosses are unpredictable and when Viviene Moore says her dog is “headstrong” and “came easily when pulled” I, like the labradoodle owner, would feel anxious, and give them and their owners, however responsible they think they are being, a wide berth.

Hopefully we may get to see you on the sidelines this season as we are playing at Victoria park over the summer months. If there is anything the team can do to help in any way please let me know. DION HOSKING, LYC Chargers

These breeds are quite frankly unpredictable and very, very strong. Unfortunately short leashes seem to make them territorial, and long ‘pieces of rope’ are an invitation for uncontrolled savagery.

I sympathise with other dog owners who feel the Staffie/pit bull crosses are a potential menace. I sympathise with the labradoodle owner, his dog was seriously harmed and he was (on the day I spoke to him) obviously still very upset and really very weary of these dogs in the park. He was reliving the trauma in the telling of it and quite rightly warning other owners to be watchful.

Viviene Moore says in her letter “her dogs”... I don’t know if she means she has two Staffie /pit bulls on leads that “come easily when pulled” but I kind of shudder at the thought of two staffies coming easily when pulled when they are being, in her words, “headstrong”.

Viviene also says her dogs have been harangued by Labradors, Dalmatians, Malteses and Chihuahuas, all off lead and very bold. Well, she can add a ‘middle aged man with a labradoodle’ to her list. Perhaps she should listen. Most dog owners in the park allow their dogs to run in the ‘off lead’ areas and would shudder at two “headstrong” Staffie /pit bulls in their midst. I think there would be a chorus of polite ‘f**k offs’.

Evening parking spaces are taken up by taxis Taxis make a wonderful contribution to our city. As we become more citified, walking, cycling, busing and taxi are a wonderful way to commute and have become a way of life.

Regrettably, we need a code of conduct or rules to provide comfort and preserve the rights of law abiding citizens. Twice recently on Ponsonby Road I have been unable to park because taxis are using every available park and are double parking as far as the eye can see. It is fantastic to see the cultural change which is happening where an increasing number of folk use public transport rather than drive but something is missing.

We seem to have lost the plot when citizens are prohibited from going about their lawful business and taxi drivers believe they have rights to every available parking space and when asked to move they flatly refuse to do so. It seems that possession of a car park by taxis is nine tenths of the law?

This is not how it should be, we have no wish to live in a police state and commonsense and reason should play. Unfortunately this is not the case.

The council must fix this before it impacts on Auckland’s reputation.

GERRY HILL, Ponsonby

Poor Viviene, you probably do feel responsible and perhaps you are trying to be ‘too careful’ but you have to understand these dogs are scary, and I’m sorry but a Maltese or a Chihuahua isn’t going to fare too well with your dog/s... and neither is a child.

REX ARMSTRONG, Grey Lynn Western Park Ponsonby and safety I have walked my dogs through Western Park after dusk for more than 20 years. Often we meet other dogs and their owners and sometimes we have a chat. We have never feared for our safety because of the lighting on the pathways.

The most dangerous walk in the park is the one from Hopetoun Street to the park. It is often poorly maintained and in fact dangerous because of the condition it is kept in.

Locals would prefer that the walking tracks were properly maintained rather than the council proceed with the penny pinching decision to turn the lights off.

This decision is compounded by the intensification taking place around Western Park.

There are hundreds of apartments under construction, and thousands of new residents to come. A concern that many of us hold, is that although rapid intensification is taking place in our neighbourhoods there is the lack of additional or improved amenities being developed for our new residents.

Removing lighting from Western Park is at best short sighted. No doubt as our local population increases problems and benefits will multiply. It would have been better for the council to take the time, identify the needs and potential issues that the increased population will place on the park before allowing the apartment development of the scale which is taking place.

Ironically with the increasing population Western Park will be even more utilised and safer. Before one house was sold in Hobsonville Point the infrastructure was planned.

Surely this is how things should be?

GERRY HILL, Ponsonby FROM THE EDITOR: See Vernon Tava’s editorial on Western Park lighting on page 10.

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FROM THE EDITOR

LIKE US! www.facebook.com/ponsonbynews THE TEAM IS EXCITED TO HAVE SHANGHAI LIL’S back in the neighbourhood. This bar is iconic and is a great asset to Ponsonby, which is why it is on our front cover along with Jacinda Ardern, our local Labour List MP. Expect comfortable chairs in brocade and velvet, a gleaming black baby grand piano, lush plants, hanging curtains, lamps and decorative oriental pieces, the bar at 212 Ponsonby Road has been transformed.

A night out looks to be popular already, with a busy and diverse crowd enjoying the comfortable atmosphere and tempting cocktails.

It seems as if part of Western Park will soon be dark at night. Read Vernon Tava’s ‘When Park Lighting Doesn’t Improve Safety’ on page 10.

The other event which seems doomed with nasty weather is the Taste of Auckland event, held last month in Western Springs. This event could also benefit from a date change!

It’s always sad when old buildings go from our neighbourhood, but it looks as if the villa which

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

photography: Michael McClintock

It was a pity to have such nasty weather for last month’s ‘Art in the Dark’, its fifth year in Western Park. I’m rather glad we got our photos on the Thursday evening although the final evening, the Sunday night, was a little better. To ensure the likelihood of fine weather, isn’t it time the organisers thought about changing the date?

February’s weather is usually excellent.

Gwynne Davenport, Jo Barrett, Jay Platt, Martin Leach and Jessie Kollen

housed Erawan Thai on Jervois Road may shortly disappear.

The Thai restaurant’s lease was up and they have relocated to 280 Richmond Road, a few doors from Hell’s Pizza. Erawan will open in January.

Auckland is VERY quiet over the festive season but it’s the perfect opportunity to get a table at your favourite cafe... and parking is easier.

We’d like to wish all our readers and advertisers a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. The holiday season is almost upon us, which is a good time to mention safety, not just home security. Keep yourselves safe from the sun, make sure you cater well for your pets, drive carefully and stay safe in the water.

Our offices are closed and will reopen on Monday 12 January.

(MARTIN LEACH) F PN

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DAVID HARTNELL’S: ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW Aroha Awarau is an award-winning playwright and journalist, who lives in Arch Hill.

What got you interested in writing plays?

I had been working for both Woman’s Day and New Zealand Women’s Weekly, and was in the magazine industry for eight years, and I wanted to branch out and challenge myself as a writer, and the way to do that, I thought, would be to write a play. I started writing Luncheon three years ago, and funded and produced it myself. It’s great to add another bow to my string.

What was your childhood like?

I grew up in a small town in Taranaki called Hawera. I had a happy and loving childhood, because of my mother Nina, who protected me from a lot in life. I was a movie buff from an early age, and was quoting Bette Davis at seven years old. The movies were an escape for me, and I would always be watching movies, from the Hollywood classics to popular films like Grease.

Most annoying celebrity today?

I sat next to David Cunliffe on the plane once, and I tried to spark a conversation with him, but he wasn’t interested and fell asleep while I was trying to talk to him. I didn’t think I was THAT boring! I do think falling asleep on someone is annoying, don’t you think?

Favourite TV series?

The Good Wife, love the combination of at home life, legal drama and the political world!

Your dream holiday internationally?

NEW YORK! I love that city, it’s my spiritual place. I would love to spend three months there going to theatre, and just being immersed in the city and its people.

Best thing you got on an overseas trip?

Last trip I did to the United States, I got to meet Hollywood and Broadway legend Carol Channing, Mind you, I did sneak into her dressing room after a performance so I could get a picture with her. Our picture together is the best thing I brought back.

Tweeting or Facebook?

Facebook, it gives you more freedom to write more.

The greatest love of your life?

My mother, she passed when I was 15 and it’s her love that has guided me for the rest of my life.

What happens when we die?

I hope that we get to spend eternity with our loved ones who have passed.

Best movie?

Six Degrees of Separation, each time I watch it I get something different from it.

Last time you cried?

When I checked my bank account after a night out on the town.

Give your teenaged self some advice?

Loosen up and don’t be so uptight!

Favourite book?

Harry Potter series.

Favourite time of the day?

Night time, relaxing in bed.

Your dream home?

A renovated villa with a pool.

Your idea of perfect happiness?

Having every play and film I write being produced with a limitless budget and my choice of actors.

Your greatest fear?

Leaving this earth without having realised all of my dreams.

Favourite hero?

Wonder Woman, because I’m drawn to strong female characters.

How would you like to be remembered?

For making people laugh and for being a loyal friend.

Change one thing about yourself?

To have better eyesight.

The best thing about your age?

That I survived my teens and twenties, and came through it a decent person.

Which living person do you most admire?

Oprah Winfrey, I wanted to be the next Oprah Winfrey and copy her interview technique in my role as a journalist.

Greatest hits you would take to a desert island?

Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and a compilation of my favourite Broadway hits.

Best dressed woman on earth?

Iman, who I absolutely adore!

Something you really disapprove of?

Violence!

What song makes you happy?

Can’t beat, Poi E! Biggest disappointment?

Never doing my big OE in Europe.

If you won a million dollars?

Fund my movie script.

Comfort food?

Old fashion chip dip (reduced cream and onion soup) and chips.

What motivates you?

The will to succeed in everything I do.

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Life motto?

Live the life you love, love the life you live.

Any acting aspirations?

I was in Oliver when I was seven, and loved being able to act. I’m afraid if I do act now, I’ll be one note, as I can’t do accents.

Greatest weakness?

Youtube, especially when I have writing to do.

Handshake or a hug kind of person?

Hug, definitely.

Any recurring dreams?

Yes, of tidal waves and of flying.

Dream guest list for a dinner party?

Oprah Winfrey, for her stories. Whoopi Goldberg, for making us laugh.

Any party tricks?

I know lots of card tricks, a result of four years at boarding school.

(DAVID HARTNELL) F PN

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SHALE CHAMBERS: WAITEMATA LOCAL BOARD REPORT HERE IN THE INNER CITY, AS elsewhere, we all desire to see an improved city.

Better transport infrastructure to improve congestion and public transport options, improved sporting and leisure facilities, for healthy lives and as social centres, new places for people to connect as a diverse community, improved walkways and cycleways, through our streets, parks and open spaces and to our coast. We also expect to see the basics taken care of. Our footpaths and roadways maintained, our rubbish collected, our parks cared for, and our libraries open.

At the same time most do not wish to see rates increase, many saying beyond the rate of inflation. That, of course, ensures the current basics can only ever be delivered. Perhaps a little better with efficiencies, but nothing new. It is simple maths.

The council is shortly to consult on its 10 year plan, which will set out what basics and community improvements are proposed to be planned for and funded over the next decade of Auckland’s development.

Rates, which fund about 40% of council’s revenue (the balance coming from fees and charges and investment returns), are proposed to be increased on average by 3.5% pa, which next year is an average 5.6% household increase due to business rate differentials being reduced over time. Taking into account the recent property revaluations; more modest on this occasion for the inner city, that equates to an average increase of 3.78% for Waitemata households. For that level of rates, we see the city’s share of the City Rail Link funded, and for Waitemata at the local level, amongst other things the

Weona-Westmere coastal walkway constructed, the new inner city community hub, the Pioneer Women’s/Ellen Melville Hall redevelopment completed, and Newmarket Laneway street scope improvements proceed. We remain hopeful that the Parnell train station and the Auckland Domain sandscarpeting sports field capacity improvement projects will also proceed from within larger budgets, although further discussions will be necessary. In addition, with the support of the City Centre business and residential communities, an improved target rate proposal will see many City Centre improvements proceed, which would not, but for this support. In addition most basics, like renewals, are to be funded, although some service levels such as the regularity of park mowing and library hours are to be adjusted.

In the meantime, your local board continues to plan for a better inner city to be funded at an affordable level over time and to seek your views on the proposals developed.

Rates are assessed and paid on the basis of property valuations. For many this has only an indirect association with an ability to pay, as incomes may be fixed, whilst living in inner city family homes that have soared in value over recent years. An under-utilised rates rebate system is available to many, but this only partially addresses the issue. However, this is the system of local government funding presently available.

The Government on the other hand has the ability to tax incomes and expenditure and to deficit budget in tougher years. Auckland Council must fully fund what it plans and balance its budget every year.

Despite the weather, Art in the Dark was again a huge success in Western Park with large numbers of visitors between Thursday and Sunday night.

The question for the community therefore is what level of city improvements is it prepared to fund to balance progress against affordability going forward? Is the level proposed about right?

Grey Lynn Park Development Plan. The purpose is to provide a clear framework to guide how the park is to be improved over time. It includes a greenway through the park, upgrades to the children’s play areas and a new community and sports pavilion. Consultation runs until 12 December 2014.

Newton Eden Terrace Plan. The plan now includes the area adjacent to the Mt Eden train station and offers new opportunities for public services, business and open spaces in the Eden Terrace area. Consultation ends 17 December.

As a near local, my wife and I will be walking the Franklin Road Christmas lights once again this year. I’m sure you agree it’s always a great start to the festive season.

It has been a busy year for the Waitemata Local Board.

On behalf of Deputy Chair, Pippa Coom and members, Christopher Dempsey, Greg Moyle, Vernon Tava, Rob Thomas, Deborah Yates and myself, I wish you and your families a happy and safe holiday season.

PN (SHALE CHAMBERS) F Contact me: shale.chambers@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

WHEN PARK LIGHTING DOESN’T IMPROVE SAFETY A recommendation of the Parks Department of Council, under consideration by the local board, to remove lights from the middle section of Western Park has caused some controversy. The flat Ponsonby Road end of the park would remain lit.

This thinking is highly site-specific. Western Park is one of Auckland’s oldest parks and the landscape is very challenging from a safety perspective. The sharp drop-off at the top means that much of the park can’t be seen from Ponsonby Road and surveillance from surrounding properties is very poor. There are many hollows and heavily wooded areas where people can be concealed. Some serious assaults have happened only a short distance from the main road and have not been seen; not for lack of lighting but because of landscape.

Numerous international studies have shown that lighting in the wrong places can actually increase crime. Ministry of Justice advice is that properly-used outdoor lighting “does not lead people into potential areas of entrapment or concealment... such areas should not be lit.” Lighting only along a path provides opportunities for offenders to watch potential victims in the illuminated areas, whilst remaining unseen in the darker surrounding areas.

Last year, in Seattle, a council experimented with floodlighting a park from dusk to dawn.

Local police reported that criminal activity increased substantially. In Wellington, lights were removed from Central Park and a path through the Botanic Gardens and crime dropped.

Similar CPTED approaches are used in the United Kingdom and Australia.

The removal of lights would not represent a cost saving. It costs money to remove the lights and planned investment into the park outweighs any savings. This is a matter of public safety.

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There is a difference between perception and reality of safety when it comes to parks and open spaces.

We take your safety very seriously and base our proposals on evidence and expert advice. When we light a path we are giving an assurance that it is safe.

If it isn’t, we’re allowing a dangerous illusion.

You will all have a chance to have your say on this matter.

The local board will be consulting on the Western Park Development Plan - including lighting - early next year, before any final decisions are made.

(VERNON TAVA, Waitemata Local Board) F PN

photography: Michael McClintock

Removal of lights is supported by Police and council’s Community Safety Team. An evidence-based approach called Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design tells us that lighting is only part of the equation. Surveillance (eyes on the park) and sightlines into it are essential for lighting to be any use.

The flat Ponsonby Road end of Western Park, near John Radford’s sculptures, will remain lit.

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NIKKI KAYE: AUCKLAND CENTRAL MP

Auckland growth provides opportunities and challenges During November I have been meeting with a number of groups talking about key Auckland legacy projects that are being delivered in transport, housing and areas like the Waterfront.

It is clear from many of the meetings I have had that many more businesses are choosing to locate here, from luxury hotels on our waterfront to innovative ICT companies.

It is also clear that more and more people are coming from within New Zealand and abroad to make Auckland their home. The growth of Auckland is accentuated by an improving economy. More New Zealanders are in work and the unemployment rate is now the lowest in more than five years. Over the past year 72,000 more people were employed and the jobless rate dropped to 5.4% - lower than the 6.2% in Australia.

Our economic success and people’s desire to live in Auckland means there is more pressure on housing. We know that it is vital that all Aucklanders, but particularly young people, have access to good quality housing. We believe an important part of this is improving home ownership because it provides more stability for families and greater security for people in retirement.

We have a team of Ministers focused on improving Auckland housing by working alongside the Auckland Council to deliver a range of initiatives. Our government has been focused on keeping interest rates lower for longer to help more people into homes.

We have been doing that by carefully controlling our spending and sticking with sensible economic policy. We have also been working to increase the amount of land available for new houses and to get those houses built. Last year the government and Auckland Council agreed on a Housing Accord which provides for the creation of Special Housing Areas by the council. It means thousands of new homes coming into the market over the next few years. So far over 60 of these Special Housing Areas have been announced which means over 30,000 new homes being built.

However, it’s not enough to merely build houses, the government wants to help and encourage young Aucklanders to become a part of the housing market. During the election we announced that a new National Government will double government support for first home buyers, and over the next five years we’ll help 90,000 New Zealanders into their first home. Our HomeStart policy is the most significant Government support for first home buyers in more than a generation and, what’s more, we’ve carefully designed our policy to get more new homes built in an affordable price range.

We’ll be doing this by making three sets of changes. Firstly, the new KiwiSaver HomeStart Grant will double the support for people who are buying or building a brand new home.

This will encourage communities to grow their housing stocks, and generate more money for local economies.

Secondly, first home buyers will now be allowed to withdraw the Government’s annual contribution to their KiwiSaver account - the member tax credit of up to $521 a year - as well as their own, and their employer’s, contributions. Finally, Welcome Home Loan house price limits will be aligned with the new KiwiSaver HomeStart Grant, meaning home buyers only need a 10% deposit to get a government-guaranteed loan. These changes will ensure more Aucklanders are able to attain the dream of owning their own home.

As the New Year approaches I am pleased to confirm that I will be moving my electorate office to Jervois Road. By being in this location I hope to be able to be even more accessible to Auckland central constituents. I wish you a relaxing holiday season and PN a safe and happy New Year. (NIKKI KAYE) F

photography: Martin Leach

Hon Nikki Kaye is the MP for Auckland Central. www.nikkikaye.co.nz

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LOCAL NEWS FRAMEWORK SERVICES LTD TO WITHDRAW FROM KELMARNA GARDENS Dr Colin Hayes, Framework Services Ltd CEO has announced that Framework is intending to withdraw from the longstanding operational relationship with Kelmarna Community Gardens Trust early in 2015.

This is so FSL can reconfigure community participation service provision to meet a wider variety of needs.

“Framework has greatly appreciated the opportunity to work in partnership with KCGT over the past decade to jointly provide a special environment for our consumers as well as being a compelling example of organic city farming within Herne Bay. Over the years the Framework gardens’ staff have provided a special type of service that has combined consumer care, organic and gardening skills.”

“A key focus of Framework staff over the next three months will be to assist our consumers to explore options, and successfully transition to other community opportunities. These options will include different services operated by Framework, as well as options run by other organisations.”

Dr Hayes explained that, “over the time Framework has been involved at Kelmarna Gardens ... the requirements of service provision have been progressively evolving.

What may have been initially a ‘drop in centre’ style service providing larger group undertakings where people maybe spent the whole day, five days a week, are now progressively changing to services tailored to individuals and smaller groups of people who attended for a variety of specific tailored programmes”.

The shift in thinking is related to government policy as outlined in ‘Pathways to Inclusion’ and ‘Enabling Good Lives’, in parallel with developments in mental health recovery and best practice in mental health. It is also supported by the Strengths Model of practice used by Framework in all of our services. The model promotes and actively encourages people to identify strengths in all areas of life. It ensures that personal goal plans are based on dreams and aspirations of people.

Dr Hayes confirmed that “Framework’s role is to assist people with creative solutions towards achieving their desired outcomes.” He continued saying that “Currently there is an expired Licence to Occupy between Framework and Kelmarna Community Gardens Trust. KCGT is going through the process of renewing their lease with Auckland Council. The terms of the existing Licence to Occupy is that three months notice be given. It is intended that FSL will cease to operate from Kelmarna Gardens on Friday 27 February 2015.”

TODAY’S SPORTS STARS RECOGNISE PONSONBY'S STARS OF TOMORROW All Black Steven Luatua, ex-All Black Jeremy Stanley and Olympic sailor Blair Tuke were invited along to the annual Ponsonby Primary School prize-giving held last month.

“FSL will work with staff, and KCGT to explore ongoing options. It is hoped that this period of notice gives KCGT some time to consider how they will manage the gardens following Framework’s withdrawal.”

The elite sports stars presented awards to the Year 5 and 6 children who have excelled in 2014 in various sporting achievements.

Essentially the Kelmarna Gardens will still exist and operate in some form following FSL withdrawing from site. It is possible that the current environment is more helpful to the concept of community gardens than a decade ago and that KCGT will have the opportunity to investigate other community focused options for their future. F PN

School Principal, Dr. Anne Malcolm is very proud of the students’ achievements and says having Stanely, Luatua and Tuke along to recognise their achievements means so much to the students and the wider school community.

The sporting stars welcomed the opportunity to talk to the audience offering words of wisdom and insight to their successful careers which was really well received.

Steven Luatua

Steven Luatua said, “A lot of my values and understanding of sport came from my school days. Learning the foundations of training, of competition, and being part of a team is so important and what these kids learn at this age, will set them up for the next stage of their sporting career.”

Luatua says that the school should be very proud of these achievements in 2014.

“Ponsonby Primary obviously have a great sporting programme and it’s evident in the awards achieved tonight. It’s been a pleasure to be here and meet some of tomorrow’s PN sporting stars.” F Go Ponsonby Primary!

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LOCAL NEWS PART TIMERS KEEP THE WHEELS TURNING IN THE GREY LYNN COMMUNITY CENTRE OFFICE Anne Snedden and Ann Dew each work part time to keep the wheels turning in the Grey Lynn Community Centre office.

Office administrator Anne Snedden has worked at the centre for 14 years and during that time she also volunteered for six years for the Citizens Advice Bureau located at the community centre. There’s not much she doesn’t know about the community centre and she is widely regarded as the go-to person for the centre’s history, since its inception in the 70s when it operated from a prefab building on the same site. The current building, with its distinctive architecture and colourful facade, was opened in 1999. It fulfils its role as the hub of Ann Dew finance administrator at the the community with between seven Grey Lynn Community Centre. and eight thousand people either using or visiting the centre each month. Anne is a lifelong Grey Lynn resident and was born in Williamson Avenue. She lives in the original family home.

Anne’s other great interest is the New Zealand Bird Rescue Charitable Trust in Green Bay where she is a volunteer. Grey Lynn residents can support the important work of the trust by donating newspapers for lining of bird cages. A newspaper collection bin is located at the Grey Lynn Community Centre.

Finance administrator Ann Dew is a chartered accountant. She came to the community centre from the fashion industry and her background is in the corporate world. She says that she came to the position because she “fancied working somewhere where commercial imperative wasn’t the beginning and the end of everything.” She sees her work at the centre as an opportunity to give something back to the community and she enjoys the interaction with the great variety of people who use and visit the centre.

As well two office administrators, centre manager Cath Bathe-Taylor is assisted by volunteer Melissa Lowe, who has recently joined the team. On the after hours team are the chairman of the governance committee Peter Klein and treasurer Ken Stead.

James Doyle runs the popular Grey Lynn Kids’ Playgroup and Anushka Kariyawasan leads the children’s school holiday programme, which is looked forward to by local children who enjoy the varied and adventure filled programme.

PONSONBY U3A: NOVEMBER 2014 OVER THE YEARS MANY PONSONBY U3A MEMBERS HAVE VOLUNTEERED AT THE Citizens Advice Bureau in the Grey Lynn/Ponsonby area and further afield. When manager of the Grey Lynn/ Ponsonby CAB Margaret Antunovich came to speak at the November U3A meeting it was catch-up time for members she has worked with in the past and many who are still involved. “Gordon Macfarlane, for example, has been involved with CAB for 20 years,” says Margaret. “He is a valuable mentor to our volunteers, with wisdom and professionalism in all he does.” Margaret joined CAB as a volunteer in 2005 and three years later became a manager. The Grey Lynn/ Ponsonby CAB is at the Grey Lynn Community Centre in Richmond Road. It is open six days a week and is staffed by a team of over 20 volunteers.

Citizens Advice provides free help and information on a wide range of issues. Its service is professional and confidential. Last year, through its 85 branches countrywide its more than 2500 volunteers helped with over half a million client enquiries. As well as face to face and telephone help about anything you care to mention, from family matters to consumer and employment assistance, to mention a few, it offers legal clinics, a legal ear, JP services, budgeting and personal counselling. Volunteers are thoroughly trained to give nonjudgmental help and to give people the range of options for their particular enquiry. CAB also has a comprehensive website.

Citizens Advice started in England on the eve of World War II to help people cope with trauma and displacement, trace relatives and friends and understand the new rules set up in wartime. The movement continued after the war and spread to other countries.

The first CAB in New Zealand was established in 1970 at the Ponsonby Community Centre. Following a fire at the community centre it was relocated to the Grey Lynn Community Centre and was renamed Grey Lynn/ Ponsonby CAB. U3A member Georg Grabner was the 10-minute speaker. He grew up in Austria and has recently visited there to see family. “When we get together we go back in time,” said Georg. He talked about his childhood as the son and grandson of shoemakers and his own early training in the same field - just one of many areas he has worked in - and of growing up in wartime Austria through the eyes of a young boy. At age 18 he followed a friend to Canada, then over the years he moved between Canada, Austria and New Zealand, where he now lives in Freemans Bay. There will be no speakers at the December meeting as it will be the Christmas party and wind down for the year. Speakers co-ordinator Marianne Willison is working on a stellar line-up for 2015 and Judith Crimmins is encouraging our always interesting members to share something of their lives and interests with us in the 10-minute talk part of the programme. The first meeting in 2015 will be on Friday 13 February.

Guests and new members are welcome at all U3A meetings, where as well as interesting speakers, the convenors of the wide range of special interest groups give their reports and outline their groups’ activities. U3A has been described as a “learning co-operation for older people.” It encourages positive ageing by enabling its members to share many educational, creative and leisure activities. Ponsonby U3A has about 70 members and PN meets on the second Friday of the month. (PHILIPPA TAIT) F NEXT MEETING: ENQUIRIES:

9.45am, Friday 12 December at Leys Institute, St Marys Road.

Annie Webster, President, Ponsonby U3A. T: 376 2902

The school holiday programme for children aged 5 to 12, will run for three weeks in January, starting on Monday 12 January to Friday 30 January. Children can attend for a day, a week or for the entire three weeks. It runs from 8am to 3pm, with the option of a 5.30pm finishing time. There is a high ratio of staff per children and a one-to-five ratio when the group ventures off-site. The programme is a CYFS certified OSCAR holiday programme and accepts WINZ subsidy bookings (the community centre has the relevant forms). Children bring their own lunch, morning tea and a drink. A healthy afternoon tea is provided.

The preschoolers’ Grey Lynn Kids’ Playgroup will recommence on Monday 2 February.

It is a great meeting ground for parents, grandparents and nannies, while their young charges enjoy the wide range of activities and the secure and safe playground under the direction of James.

The last Grey Lynn Farmers Market will be held on Sunday 21 December, reopening on Sunday 11 January. The community centre website lists the classes and groups for 2015, including some new activities. The centre will be closed from Sunday PN 21 December, reopening on Wednesday 7 January 2015. (PHILIPPA TAIT) F GREY LYNN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 510 Richmond Road, T: 378 4908 www.greylynn.org.nz

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Manager Grey Lynn/Ponsonby Citizens Advice Bureau Margaret Antunovich (2nd left) with U3A members, from left, Prue Titchener, Maggie Whale, Jan Petersen, Marianne Willison (seated), Gordon Macfarlane and Beverley Morris.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO ITICKET Local event ticketing company, iTICKET, has won a place on the 2014 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Asia Pacific index.

LOCAL NEWS MATT AND RYAN - THEIR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS

It means the Ponsonby-based company is one of the 500 fastest growing technology organisations in Asia Pacific.

With summer holidays looming Matt O’Rourke and Ryan Harding of Grey Lynn Barfoot and Thompson are looking forward to a well deserved break at the beach!

Managing Director Reece Preston attributes the result to a constant commitment to innovation. “We are totally focused on delivering the best experience for our event promoter clients, the venues who work with us, as well as the end consumer.

Matt and Ryan have had another successful year in the local real estate market with their business set to double from the same time last year.

“Our proprietary technology is one of the key ways we can deliver on this promise and we’re constantly working to make sure we stay ahead of the game. The event ticketing industry is fiercely competitive, yet we continue to go from strength to strength with an 80% growth in revenue over the last two years. Winning a place on the Deloitte index is a tribute to our ‘can-do’ philosophy.” iTICKET is a New Zealand owned and operated company which specialises in online and mobile ticketing via its website www.iticket.co.nz, box office software, outlet sales, as well as offering on-site services at events. Its most recent innovation has allowed event promoter clients to access unique and cutting-edge ways of marketing their events to the public via social media.

The Deloitte win comes at the end of another bumper year for iTICKET. The company celebrated its 10 year anniversary and added to its list of achievements by being named a finalist in the Excellence in Innovation category at the 2014 Westpac Auckland PN Business Awards. F T: 0508 iTICKET (484-253) www.iticket.co.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

Ryan’s beach of choice is Whangamata on the Coromandel where his family have owned a batch for the past 10 years. “On those rare days, when all good things converge, the sun and tide are just right, the water is warm and clear, there can be no better beach in the world,” he says.

Ryan’s planning to get some time at ‘Whanga’ enjoying the RIB (rigid-inflatable boat) in the surf and is keen to catch a snapper or two at some stage.

Matt also looks forward to heading home and spending time around Sumner Beach in Christchurch. “That period between Christmas and New Year,” says Matt, “when it’s just swimming, BBQs and leisurely nights relaxing with friends and family, that’s the best time of the year!”

Either way, we’re sure to see more of these two in and around the local suburbs as they PN return refreshed from their beach breaks in the New Year. F MATT O’ROURKE, M: 021 375 909, m.orouke@barfoot.co.nz RYAN HARDING, M: 021 621 580, r.harding@barfoot.co.nz www.mattandryan.co.nz

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LOCAL NEWS Hello wonderful Ponsonby News readers, It’s official. Santa Claus has come back to town and he’s brought me - the Mrs! Yes indeed. Last year, the hubbie, the Elves and the reindeer ditched the cold so they could prep for Chrissie right down by the sun and the surf at Waterfront Auckland.

I couldn’t make it - I was four

episodes away from finally finishing Breaking Bad and there were lots of last minute letters coming in.

The internet at the North Pole is still a bit higgledy-piggledy (when will we get proper broadband???) and while we’re trying to catch up with the rest of the world, the kiddies sometimes still have to do the snail mail thing.

Santa came home with his very first tan. Dasher and Donner came home from their little summer jaunt and could not stop talking about it. So, I talked to the boss man and we put things in motion so that I could see what all the fuss was about. And let me tell you, I’m already having a hootenanny of a time.

I’m absolutely obsessed with Ponsonby Road. I’ve been making arty things at Toi Tu, getting my nails done then rolling down the road to have dinner at SPQR. Some of the deer did get a little confused there with some of those women in their gym tights calling out “Neigh neigh” all the time (or is it Nae-Nae?), but that aside, the prawn gremolata is to die for!

Anyway, onto the business at hand. If you popped down to the bach at Wynyard Quarter last year, we’ve stepped things up a notch. I can’t wait for you to see what I’ve done with the place. I do love a good reno - am a dabhand with a posi-drive!

I’m most looking forward to showing families the explosive magic of the Incredible Present Shrinking Machine - this is going to be so good for some of the trickier deliveries that the big guy has to make come December 24.

Life is so busy these days, isn’t it? It’s very easy for it to become all about me me me me me. One of the most important things I’m doing while I’m down in this part of the world is making sure everyone has a Merry Chrissie - which is why I want you and your family to take part in the Mrs. Claus Challenge! Rock down to Santa HQ and donate a sparkly gold coin for the Auckland City Mission. I don’t want anyone in Auckland to go without this year. On Christmas Eve, we want to make Auckland smile from Torbay to Bombay!

I’ve gotta dash. I’m doing lunch at Prego with Oliver Driver and Jennifer Ward-Lealand before a last shopping blitz at Zambesi with Prancer and Vixen - those deer really do know how to throw a look together. Then it’s headfirst counting down the hours till the big delivery day.

The eggnog is on me!

Mrs,

C. xx

Mrs Claus, Santa and the Elves will be residing at the ASB Santa’s Bach as part of the free festivities taking place at Wynyard Christmas Quarter from 5 December until Christmas Eve. For more info visit www.yourwaterfront.co.nz/christmas

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RACHAEL TE AOTONGA: LEYS INSTITUTE LIBRARY NEWS WITH SUMMER HOLIDAYS DRAWING NEAR, THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE to stock up on free entertainment than your local library.

Leys Institute will be offering the ‘Take 5’ promotion again this summer, where the friendly librarians will put together special bundles of books that you may take to enjoy. Enter the draw to win a hamper of treats during the promotion!

If you are going away over the summer and have requests on your record you don’t want to miss, you can freeze your holds through the ‘My Info’ link on the Auckland Libraries website.

Freezing a request means that your position in the request queue can be temporarily suspended. This is useful if you’re going away and will not be around to pick up the item when it arrives at the library. Just ‘unfreeze’ the item to return to the same (or better) position in the queue.

We would love to help you keep your children interested in reading over the long holidays ahead. Participation in our summer reading adventure is a great way to encourage this.

Last year 68% of children said taking part in the programme increased their enjoyment of reading, and almost all children surveyed thought their reading had improved. The best achievement we can hope to gain is increasing confidence in reading, and our fun programme means fun at the same time!

Dare to Explore - Summer Reading Programme The Auckland Libraries Summer Reading Adventure, Dare to Explore for children aged 5-13 starts again soon! It runs from 8 December to 18 January. This is a fun, FREE interactive summer reading programme that is held throughout all 55 libraries.

This year’s theme is ‘Out of this World’ and Leys Institute Library will be having numerous fun-filled events and activities such as claymation making, a Mad Hatters tea party and much more throughout December and January for children to participate in.

The summer reading programme and challenge sets can also be completed while away on holiday, children would just need to register and pick up their Dare to Explore pack from Leys Institute Library before you go. There are six challenge sets with a variety of exciting challenges, children can do as many as they like and only four challenges need to be completed to get an invite to our Dare to Explore Party in January.

Storytimes Our last weekday storytime for the year will be a special Christmas one held on Friday 19 December at 10:30am. Weekday storytimes will start back up on Tuesday 27 January.

We will continue to have Saturday Storytimes at 10.30am throughout December and January with the exception of 27 December and 3 January.

Wriggle and Rhyme Two Christmas Wriggle and Rhyme sessions, taking place on Wednesday 17 December and Thursday 18 December at 10:30am, will complete the year’s programme. These popular sessions start back up on Wednesday 4 February and Thursday 5 February at 10.30am.

The staff at the Leys Institute Library wish you all the best for the festive season. We remain open right through summer, apart from the statutory holidays and hope to see you here soon for all your holiday reading.

Drop by Leys Institute Library to pick up a calendar of activities, or check out our Facebook page and the Auckland Libraries website for more information.

(RACHAEL TE AOTONGA) F PN LEYS INSTITUTE, 20 St Marys Road, T: 09 374 1315, www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz

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JACINDA ARDERN: LABOUR LIST MP AUCKLAND

Time to act on climate change

DRAWING ON THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

I can still vividly remember my first public meeting as a political candidate - it was hosted by the Federated Farmers in Matamata.

Zoomslide motion picture studio is embarking on an ambitious and innovative public art project.

While most of the questions had been pretty tough, I knew the one on climate change was going to be especially difficult. I stood up, shared my view that climate change posed an enormous threat that we needed to tackle head on, and sat down. The crowd booed. They actually booed.

This month, internationally renowned Mumbai artist and illustrator Sameer Kulavoor will create a striking new piece of street art on the exterior of the Zoomslide building, on the corner of Great North Road and Elgin Street, Grey Lynn.

While we may have built a bit more consensus around the issue of climate change than we had even five years ago, that hasn’t necessarily translated into action on our part as a country. We had a decent Emissions Trading Scheme, but that was pretty much gutted when National came in to government, and not much has happened since.

We’ve all heard the arguments against doing more - “we’re so small, what difference will our contribution make” right through to “unless the big polluting countries act, why should we?” This month, that argument was stripped away.

In amongst all of the chatter around the G20, China and the United States surprise everyone by producing a climate accord. President Obama has also committed more than $2.5 billion to a fund specifically to assist poor countries to address climate change.

The big emitters are moving, and yet we are not.

The recent briefing to incoming Ministers from the natural resources sector said it all when it stated that “emissions in New Zealand have increased since 1990 and continue to rise.” It also pointed out that while our emissions are small, we still rank 22nd highest in the world.

Yes, climate change is one of the biggest challenges this generation will face, but it is also an opportunity for New Zealand.

Kulavoor’s observations of street life - in India and elsewhere - are at once playful and profound. His richly detailed observations, both fluid and uncannily descriptive, have earned him a worldwide reputation, with numerous commissions from the likes of Rolling Stone magazine and fashion guru Paul Smith.

As Zoomslide partner Mark Summerville puts it, “We’ve been in this building for over 10 years now and we want to celebrate the Grey Lynn community, which we’re a part of.

It’s all part of the precinct’s growing, vibrant culture. Sameer’s ability to see life as it walks past, and illustrate it in a way that’s beautiful, is the perfect opportunity for us to contribute to the place where we spend so much of our lives.”

Zoomslide is a creative led film company that focuses on storytelling. The majority of their work is based around Auckland and the Pacific communities and the mural will be a great reflection of their everyday work.

Sameer will immerse himself in Auckland’s street culture and landscape, creating drawings that will form the skeleton of his mural design, over two weeks of intensive designing and painting to complete the mural. Several senior art students from Western Springs College and Selwyn College will have the rare opportunity to work alongside PN Sameer and see how he works and interprets their neighbourhood. F www.zoomslide.com

Given our international reputation in the area of renewable energy and innovation New Zealand is in a prime position to take advantage of these opportunities, yet we are being overtaken by countries like Denmark who see the dual potential for environmental and economic gains.

As well as fixing the Emissions Trading Scheme, we should be placing a stronger emphasis on complementary measures including support for renewable energy and low-carbon technologies, energy efficiency, a clear strategy for forestry, and support for public transport and alternatives to road freight such as rail and coastal shipping. And we should also promote research and development into reducing greenhouse gases.

These measures could all help us lead the pack on the global challenge of climate change, and turn this massive challenge into an enormous opportunity. I would much rather that than being booed on the world stage, and facing the consequences of PN inaction. (JACINDA ARDERN) F JACINDA ARDERN, Labour List MP based in Auckland Central. www.jacinda.co.nz

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photography: David Maciulaitis

MIKE LEE: COUNCILLOR FOR WAITEMATA & GULF

Let’s get the trams across to Britomart TRAMS ARE BACK IN THE NEWS OF LATE. AUCKLAND TRANSPORT PLANNERS THEORISE that light rail is the best option for future rail to the airport. I disagree with that (which you might find surprising coming from such an avowed tram advocate), but putting it simply, light rail, or trams, cannot provide a rapid, single-seat journey from Auckland International Airport to the city centre. On the other hand, electric trains - Onehunga Station is only 9km from the airport - certainly could.

Trams in reality - not in theory - are now back in the Wynyard Quarter, after a break of 19 months while major road works took place. These are Waterfront Auckland’s heritage ‘Dockline’ trams - and they will be running on weekends from 10am till 4pm and Fridays 4pm - 7pm until Christmas. Then, on Boxing Day until the end of January, it will be seven days a week. After that there will be another break as the last section of roadworks gets underway for a few more months. There are also new, cheaper fares: family $5, adult $2 and child $1. Up until their enforced layoff in May 2013, despite the unfortunate over-pricing of the tickets at the start, the heritage trams, painted in traditional Auckland carnation-red livery, (with serial numbers 256 and 257, continuing on from the last Auckland trams), proved to be popular with the public. Despite the carping critics, more than 93,800 Wynyard Quarter visitors took the opportunity to take a ride on them.

It was the first time trams had run in downtown Auckland streets since 1956. This was the fateful year that the city fathers, despite public opposition, ended tram services, dismantled the overhead wires, and destroyed most of the trams, selling the rest off as batches or sheds. Not content with that, and at huge cost for that time, they ripped out the 72km of tracks that reached most of the Auckland isthmus - obviously with the intention of making damned sure they could never be brought back.

This was an Auckland tragedy. Up until that time, trams alone carried over 80 million of 100 million public transport passenger trips per year. Given that Auckland’s population was

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then only around 300,000 people and that now, 58 years later, with a population around 1.5 million, we carry only 74 million passenger trips a year - gives us some idea just how popular trams were. Indeed, allegedly car-obsessed Aucklanders up until 1956 were proportionately some of the most diligent public transport users in the world.

The waterfront trams were an Auckland Regional Council legacy project that I pushed very hard for in 2009/10. Though they have an important role as a ‘point of difference’, and ‘place-making’, bustling around the developing Wynyard Quarter, they were never meant to be confined there. The whole objective, modest enough I thought at the time, was to get the line to the Britomart Transport Centre, where with state-of-the-art new trams, with super capacitors that don’t need overhead wires, they could be transformed from a visitor novelty to a serious public transport mode, running up Queen Street, where there are major pollution and noise issues from buses - and even along Tamaki Drive. Though perhaps we should have been looking at Ponsonby.

But, extending the trams to Britomart was one of the most popular aspects of the 2011 Waterfront Plan. When the public was asked about this, 43% of submitters responded with ‘Do Now’, 30 % said ‘Do Soon’ and 13% said ‘Do Later’ and only 13% said ‘Don’t Support’. Three years on, despite this 73% or even 86% mandate, due to budget cutbacks and squabbling between Waterfront Auckland, Auckland Transport and Auckland Council, nothing has been done to get the tramway across to Quay Street and past the cruise ship wharves to Britomart. While some half a billion dollars is being spent by the Council on a questionable IT system which is meant to be ‘transformational’, no-one seems to be willing to spend the $30m to get the tramway across to Te Wero and on to Britomart. Now that would be transformational. Happy Christmas everyone.

PN (MIKE LEE) F Councillor for Waitemata and Gulf www.mikelee.co.nz

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Emily Stephens and Mathew Philips vision for the Ponsonby Fire Station site

MAKING THE VILLAGE URBAN A UNITEC Architecture Students’ Project Intensification versus urban sprawl - that’s one of the major questions exercising the minds of planners, architects, and politicians Auckland wide. No one wants any more rural land than absolutely necessary covered in concrete, creating more urban jungles.

But neither do most people want to be jammed up in characterless high rise apartments, ruining urban amenity.

UNITEC’S Master of Architecture students were given a brief to design buildings for Ponsonby, with the theme ‘Making the Village Urban.’ Ponsonby News visited their studio at UNITEC and discussed the project with Emily Stephens, Mathew Philips, and Ollie Ayrey.

Julie Stout, Adjunct Professor, Unitec, and Krystina Kaza, were the students’ professional supervisors. Ponsonby News is grateful to Julie for giving us access to the students, and allowing us to showcase their work. One more year and Emily, Mat and Ollie will be Masters of Architecture, and if these projects are any indication, they will be sought-after young architects on the Auckland scene.

Mat and Emily produced a stunning design complex for the old fire station site on Ponsonby Road, stretching back to back on to Lincoln Street. They started with the intention of intensifying the site, but with the clear desire to ensure good open space, play areas for kids, a basketball court, retail, offices and residential apartments. The apartment sizes vary to allow studio accommodation as well as one, two, and three bedroom units.

Ollie Ayrey and Sam Paterson’s vision for Tole Street to Summer Street on Ponsonby Road.

Oliver Ayrey and Sam Paterson designed a four storey tiered block for Ponsonby Road, adjacent to the Pumpkin Patch shop. As part of their design ethic they wanted to “lessen the blow from villa to apartment”. They designed roof top gardens, a typical villa type backyard with a laneway behind, a shared front yard semi-private, plus retail and hospitality. One nice touch of Sam and Ollie’s complex was the design of spaces to encourage ‘incubator retail.’ Above the retail and office spaces the residential apartments were designed with different material facades including concrete and charred timber. The back of the complex bounds on to Lincoln Street villas, and Ollie and Sam were keen to present a low rise abutment to those villas.

As Emily told us, “The driver of the project was to have plenty of free open space, to have urban spaces user friendly, places for people to hang out, places for parents to bring kids to play. There will be no need to buy a drink or a coffee to use the space.

Bring your own lunch.” The complex would include bike parking. The density would be 52 persons per hectare, not as dense as some new apartment blocks, but a big step up from quarter acre villa sections. Developers may not think it is economically viable, but Mat and Emily insist it is do-able - there are numerous European examples.

Ollie and Sam won the judges’ award - the Urban Auckland Enlightenment Award - judged by clever architect Richard Naish, who has a keen sensitivity to the Ponsonby area, with work modern but informed by character architecture, Nicola Herbst (award-winning environmental architect) and Marco Creners of Sampson Corporation. Ollie thought the judges liked their treatment of laneways “a la Melbourne.”

There is a keen market for apartments that bridge the gap between the 500 square metre villa section and the tiny units with no outdoor spaces, no garden, no private BBQ area, and no greenery. Empty nesters may not want to continue mowing lawns, but they do want amenity - enough quiet, enough space, enough greenery, easy walkability to city facilities. Older folk trading down also want to think their kids can be somewhere handy if they want to be, and don’t have to head off to the sticks to buy a property.

The intensification of Ollie’s complex was 120 per hectare, a pretty solid number, but because they have allowed such generous open spaces, it is not as intensive as some new apartment blocks including some on Great North Road. Once again, like Emily and Mat’s concept, it is a step to higher density on Ponsonby Road “but a sort of compromise.” Ollie acknowledged that New Zealanders have an aversion to rapid change, but insisted change is inevitable. It is just a question of making sure change is actually progress, not just change for change’s sake. “We need to do something,” says Ollie, “urban sprawl is ruining New Zealand.”

It is a compromise, Emily and Mat agree, but they feel it is a sensible transition away from the current 300 - 500 metre section without going the whole hog to a tiny bolt hole.

As Emily told us, “more people leads on to more urban opportunities - cycling, trams, walkways, boutique cinemas, shops, cafes at your door.”

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We tend to be pessimistic about our youth, harking back to a so-called better past, but we are actually in the hands of talented and innovative young professionals like Ollie, Mat and Emily, and Ponsonby News would assert that their contributions will be a decided PN asset to New Zealand’s future. (JOHN ELLIOTT) F PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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DEIRDRE TOHILL: LANDMARK BUILDINGS

George Courts Back in 1886 two brothers, George and Frederick, set up a drapery shop in Auckland.

Three years later their brother John joined them by which time the business had expanded to a second store. Frederick retired soon after John’s arrival but the firm continued to trade as Court Brothers in K’Road and Queen Street. later in 1902 they had three outlets so the partnership was amicably dissolved, George remaining in K’Road and John taking over the two Queen Street shops. Over succeeding years, George took over several adjacent shops, expanding his range of merchandise to include shoes, corsets, hats, cosmetics and toys. The time came to construct a new building that would be a department store rather than just a drapery shop. His real estate now covered a site near the Pitt Street intersection that was in a commanding position and dominated the Auckland skyline.

The new building was designed by Clinton Savage who drew inspiration from Otto Wagner of Vienna. Wagner was the chief architect for much of Vienna’s rebuilding and is generally acknowledged as the founder and leader of the modern movement in European architecture. He insisted on breaking with tradition by focussing on function, and used the newest materials such as reinforced concrete and aluminium. Clinton was also influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and the new building’s design had similarities to Selfridges in Oxford Street. Reinforced concrete was used in its construction and at night the electric lighting was visible across the whole city. Huge metal framed windows let in sunlight and in the centre of the building a grand cast iron staircase imported from Britain was so wide several people could walk it abreast to the six upper levels.

The huge emporium had three and a half acres of floor space and accommodated 350 staff, 200 of them women whom female customers were happier dealing with when it came to purchasing lingerie, home sewing requirements, dresses and hats. The five spacious oak panelled lifts, large enough to accommodate prams, were operated by uniformed attendants who would announce what products were sold on each floor.

Those were the days of ‘afternoon teas’ and at George Courts they were served on the top floor in a spacious room overlooking the children’s playground and the roof garden with its breathtaking views of the city and the Waitemata Harbour.

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By 1928 the adjacent Radio Broadcasting Company located its towers on the George Court roof and the store capitalised on radio’s popularity by sponsoring many events that could be broadcast from its premises. These included dance music, lectures and competitions. The children’s playground hosted a Wizard of Oz party to coincide with the release of the MGM film. The George Courts Christmas Parade and Christmas Grotto in the store plus all the other happenings it sponsored, provided the best free entertainment on offer in town. As a result of its role in broadcasting, during the Second World War, Central Air Raid Command fitted out a reinforced room in the basement as a shelter.

In its heyday it was certainly the equal of stores in larger cities overseas and more than rivalled its Queen Street counterparts such as Milne & Choyce, Smith & Caughey’s, and John Court’s. It even gave the Farmers a run for its money with a country order department in the basement that dealt with 1800 mail order clients every year. Each dispatch to distant parts included an illustrated catalogue. When Friday night shopping was restricted to K’Road, George Courts’ patronage simply boomed. After all it was the only store in town that stocked uniforms for every school throughout the city!

Clinton Savage’s design with its cubic forms and clean functional lines was a true exemplar of Wagner’s vision. Clinton later became sidetracked from designing on his own account when he was appointed Auckland Director of the State Advances Corporation, and more’s the pity, only supervised large buildings for the Ministry of Works.

PN (DEIRDRE TOHILL) F

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

TRAVEL BREAKS: THE NEW THERAPY!

NEXT ISSUE... FEBRUARY 2015!

DEADLINE 20 JANUARY 2015 www.ponsonbynews.co.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

Heidi Heart Kauta tells us she was in SEATTLE with her copy of Ponsonby News.

"I was going to take it to the Playboy mansion but thought it wouldn't get printed haha".

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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PONSONBY NEWS READERS ARE EVERYWHERE

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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.

30 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

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PONSONBY NEWS READERS ARE EVERYWHERE

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1-3. Roger Neill was our Finance Director back in LONDON and he was in Ponsonby last February. He has just emailed me a series of photos taken of The Poppies at the Tower of London telling me, “a wow sight to be sure - and poignant for me as my own Grandfather died in Flanders in 1917”.

Ponsonby News, “We did not know much about Cuba and it was a bit of an adventure, but we found the place to be great. The people are friendly and the weather was good, never below 30 degrees. The photo was taken on the roof of our hotel in Havana, looking toward the old parliament building which is under renovation, much like 80% of Cuba.”

4. Cobey Bennett, a local pupil sent in this photo of Ponsonby Intermediate students holding the Ponsonby News in front of the Big Budda in HONG KONG. “We were there for a school exchange at the end of September”, he explained.

7-9. Grey Lynn resident Asha Vaidy recently travelled to the UK (via SINGAPORE) for her brother’s wedding. They visited both London and Paris and sent several shots of her sons, Shaan, aged 10 and Raneel aged seven. The boys are photographed outside the Louvre in Paris, unfortunately on a cold and wet day. Asha told us, “We also travelled to New York to visit my sister-in-law and her family. We left the magazine with her to enjoy and have a taste of ‘home’. We did manage to remember to take the mag with us on our last day when we went to the United Nations (UN).

5. Herne Bay resident Owen Young sent us this great shot of his wife Lily Young, flying the Ponsonby flag in the Thar Desert, INDIA. The view of Jaisalmer Fort is taken from the rooftop of the Tokyo Palace Hotel, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan in October.

6. Errol Koster runs Brouder Batteries based at 356 Gt North Road in Grey Lynn.

He and his wife have just returned from a trip and they ended up in CUBA. As he tells The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

“Hopefully you find one of these photos worthy of publishing in my favourite local mag!”

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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ROSS THORBY: SEA FEVER MOST PEOPLE WON’T BE SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT THIS IS MY favourite time of the year, though not necessarily because of the excess of lights, decorations and Morris Dancing that is invading my street but the proliferation of cruise advertising arriving in my letterbox joining the steady trickle of brochures building up in my lounge.

Evenings spent surrounded by open pages expounding the virtues of ships of all shapes, varieties and itineraries, the steady hum of the electricity meter in the background as it spins on its axis feeding various coloured lights and snow machines and the excited peal of children’s laughter from the street washing through the house.

The cruise season is well and truly upon us and it promises to be another bumper one.

We have all heard the figures exhorting its economic advantages, 113 voyages, and 190,800 passengers injecting an estimated $159.8m to our economy. A fact that has the city’s accountants rubbing their hands in glee. But these facts aren’t as important to me, as the pleasure gained from walking down to the waterfront each day to wonder at the latest ship tied up at Queens Wharf. The largest moving objects made by man.

Soaring cliffs of steel and glass, topped with climbing walls, golf ranges, outdoor cinemas and more restaurants and bars than Ponsonby Road.

A record number of new ships will be visiting us for the first time, and our newly renovated Shed 10 will be hosting most, though not all. The Celebrity Solstice and Voyager of the Seas are still using Queens Wharf beside the Hilton Hotel and the Queen Mary 2 is still on Jellicoe Wharf. Word is that the city will have to do more work on its cruise terminal if we are going to be able to competitively service these larger ships visiting our shores.

From a passenger’s point of view, it is easier now to board a ship in our own fair city than it has ever been as companies are including Auckland as an embarkation port and even more ships are based in Australasia over the season. Some companies are even doing ‘taster’ cruises of three days or so giving those nervous of the experience the opportunity to try a short cruise without too much agony to their equilibrium... or wallets.

P & O are one company offering such cruises. Some, just a leisurely jaunt to the Bay of Islands, or out into the gulf then back into port. These are known within the industry as Cruises to Nowhere, or even, ‘Booze Cruises’. A friend did one last year and the captain decided to take the ship down to White Island avoiding a weather pattern and the passengers were treated to the thrill of a volcanic island spewing ash and smoke that few of us get to see. The four day Comedy Cruise I took with a friend a couple of years ago took us out into the gulf anchoring on the other side of the Barrier for a couple of days, the comedy of which was not lost on us, though a great time was still had by all.

WHAT DOES TRAVELFILIA MEAN? From the Greek filéo (dear, love) filia (en. philia) is one of the four words the Greeks used to express love, so TRAVELFILIA is the passion of travel, to discover new territories, people and cultures.

Southern Italian Tour (or Italian Southernscape Tour) This is a two week fully escorted tour from the majesty of Rome down to the enchanting Amalfi Coast and through the stone town of Matera until the tour touches the southern region on the east coast.

The Puglia region has been only recently noticed by international tourism for its genuine Italian style, and its most appreciated regional food and its historical character and legacy. National Geographic and Lonely Planet added it to the Best World Destination list in 2014.

You’ll experience world heritage sites, unforseen natural wonders, ancient hamlets with incredible stories and glorious coastlines. You will meet local entrepreneurs, learn about amazing food and wine productions, discover typical and unique architecture, indulge in cultural experiences or enjoy the quiet of a manor farm where you will be hosted.

Enquire at info@travelfilia.com for detailed itinerary and cost. Departure: end of PN May 2015 and mid September 2015 www.travelfilia.com F

Sailing in and out of the City of Sails is an experience not to be missed. Overseas passengers arriving here are thrilled by being berthed right in the middle of town. An uncommon experience with most ports where arrivees are oft treated to a laborious drive of an hour or so in from a container port situated miles away from anywhere, let alone the city’s attractions.

And for us the joy of just walking down the hill and across the park to board a ship is part of the fun. Standing on the decks of a ship and watching the cables being thrown off as the ship drifts out to sit hovering at the end of the wharf with the buildings of Queen and Quay streets still close enough to touch before accelerating and progressing past Tamaki drive, around Bean Rock, past the Heads, then one last turn out into the gulf. The Sky Tower, the last landmark blinking above the headland and with pitch black surrounding you, save the necklace of lights reaching up into the bays.

Of course the joy of coming back into the city and seeing it all over again in a few days’ time and to take into account that you spent less onboard than a good weekend back on land only adds to the experience. Before you know it, you’ll be hooked.

PN Eyes peeled, ‘Cruise Sale Season’ has begun. (ROSS THORBY) F

32 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

TRAVEL BREAKS: THE NEW THERAPY!

MYANMAR UNCOVERED

by Caroline Clegg, World Journeys

Rudyard Kipling’s oft quoted line that Myanmar is quite unlike any other land you know about, is as accurate today as when it was written.

Myanmar has its own vibe, and is coming into its own after years of being largely off limits to tourists. Recently moving towards democracy, and with their beloved Aung San Suu Kyi now free and active in politics, now is the time to visit Myanmar.

Although tourism is hotting up, services and hotels are struggling to keep pace with demand. Therefore, a most comfortable and enjoyable way of exploring Myanmar is aboard a luxury river cruiser. The name of the Belmond-operated luxury river cruiser ‘Belmond Road to Mandalay’ clearly reflects the importance of the Ayeyarwady River as the country’s main transport route. Relax on the top deck and watch river life glide by, stopping to take excursions during the day, and retreating to comfortable cabins and delicious cuisine each night.

Most visitors fly into Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city and home to the absolutely dazzling Shwedagon Pagoda, a golden Buddhist temple that draws Pilgrims from around the world. A walking tour of Yangon reveals crumbling colonial architecture to rival that of Havana, busy street markets, and traditional dress still being worn on a daily basis. Wonderful accommodation options in Yangon range from the boutique Belmond Governor’s Residence, with its teak construction and beautiful pool, to the grand Sule Shangri-La where high ranking officials host swanky weddings at weekends.

River cruises run mainly between Mandalay and Bagan, with longer itineraries extending to fascinating landscapes further north, and others westward on the picturesque Chindwin River. Beautiful views out over Mandalay and surrounds can be enjoyed from the Sagaing Hills, and a must-see is the Kuthodaw Pagoda, home to multitudes of marble tablets telling the story of Buddha - the ‘world’s biggest book’. Mandalay artisans are renowned for their gold-leaf beating, silk weaving, and marble carving. At the end of the day, take in sunset with the locals at the picturesque 200-year-old U Bein Bridge.

Wherever you go in Myanmar, temples are never far away, and no more so than in magical Bagan, where over 2000 temples dot the landscape as far as the eye can see another awe-inspiring sunset and a significantly moving moment.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

Other off-ship excursions may be to countryside villages, largely unchanged for centuries.

Chickens cluck about your feet as you stroll the streets, with nothing more on sale for tourists than a cup of tea at the busy village tea-house. Here horse-drawn carts are a common mode of transport, and a smile at a stranger will always be genuinely returned.

It pays to keep an open mind in Myanmar. Do visit that next temple, as it will undoubtedly reveal something surprisingly different. Do realise that many still live in poverty, so try to buy your mementos from small local artisans. And do be prepared to fall in love with a country of great traditions, unfailingly friendly people, and (we hope) a bright future. F PN

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY BOLU TEA - A DESTINATION TEA STORE For tea lovers the pleasure of sitting down with a cup of good tea can’t be overstated, especially if the tea is loose leaf and organic.

Bolu Tea takes pride in stocking a comprehensive range of quality fair-trade teas. Their teas are carefully selected to ensure the product is consistently first class. They’ve personally visited the organic plantations where their tea is sourced and know the suppliers so you can be sure that the tea is grown under conditions that are fair to workers - Bolu also makes sure some of their profits go back into the community that grows the teas.

And now the company has now opened its very own Bolu Store in Orakei, Auckland.

Discover a wide range of accessories like Bodum teapots or the popular Sue Dasler cups - ideal for that special gift you’ve been looking for.

If you’d like to treat yourself, come in to test some of their organic and biodynamic loose leaf teas and get some expert advice. Bolu is also registered and licensed under the Tea Board of India for Darjeeling Order your choice of tea via the Bolu website or visit the new Kepa Road store between 11am and 4pm Monday to Saturday or come to one of their tastings between 11am and 1pm (except Thursdays).

Bolu Tea has award-winning packaging, which makes it ideal for gifting and speciality hampers are available for Christmas. Whether you prefer delicate white tea, the invigorating black or something in between, when you sit down with friends to enjoy a fragrant Bolu brew you can be sure of a delicious, healthful cup of tea. Once you’ve PN tried one of Bolu’s teas or special blends you’ll never look at a tea bag again. F BOLU TEA STORE, 301B Kepa Road, Orakei, Auckland, T: 09 578 0828 www.bolutea.co.nz

DON’T MISS THE FEBRUARY

PONSONBY

NEWS+ DEADLINE

COPY DEADLINE: Tuesday, 20 January PUBLISHED: Friday, 6 February

FEBRUARY SPECIAL FEATURES + JERVOIS ROAD + MAINTAINING GOOD HEALTH + VALENTINE’S DAY (14 FEBRUARY) + PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT

TO BOOK ADVERTISING: ask about our premium positions!

Jo Barrett on 021 324 510 or Jessie Kollen on 021 166 2002 t: 09 361 3356 or 09 378 8553 e: joannebarrett@xtra.co.nz e: jessiekollen@gmail.com w: www.ponsonbynews.co.nz

34 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY QUALITY MULTI-PURPOSE KNIVES Since 1890, generations of Opinel cutlers have forged metal utensils in traditional style.

This family owned company, based in Chambery, France, is still committed to producing authentic quality knives in an environmentally friendly manner.

The simple, versatile and efficient The Essentials small knives make every-day cooking much easier. The blades are manufactured in Modified Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel with high carbon content for excellent cutting quality and resistance to corrosion. Then handles are made from natural beech or tinted hornbeam covered in a protective varnish for excellent resistance to water.

Sets include: Paring Knife: Multi-purpose knife for slicing, chopping and peeling fruit and vegetables and for trimming meat.

Serrated Knife: Micro-serrated blade is suitable for slicing tomatoes, hard boiled eggs or kiwi fruit.

Vegetable Knife: Curved blade including a serrated scraper on the opposite side of the cutting edge. It is used to clean organic young shoots and vegetables to retain all their vitamins.

Peeler: For peeling fruit and vegetables rapidly and efficiently, also suitable for right and left-handed users.

Available in classic beech-wood or summer colours they can be found at all good kitchen stores. www.domag.co.nz F PN

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY THE VEG FRIENDLY CHALLENGE Finalist: Richmond Road Cafe It’s the great Ponsonby News Veg Friendly Challenge, in which Ponsonby-area cafes and restaurants line up to be judged on their vegetarian friendliness. What does that mean?

Simply this: it’s a new day in food-land, what with an increasing number of restaurants offering a complete vegetarian menu, and a more ‘green’ perspective to eating generally.

It’s possible to be nutritious and delicious, and we’re going to name the cafes and restaurants that cater well to vegetarians and vegans, whether or not they’ve also got meat on their menus. Each month, we’ll review one of our favourite ‘veg friendly’ eateries, and at the end of it all, we’ll name an overall winner, and our coveted Veg Friendly Challenge Top 10.

Slap me with a wet fish (but make sure it’s a rubber one, I don’t believe in piscine cruelty).

To be brutally, painfully honest, I would never have considered the iconic (overused word, but it’s true in this case) Richmond Road Cafe as a contender for the Ponsonby News Veg Friendly Challenge, had my reviewing/eating companion Martin Leach not dragged me there. I’ve got this thing about prodigious success, and Richmond Road Cafe is part of the Hip Group, whose amazing success extends to a number of venues around the greater Auckland area, including the acclaimed Takapuna Beach Cafe, and Provenance in Kumeu. Sometimes, success breeds success but the product is resolutely ordinary, and my guess was that the Hip Group cafes fell into this category. I was wrong.

Turns out that the Richmond Road Cafe has a really decent number of vegetarian options on its menu, although they don’t advertise them as such. Personally, I would like to see some kind of code on the menu so I don’t have to trudge through all the meat -oriented options, but as our super-friendly waiter explains, the menus are minimalist because they actually like to engage with their customers and explain about their dishes.

Isn’t that extraordinary? I’ve lost count of the deep tired exhalations of breath and barely suppressed rage in various restaurants when I’ve dared to ask about vegetarian menu options, or if something that appeared to be vegetarian was indeed disguising something sinister! It was great to encounter a table service person who was genuinely keen to help make our experience there a superb one, and it certainly was interesting to hear how they get most of their ingredients from their own gardens out in Kumeu, and source other ingredients as close to home as possible.

Our excellent wait person Sasha, herself vegetarian, admitted that the cafe isn’t set up for vegans, although she expressed admiration for the fully vegan Little Bird Unbakery.

What she can do, however, is explain exactly what’s in your vegetarian dish, and that’s still a relative rarity.

So, what did we eat? I had been awake most of the night being tortured by a six-week old baby, so I got myself in the mood with a reliably good soy latte (Allpress coffee) while Martin went for the Superberry and Flaxseed Blended Smoothie ($7.50). While the quantity wasn’t immense, neither was the price, and he found it both refreshing and palate-stimulating.

Because it was a warm spring-into-summer day, we ordered the raw chopped salad with pine nuts and green goddess, and the smoked eggplant with labneh and sesame ($18 each). We were both relieved that the green goddess wasn’t Grey Lynn’s famous dispenser of environmentally friendly toiletries, Wendyl Nissen, but a pastel-green salad dressing consisting of mayo, sour cream, chives and lemon juice and sometimes anchovy (but we were assured that it was wholly vegetarian on this occasion).

It felt both naughty and healthy at the same time, with its creamy green goddess and leafy goodness, and, let’s face it, pine nuts never go to waste.

But it was left in the shade by the rather sensational smoked eggplant dish, of which every morsel was a kind of taste sensation. The labneh (an impossible word denoting a type of Greek yoghurt in which the whey has been removed in the straining process) had an unusual but pleasing texture and a marvellously piquant taste, and the sesame sauce, while the black-on-black colour might have been offputting to some, worked in perfect accord with the delicate, melt-in-mouth morsels of fried eggplant (don’t you just love eggplant season?).

In short, we were both well impressed. Next time, I might get a side of hand cut chips or a bit of toast to get my carb count, but that’s not a complaint, simply a note to self. Open 7 days, 7am-4pm. Licensed. (GARY STEEL) F PN

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RICHMOND ROAD CAFE, 318 Richmond Road, T: 09-360-5559 www.richmondrdcafe.co.nz Do you run a cafe or restaurant that does vegetarian really well? If so, let me know on the email opposite. We’ll be sure to check out your eatery. And don’t be shy, okay?

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

GARY STEEL: VEG FRIENDLY

Just the good stuff Attentive readers may remember that last month I talked about bug excretions in processed foods.

Along with a myriad of dubious chemical substances in certain products, manufacturers are wont to use ground-up bugs for colouring in candies and ice-cream, and said bug excretions are used for a similar purpose (the relevant words for the genuinely curious are ‘cochineal’ and ‘shellac’).

My dismay really wasn’t so much about the bugs (although that made me dry heave just a little) but the fact that very few companies are owning up to it, instead hiding behind chemical codes or words created to obscure the true origin of the ingredients.

Exactly the same problem exists with pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements, but to a greater degree. While many of the pills and potions we dutifully ingest are said to help us with ailments, or add to the sum total of our nutritional requirements, most of them are devoid of any information about the origins of their constituent parts.

Prescription medicines almost never contain ingredients lists (why is that, exactly?) so there’s no reliable way to know whether they contain animal products in any way, shape or form. Capsules are typically made with gelatine, a derivation from the skin of cows and pigs, while miscellaneous medicines also often contain stearates and glycerin that, once again, commonly is obtained from animal and dairy sources.

But the big thing here is that they’re just not telling us, and the vitamin/supplement industry is just as bad. My wife had been taking a multivitamin pill made by Nature’s Own, an Australian health food company that happens to be owned by a huge, multinational pharmaceutical corporation, and on a hunch I contacted them to ask whether their multivitamins were vegetarian. The label encouragingly said: “No added yeast, gluten, lactose, artificial colours or flavours, artificial sweeteners or dairy products”, but there was nothing specifically to state that the multis were vegetarian.

Alarmingly, Nature’s Own’s Naturopath Department responded: “If a product is suitable for a vegetarian it will have ‘no animal derived products’ included within the ‘no added’ statement.” And: “In regards to vegetarian capsules, generally a product will state on the label if it is a veggie capsule. If it doesn’t state veggie capsule on the label, it will generally be gelatine.”

Erica rightly points out that Lifestream is a food-based supplement company, rather than a vitamin pill pusher: its product range includes pure, organic spirulina, seaweed oil, aloe vera juice, acai berries and many other so-called superfoods. The food angle is an important distinction. A litany of horrors can hide under the huge (and invariably unreadable small-print) ingredient list on typical multivitamins. What the general public don’t realise is that most supermarket vitamin C, for instance, is chemically synthesised from corn glucose, where Lifestream gets its vitamin C from acerola berries.

She warns that vegans often don’t realise that even vitamin D supplements are usually made from lanolin, where the Lifestream version is sourced from lichen. Much worse is the average calcium pill or capsule, which is ground-up animal bones, where Lifestream gets its calcium - and yes, this does sound rather bizarre - from a sea vegetable called lithothamnium calcaereum!

To my mind their most exciting product is Omega3, which turns the conventional logic that fish oil is the best source of important omega 3 on its head. While flax oil contains omega 3, it doesn’t have both EPA and DHA complexes. But Erica points out that the only reason fish oil is so good is because the fish eat an algae that contains the all-important omega 3. Lifestream’s Omega3 capsules simply harvest the oil from the algae, rather than the fish. Brilliant! And vegetarian!

Lifestream is a lean operation with around 20 staff in New Zealand, but their products are available throughout New Zealand in pharmacies and health food shops, and their effectively slick packaging makes them look like world-beaters. Which they are, in a sense: the company is now exporting to many countries, including the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe. Back in Ponsonby, however, I’m just happy that I can source real plant-based supplements from a genuinely ethical New Zealand company. (GARY STEEL) Gary Steel is an Auckland-based journalist who runs online vegetarian resource www.doctorfeelgood.co.nz. He can be contacted via beautmusic@gmail.com

At least they were honest when contacted, but in that case, I reckon their packaging is dishonest by omission.

Which is what led me to head across the bridge to Northcote to chat with the resident naturopath (otherwise known as New Product Development/Regulatory Manager) at Lifestream, a New Zealand supplement company that has been going for donkey’s years, and was the first outfit to introduce that wonder substance spirulina to our nation. Every single line that Lifestream produces is proudly vegetarian/vegan, so it seemed an apt time to get a few niggling questions raised by the above unsetting business answered.

Erica Lahmert clearly knows her stuff, and she has to: as Regulatory Manager she has to make sure that stated beneficial claims of Lifestream products don’t contravene any rules either here or in Australia, and those rules are a bit complex and quite different on either side of the Tasman.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

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JULIE BONNER: NEWS FROM FROG POND FARM Hey ho goodbye spring... it was one of the windiest and dampest I can remember.

I’m so looking forward to summer, tossing off the long sleeve Ts, pulling on a straw sun hat, and lathering myself in anticipation with loads of sun cream.

Mentioning summer and the need to change the attire, our two plump Dorper x sheep are minus their rather heavy woollen coats and are now sporting sleek short cut summer cardies which are looking particularly cool and glamorous. Big thanks to our fabulous shearer Murray.

Frog Pond Farm has been a busy place lately. Leo who is a neighbour and a gun with a chainsaw called over a few weeks back. Clad in a pair of shorts, t-shirt, chaps, visor with earmuffs, protective glasses and boots, and toting a massive forestry chainsaw with a 36” bar... it was time to drop a couple of our pine trees which were hogging the hillside above our duck pond.

Camera in hand, I fired off several shots of a pine as it was falling and held my breath as it slammed into the ground.

The trees about 70 - 80 feet high hit the deck with a loud cracking sound, branches burying themselves into the dirt. They were then trimmed, blocked and are now ready for splitting.

It’s so nice to have some help. Meet Jeff another great bloke and the owner of a serious wood chipper, who dropped by after the felling of those pines and mulched all our olive cuttings, pine branches and a host of carbon bits that had been cluttering up the place.

Now I have three rather good sized piles of mulch which I shall use on the veg garden and surrounds. Not the pine mind you... no way, this is too acidic to go anywhere near my veg plot, with the exception of the strawberries of course, which have grown into rather large clumps and are covered in berries and netting.

All our beds for now have been planted - salad plants and the chillies have finally made the dirt, which was prepped prior to planting with loads of organic material, coffee grounds, rok solid and then a thick layer of mulch. The chillies are enjoying their new home with eggplants, geranium, zinnias, marigold, basil, marjoram and I shall be poking in some parsley too. This bed is over planted of course - but chillies like it humid. And trust me they will get that!

As for my spuds - hmm, my planting in mounds was a mini disaster thanks to my escapee chooks so I dug them up and replanted them with comfrey in some newly dug trenches.

They are now growing gang busters which might be something to do with the weekly doses of manure tea. I have also mulched the plants with straw, homemade compost loaded with worms and I’m considering using my olive mulch here too. And why not, I’ve got plenty of it!

Sadly our lovely rooster Collin is no longer with us, such a shame. But he did leave us with five incredibly cute chicks of unknown gender who are happily esconced in our backyard in a hutch with their mother ‘Gladys’. They get loads of attention, a kids menu daily and there is a housekeeper on hand namely me, to ensure that their quarters are kept spick and span! Oh the joys of having loads of birds.

Speaking of the latter... there are lots of those wild turkeys about too. I’ve seen them ‘hanging’ out in a neighbour’s paddock - talking turkey no doubt as they graze the hillside casually gazing at our orchard and dreaming about summer fruit PN salads. Happy gardening! (JULIE BONNER) F If you are interested in more madness from our place, or perhaps some gardening tips, then check out my blog: www.frogpondfarm.co.nz

38 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY SWEET TREATS AND DELIGHTS AT PHILIPPE’S CHOCOLATES At Philippe’s, they love to celebrate Christmas! They have gift boxes that suit every budget, along with a large selection of sweet treats to help you enjoy the big day.

Starting with the cake, their specialty is the bûche de Noel. The bûche is the traditional Christmas dessert in France and so they are pleased to pursue this tradition this year, bringing it to locals here. They’ve chosen to customise the recipe for a light and yummy mousse cake that will suit the warmer climate of the New Zealand summer.

They offer the choice between strawberry and white chocolate bûche and dark chocolate and apricot bûche. Both are available in three different sizes and as individual sizes over the Christmas period. They suggest you come and try a slice of each in order to decide which one you would like to order for the whole family.

Also during December, don’t miss out on their Christmas mince pies, the dark, white or milk chocolate Santa, chocolate lollipops, Christmas tree meringues and all other Christmas goodies starting from only $2.50!

And because Philippe’s don’t want to forget anyone with special dietary requirements their chocolates and truffles are all gluten free (as well as some of their cakes) with no added sugar. They also offer vegan alternatives, and if you are not sure just ask their PN staff to help you choose the right option. F PHILIPPE’S CHOCOLATE, 295 Great North Road, Grey Lynn, Open 7 days.

T: 09 376 1754 info@philippechocolate.co.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

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PHIL PARKER: WHOSE WINE IS IT ANYWAY?

Not only wine... but also cheese I REMEMBER AS A STUDENT IN THE 1970S, ATTENDING A ‘WINE AND CHEESE’ FUNCTION held by Auckland University students. It consisted of scruffy long-haired people drinking bad red wine accompanied by bits of Colby on toothpicks. Happily, New Zealand has come a long way since then with both its cheese production and wine quality. And surely, two of our major industries - dairy and wine, should complement each other. I’m not a major foodie, but I do know a few and have picked up a bit of knowledge along the way.

These cheese matches are just a suggestion. As for most food and wine matching, it’s all about personal preference and experimentation.

FESTIVE FUN Get into the Christmas spirit at your place - make these edible festive table decorations. The kids will love ‘em!

Yealands PGR Awatere Aromatic Blend 2014 $15.99 Something quite different from Yealands - a blend of three grape varieties: 49% Pinot Gris, 32% Riesling, 19% Gewürztraminer. Aromas of pear and red apple skin, with flavours of ripe pears and citrus fruits, with a tangy dry finish.

Cheese match - Puhoi Feta.

Ngatarawa Stables Pinot Gris Hawkes Bay Pinot Gris 2014 $15.00 A medium-bodied style stone fruit and ripe pear aromas. Nashi pear and white peach flavours and a clean crisp finish.

Cheese match - Kapiti Triple Cream Brie.

Matawhero Gisborne Gewürztraminer 2014 $15.00 On the nose, mineral, spice, tonic water and rosewater. On the palate, dry and crisp, with spicy clove, lychee fruit, lime and quinine.

Cheese match - Mainland Vintage Cheddar.

Heron’s Flight Matakana Dolcetto Rosé 2014 $24.00 Vivid raspberry juice pink colour, on the nose a hint of strawberries and minerality. In the mouth, quite surprisingly rich with spice and red fruit flavours a hint of sweetness and a dry finish.

Cheese match - Whitestone Creamy Havarti.

Catalina Sounds Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 $27.00 Aromas of toast, blackberry fruit and spice. Silky ripe palate with flavours of red berry fruits and black cherry.

Cheese match - Kapiti Kahikatea Camembert.

Mountford Estate Pinot Noir 2009 $67.00 (approx) Starts off on the nose with savoury and fruitcake aromas and hint of tawny port. One sip and I’m seduced - gorgeously soft and integrated flavours of fruit cake, Maraschino cherry, sweet liquorice and mocha.

Cheese match - Bouton d’Or Camembert.

Fernado De Castilla Pedro Ximinez Sherry 750 ml $34 Pedro Ximinex (PX for short) is a famous Spanish grape variety from which the eponymous rich, sweet sherry is vinted. Greeny brown in the glass, it smells a bit like molasses. In the mouth, unctuous and intensely sweet with muscatel raisin and golden syrup flavours. Mmmmm.

Cheese match - Barry’s Bay Peninsula Blue.

Pegasus Bay Finale Waipara Noble Semillon 2011 (barrel matured) $40.00 Aromas of dried apricots, honey and marzipan. Mouth filling, sweet and rich, it has flavours of honey and marmalade with a hint of acid to balance the sugars.

Cheese match - Puhoi 7-Year-Old Cheddar.

Special thanks to Tracey Larsen from Matua Valley cellar door for cheese matching advice. (PHIL PARKER) F PN Read Phil’s blog at nzwineblogger.blogspot.co.nz www.insidertouring.co.nz Phil Parker is a wine writer and operates Fine Wine & Food Tours in Auckland.

Chocolate baskets Serves 8 Time to make 15 minutes bubble wrap 100g white chocolate melts 2 cups fresh cherries or fresh strawberries 8 fresh mint leaves

1. Microwave chocolate melts in a large shallow bowl on high for 1 minute. Stir. If you find solid bits, microwave for 10 more seconds and stir. Repeat until chocolate is completely melted. Cool slightly.

2. Spread a layer of melted chocolate onto squares of bubble wrap (bubble side up), and place these into cups or muffin tins. Refrigerate.

3. Remove from containers and fill with fresh fruit. Decorate with mint and serve on the same day.

Tips + To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free chocolate. + When making chocolate baskets, leave the bubble wrap on or peel it off: it’s up to you how you want to present them.

Christmas garlands Serves 2 Time to make 30 minutes 3 cups popped unsalted popcorn 1 cup fresh strawberries ½ cup golden raisins or sultanas

1. Thread a needle with 1 metre strand of cotton. Make a big knot with both ends leaving a small ‘tail’.

2. Thread white, red and gold ingredients onto garland in a pattern you like.

Try 5 popcorns, 1 strawberry, 5 raisins. Or 3 popcorns, 3 strawberries, 3 popcorns, 3 raisins.

3. When the thread is full, cut off the needle and tie both ends of the garland string together.

Recipes: Yvonne Walus Photography: Carolyn Robertson Recipes reprinted from Healthy Food Guide magazine with permission from Healthy Life Media Ltd. Find all the Christmas and holiday dining inspiration you need in the December 2014 issue of Healthly Food Guide magazine ($5.90), on sale in supermarkets and bookstores, or subscribe at www.healthyfood.co.nz F PN

40 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

WHAT’S HOT AT SABATO IT’S SUMMER ON THE MEKONG, BABY! MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM SABATO Mekong Baby celebrates its first birthday with a vibrant new season menu.

One year ago restaurateur Dominique Parat created Mekong Baby, a modern Southeast Asian Fusion restaurant and bar designed specifically to compliment Ponsonby’s vibrant culture.

Christmas is such an exciting time of the year at Sabato, as containers arrive from Europe packed with our favourite festive treats from artisan producers Italy and Spain.

All of these producers are small, often family run businesses (one in its 13th generation!) who continue to make incredible Christmas fare to traditional recipes using only the finest ingredients. With so many tempting treats on offer, Sabato thought it would be very helpful if they let you know some of our recommended buys from this year’s selection...

In celebration of its first birthday, Mekong Baby has introduced its enticing new summer menu, inspired by the regions of South-East Asia bordering the Mekong River.

Panettone is simply a must-have, so better suited to our summer Christmas than heavy fruitcake. Which to choose? They are all delicious! A favourite is determined by whether you enjoy your panettone studded with jewels of candied fruit, dotted with chocolate drop or rippled with Catalan cream.

Parat and executive chef Benjamin Convery spent countless hours together experimenting, marrying the distinctive SEA flavours which have evolved in the region over time, with contemporary techniques and local New Zealand ingredients.

“Through our exploration of the various regional cuisines we sampled hundreds of different dishes,” says Parat. “Ben has taken all of these experiences, and has reimagined the fresh, intense flavour combinations to bring to life our new menu.”

Nougat makes up a lot of the Sabato Christmas range, although many of the producers are very creative in their interpretation of this divine delight. A traditional choice is the soft nougat with almonds from Flamigni, handmade with the fabulous flavour of Italian honey. For something more unique try a new addition to the range inspired by the dessert recipes at world famous elBulli restaurant - ‘Rosemary Truffle Chocolate with Hazelnut and Raspberry’ or ‘Raspberry and Violet Marzipan’ from Vicens in Agramunt, Spain, are sure to impress.

“Summer is salad season, so we’ve added plenty of light, flavour-packed options such as the Roast Duck and Lychee Salad with Cucumber, Sprouts and Red Nam Jim”, adds Convery. “Or for those that enjoy a bit more kick, there’s the Smashed Green Papaya, Roasted Red Chilli Salad with Snake Beans and Lime.”

For a chocolate treat that is a little bit naughty you can’t go past the range of chocolates, filled with liqueurs of the best quality. The Cuneesi filled with Cuban rum are always popular or choose from the Mandrile & Melis range, with various options from whiskey to limoncello to tiramisu all created with locally made liqueurs.

“Our new Crispy-Skinned Hapuka with Sweet and Sticky Pork, Pear, Radish and fresh Herbs is a delightful combination of texture and taste, and of course, we’ve kept the signature dishes that we’ve become known for, such as our Wok Fried Squid with Nuoc Cham and Vietnamese Mint and the hash-tag inspiring Pork Belly.”

Or better still, visit Sabato instore and taste your way around the store to find your favourite this Christmas! If you can’t make it in to the store, shop online - the whole range is available, and with such a fantastic selection of gourmet gifts and delicious sweets it PN makes Christmas gift giving a breeze. F

Not to be outdone, Mekong Baby’s cocktail list also embodies the theme of cultural fusion offering unique executions of cult favourites such as the Mekong Mary, and the eye catching Bangkok Iced Tea, which clearly announces “I’ve finished work for PN today.” F

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

MEKONG BABY, 262 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 1113 www.mekongbaby.com

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NEWS FROM GREY LYNN FARMER’S MARKET

ROB AND MURRAY, HEIRLOOM ORGANIX Heirloom Organix are regulars at the Sunday Grey Lynn Farmers' Market.

How long have you been producing organic seedlings?

We have been growing for about six years.

What's the biggest business challenge you've had to face?

Producing the best soil for our seedlings and herbs. If the soil is good, growing is easy.

What's your favourite thing about growing seedlings?

We love to grow with the seasons. The range of seedlings is always changing depending on the time of year and working with nature is never dull.

What's your favourite way to relax after work?

After work?

If you could sum up your food philosophy in one sentence...

Eat fresh and in season (and organically if possible).

Where did you grow up?

We both grew up in Auckland.

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

This is a unique market. There is a wide range of really good products with passionate stallholders. And our customers are the best. F PN www.glfm.co.nz Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/GLFM Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GreyLynnFarmersMarket

13 LOCAL RESTAURANTS SUPPORT DINEAID Christmas is a time of giving and acclaimed New Zealand chef Mark Gregory launched DineAid a number of years ago to create a way for Kiwis to help those in need.

During the months of November and December, restaurants and cafes sign-up and encourage diners to donate a minimum of $2 at the end of their meal. All the money raised is redistributed within New Zealand to help food banks in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and South Island regions.

In the last five years 300 restaurants and cafes nationwide have raised $482,000 for City Mission food banks throughout New Zealand and the concept is supported by high profile New Zealand chefs including Peter Gordon, Simon Gault and Ben Bayly.

Thirteen local restaurants are part of DineAid this year: Andiamo, Boy & Bird, Clooney, Cocoro, Craft Kitchen, Farina, Fatima’s, Jervois Steak House, Libertine, Richmond Road Cafe, Shahi, Sidart and The Cav. PN Eating at the participating restaurants is a good way of helping those in need. F www.dineaid.org.nz

42 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

WHEN THE SUN’S OUT, SO IS SUN DOG Now that summer has officially started, make sure you’ve dusted off and hosed out the trusty chilly bin, so that it’s ready to pack up with your favourite treats and the new Sun Dog cider for spontaneous picnics with friends or a trip to the bach.

Available now, Sun Dog is a brand new cider with a special Kiwi twist. Made in Aotearoa, this bold, fruity and refreshing drop of crisp apple cider combines interesting flavor combinations that Kiwis will love, including feijoa and mandarin and strawberry and lime.

Because it’s available in a 250ml can, it’s the perfect beverage for any occasion - plus there’s the added bonus that it’s purchased in a four pack, so friends don’t have to miss out, either!

Sun Dog is available to purchase from supermarkets and liquor stores across New Zealand in an ideal serving size of 4 x 250ml cans. RRP $9.99. 4.5% ABV. F PN

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY SUMMER TIME, ART AND DELICIOUS CHOCOLATE “We’re in love with summer and our new summer selection!”

As the temperature starts to warm and we all get in the mood for summer you will find the perfect box of chocolates in the Devonport Chocolates stores to help celebrate.

Last year Devonport Chocolates introduced a Christmas Assortment that was illustrated with a quirky New Zealand Christmas scene by local artist Fraser Williamson and it was met with resounding success. This year, inspired by the wonderful summer scenes painted by local artist Graham Young they created a summer selection of chocolates adorned with a summer painting. They commissioned Graham to paint the New Zealand summer by the beach that we all enjoy.

While originally from the United Kingdom, Graham now calls New Zealand home and has found inspiration in New Zealand’s unique landscape. Graham has a vibrancy and energy to his work that transports you into the painting. To view more of his paintings have a look at his website www.grahamyoung.vc.net.nz To make the assortment extra special they have created two new summer flavours to go with the other delicious flavours you will find in this selection. Their new dark chocolate lemonade chocolate and their milk chocolate boysenberry and hazelnut chocolate are absolutely delicious! The Summer Selection is available from Devonport Chocolates stores and online $39.90. F PN DEVONPORT CHOCOLATES, 177 B Ponsonby Road, T: 09 361 6952 www.devonportchocolates.co.nz

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LIZ WHEADON: WINE, GLORIOUS WINE

Christmas dinner wines There’s so much written on the perfect matches and the theory behind it, all of which makes for interesting reading but at the end of the day it’s what you like and what suits your taste buds that makes the perfect food and wine match.

One common school of thought suggests that ‘like with like’ is the way to go: sweet with sweet, spicy with spicy and so on. However, in my experience it’s also very common that complete opposites attract. Matching flavours together that either contrast each other or exaggerate a favourable aspect, flavours that complement and don’t dominate one another, can match together with surprising results. The match of these contrasting elements sometimes combines to product a result that is even better than the individual parts in isolation.

With the main event, I would serve a white to match the turkey and a fruity red for the ham. Starting with the white wine, Chablis works very well with turkey. Domaine Seguinot Bordet Petit Chablis or Chablis, both from the 2013 vintage, have a distinct mineral element and are beautifully balanced, with just the right amount of acidity and freshness.

This Domaine can trace its history back to the 16th century and is currently under the skilful contract of Jean-Francois Bordet, the 13th generation making wine. These Chablis are exquisite and such amazing value.

So with that preamble out of the way - here’s my guide to matching wine with Christmas Dinner. First up - Champagne. There’s a massive amount of great Champagne available this Christmas and plenty of options to suit your budget. One of the top picks is the Delamotte Brut Non Vintage. This is a small Champagne house steeped in history and one that produces exceptional wines. Delamotte is the ‘sister house’ of the exclusive Champagne Salon. Salon is 100% Chardonnay from the Les Mesnil-sur-Oger area of Champagne. With a big sister like Salon, it’s no surprise that Delamotte has excellent access to top quality fruit and over delivers.

For the red wine, a Pinot Noir would be perfect and there’s so much to choose from, both great local wines and sensational Burgundies. The 2012 vintage in Central Otago produced some of the best wines from the region, the recent Cuisine magazine results highlighting the success of this vintage. Rockburn’s 2012 Pinot Noir is one of my many favourites; a blend from many sub regions in Central Otago, bringing all the components together to be a very complete wine.

Following on from Champagne as an apéritif, Sauternes served with cured meats and terrine makes a perfect entrée. Castelnau de Suduiraut is the second wine of the premium Sauternes Château Suduiraut. Made from 90% Semillon and 10% Sauvignon Blanc, the palate is luscious; ripe apricot and marmalade characters, beautifully rich with clean acidic notes.

Then to the Christmas pudding where a nice rich Tawny Port works well. Quinta de la Rosa’s Tawny Port is superb. Grade A grapes from a very old family vineyard are aged in barrel, meaning you get hugely concentrated flavours and the complexity that comes with age, yet a brightness and freshness not often seen in ports at this price. If Port’s not your tipple, then try the Akarua Ice Wine - New Zealand made, gorgeous, luscious and perfect with Christmas pud. (LIZ WHEADON) F PN www.glengarry.co.nz

THE PONSONBY NEWS TEAM SAY, life is too short… so always eat well and drink good wine! www.ponsonbynews.co.nz

44 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY OPERA EVENINGS @ GUSTO ITALIANO Gusto Italiano in Ponsonby runs fabulous opera evenings twice each month. Soojin Baek Morris has been performing in the restaurant since 2012.

The next opera dates for 2014 are 10 December and 23 December. We asked the singer a few questions.

Where did you learn to sing?

I have two degrees in music; one is in 'Classical Voice' from The Australian Institute of Music with honours in Sydney, and the second is from Sookmyung Women's University, in Seoul, Korea.

What is your inspiration?

My first inspiration was from my parents. Both my parents sang and my mother had a beautiful soprano voice. I was inspired by listening to sacred choral music as a teenager at church.

Later, I loved listening to Maria Callas sing arias from La Traviata and other operas that she’d preformed in. I loved the way she sang with fearlessness, freedom and fire in her voice. Now, I listen to Renata Tebaldi and Ghena Dimitrova who I feel have a strength and vocal richness that is well controlled and yet vulnerable at the same time.

Tebaldi sang with great humanity and power. They both sing with strong earthy tones and sounds that are very direct. I love that.

Over the years my inspiration has also come from conversations with colleagues and audience members, and hearing about their musical passions and inspirations. I’ll go and listen to some of their favourite pieces and notice what I also love about that music.

So, in that way, my inspirations grow every year .

What pieces are your favourite?

Almost all dramatic arias, and also arias from light operas by Mozart and Handel.

Particularly I like arias from The Force of Destiny, A Masked Ball, Tosca, Madame Butterfly, Sour Angelica, La Gioconda, and other German arias and French arias. F PN

photography: Martin Leach

Bookings are essential for the opera evenings, call Armando, T: 09 361 1556. gustoitaliano@xtra.co.nz

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LAURAINE JACOBS: THE SEASONED PALATE

Lauraine Jacobs loves Siostra in the heart of Grey Lynn I have been to Siostra a couple of times but it just dawned on me that I should have taken my sister there to share a meal.

She would love it.

Siostra is Polish for ‘sisters’ and there’s something very familial and friendly about this cosy neighbourhood restaurant. Not surprising, as it is the latest venture from a pair of talented sisters, Esther (ex Sunday Painters) and Beki Lamb who are madly passionate about food and hospitality. Like my sister and me, the pair must have grown up in a home where meals were very important, as their passion for lovely fare is clearly on display.

The sisterly theme extends to the art and the menus. On the back of the various lists (bar, dining menu, brunch, wine, etc) there are stunning black and white shots of pairs of sisters. I especially loved the young Hemingway girls, Mariel and Margaux, and those two famously naughty sisters Jackie and Joan Collins. And the food from those menus emerges from the kitchen on an eclectic selection of plates, some harking back to past family favourites. One of the dining room walls is decorated with a very nostalgic display of old china plates.

The Lamb sisters took over a much-loved restaurant, Delicious, which was known for its terrific pasta, but that carb-heavy starchy fare has sadly become so yesterday with the advance of the current crazy trend for Paleo, raw food, unusual grains, gluten free and superfoods. There’s none of that hysterical trendiness at their Siostra, thank goodness.

What there is on the menu however is totally appealing and appetising; lovingly prepared food-of-the-minute that occasionally harks back to the comfort food of the past, albeit with a new twist and plenty of gutsy flavour.

The layout of the restaurant has not been fiddled with. The first view as you enter is over the large wooden bar through to the busy kitchen. That bar is very welcoming and a great place to enjoy some very original cocktails (all with girls’ names and one might just be your sister!) if you have to wait. No bookings are taken, although there is a cosy private space on the first floor for small parties. I think I am now a fan of no bookings, especially when the dining is casual and friendly, and the service is swift. It makes for a great neighbourhood feel which is exactly what Siostra is - a fine local eatery.

The menu is divided thoughtfully, so rather than traditional entrees and mains, you can have Now, Soon, Charcuterie, Later and After choices.

‘Now’ features little nibbley things to get started on like almonds, olives, or freshly shucked Mahurangi oysters, the very nostalgic ‘devils on horseback’ (yum - childhood food), and a rather daring and delicious octopus and chorizo skewer with ouzo aioli (love the aniseedy flavour of ouzo).

‘Soon’ are plates to share and it would be hard to go past the stunning salad of beetroot and goat cheese with freekah (oops - a trendy grain) and chopped roasted pistachios. The fried calamari with squid ink mayo was really truly moreish and the scallops must be ordered as six beautiful plump morsels arrive with cauliflower puree, lentils and guanciale.

That scallop dish is destined to become a Siostra classic I dare to suggest, as the combination is perfect, beautifully presented in scallop shells with crisp pieces of guanciale which is dry smoky pig cheek, not unlike bacon. Loving mussels, I ordered the baked mussels with taro chips one lunch time. I was disappointed that the mussel flavour was strongly present yet someone in the kitchen had chopped or pureed those mussels so finely I did not find a single speck to chew on, and the accompanying taro chips were really dry and bland. But that is the only niggle I have.

‘Charcuterie’ is also a house specialty and we loved our wee jar of lamb tongues’ rillettes, rather like a tasty pâté, which was accompanied by bread and pickles, as are all the charcuterie selections. A big platter of the kitchen’s selection of cold cuts would be perfect to share amongst four or six people.

And so on to the ‘Later’ courses. The chargrilled T-bone may be the biggest and certainly the best value steak in town. $34 gets you a humungus piece of meat the size of a dinner plate, and unlike the fancy-schmancy steak houses around where you would be paying for just the meat and at twice the price, Siostra’s kitchen garnishes that T-bone with crab and smoked cheese jalapeno and a pile of buttermilk slaw. A showstopper if ever and a real challenge for the fainthearted!

On a more restrained but still very tasty note, the market fish (snapper the night we ordered) is a lovely combination of fillets of fresh pan-fried fish with tender grilled calamari, braised tomato and an unusual black rice fritter. And from the specials board which usually has a couple of inspired dishes posted each day, a $28 generous Spanish -style stew of Cloudy Bay diamond clams with prawn and crab balls in a wonderful tomato broth. There were two large pieces of grilled sourdough to mop up the juices, and two thoughtfully placed bowls - one for the shells and the other filled with warm water and lemon to wash my fingers. I sure needed them as those sweet clams may be the absolute best protein we produce in New Zealand and I was determined to get every single skerrick of the meaty flesh out of those shells.

The ‘After’ list has several desserts, cheese, and dessert wines, port, and coffee and teas. There’s a deep fried apple pie with dulce de leche ice cream that has the sweetof-tooth around town raving but that’s a step too far for me. I would need to go straight to the gym after that!

However I can recommend from personal eating experience, the prune and armagnac crème brulée which was the lightest I have ever encountered, and a special of goat cheesecake garnished with seasonal strawberries. That cake could have floated away from its nutty base if it was any lighter. It struck the right note to end a dinner as it was part sweet and part savoury.

And not to miss is Esther Lamb’s wine list. It is a stunning selection of well-priced wines that should please everyone from a wine novice to a connoisseur. Predominantly New Zealand with a nod to interesting offshore bottles, and almost every wine on the list is available by the glass, including the champagnes. You’ve gotta love a wine list where the listed sav blancs are Clos Marguerite and Cloudy Bay. Well done Esther!

PN (LAURAINE JACOBS MNZM) F www.laurainejacobs.co.nz Open lunch and dinner six days (closed Mondays) Brunch from 9am Weekends.

Siostra, 472 Richmond Road T: 09 360 6207

Esther Lamb of Siostra

46 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY ANOTHER YEAR HAS GONE

BY AT GINA’S ITALIAN KITCHEN...

“And here we are again, our favourite time of year. The weather’s warmer, the days are longer and that relaxed holiday vibe is just around the corner... so keep it together people!

This can be the time of year when some people crash land and so it’s important to be nice and make someone smile. You could turn their bad day into a great day... we’re just saying.”

And speaking of being nice, the new liquor licensing laws recently introduced have pretty much killed the New Zealand ‘Happy Hour’ as we know it, so the Gina’s team have introduced ‘The Great Italian Aperitivo Hour’.

It’s a tradition in Italian towns big and small that after work or before going out for dinner, people will gather at their favourite bar for ‘Aperitivo’ or a pre-dinner drink with complimentary nibbles.

L to R: Trent Rule, Jane Crisp, Kelly Brown and John Belsham

Italians never drink without food, in fact for Italians it’s more about the food than the drink and Aperitivo is intended to prepare one for dinner, to ‘get the juices flowing’ if you like.

LOCALS JOIN FORCES FOR A NIGHT OF GREAT ART AND FINE WINES

Come to Gina’s where you will receive delicious stuzzichini, or nibbles, FREE while you enjoy your favourite cocktail, beer or wine in their sunny courtyard bar from 5-7pm Monday to Friday.

IT'S GREAT SEEING LOCAL BUSINESSES WORKING TOGETHER. WITH BEAUTIFUL artworks by Jane Crisp, framed by Trent Rule from Momentum Framing Gallery in Herne Bay and great wines by the team at Foxes Island cellar door in Grey Lynn.

Gina’s Italian Kitchen will be open for dinner throughout the Christmas and New Year period. Buon natale a tutti! F PN

Jane Crisp’s work is showing until 8 December. Ross Jones new works will be displayed from 9 December. F PN

GINA’S ITALIAN KITCHEN, 161 Symonds Street, Eden Terrace T: 09 302 2061 www.ginas.co.nz

FOXES ISLAND WINES, 15 Williamson Avenue T: 09 378 1369 www.foxes-island.co.nz www.facebook.com/foxwine

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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY

Above L to R: Andy Pickering and Leigh Matheson; Jacinta Duncan and Carlos Cumberbatch; Sergio Maglione of Farina Ponsonby (Winner) and Phillipa Sibley.

Above L to R: Dale Spencer, Sam Clode and Helene Ravlich; Deborah Howard; Megan Harris, Sean Lally and Ken Rodgers.

Above L to R: Dianne Ruela and Giovanni Infantino; Smeet and Dimple Girish; John Craig.

photography: Clare Gemima

Above L to R: Jacinda Ardern, David Farrier and Keith (the Budgie); Leo and Ros Palmer; Megan Huggins, Ryan McNicoll and Emma Halpin.

Above L to R: Meg Malcolm, Hugo McCallum & Joe Chen; Caitlyn Russell, Mark Gregory, Bronwyn Ward & Dianne Ruela; The Judges; Simon Wilson, Rob Elliot & Pascal Aussignac.

TASTE OF AUCKLAND LAUNCH @ WESTERN SPRINGS - THURSDAY 13 NOVEMBER

50 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY FARINA PONSONBY CROWNED ‘BEST IN TASTE’ AT TASTE OF AUCKLAND OPENING NIGHT Organisers of Taste of Auckland are thrilled to announce the winner of the inaugural ‘Best in Taste’ awards announced at the festival’s opening event last month.

Purveyors of simple and fresh Italian fare, Farina earned first place with their ‘perfectly formatted’ dish, Valoriani Oven Pork Saltimbocca with Italian spicy greens provolone cheese, and cipriani mustard dressing.

All ten restaurants exhibiting at Taste of Auckland were asked to submit a dish to be judged by an international panel. Judges of the first-ever Taste of Auckland ‘Best in Taste’ included Michelin-starred chef, Pascal Aussignac who has won Best in Taste at Taste of London three times, acclaimed Australian chef Philippa Sibley who has won the competition twice at Taste of Melbourne, and Simon Wilson, editor of Metro Magazine.

From the Valoriani Oven Pork Saltimbocca to Crayfish and Watercress Risotto, Smoked Lamb Cutlets to Virgin Bloody Mary Oyster Shooters, the trio were not disappointed as they ate their way through 10 fantastic dishes. “Farina’s dish is a perfect dish for any Taste festival in the world - it’s easy to eat, perfectly seasoned, and has a lot of texture,” says Best in Taste judge, Pascal Aussignac.

“The Saltimbocca has a sense of authenticity and represented the brand beautifully,” PN adds fellow judge, Philippa Sibley. F FARINA, 244 Ponsonby Road T: 09 302 2665 www.farina.co.nz

IN DELECTABLE FASHION Ruby and Liam presented their Autumn/Winter 2015 collections to media and special guests at a lunch presentation on Wednesday 12 November at The Engine Room.

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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY SHANGHAI LIL’S WELCOME TO PONSONBY It feels as if Ponsonby has been missing something, the sort of something you don’t know is missing until the gap is filled. And now it has been - by Shanghai Lil’s.

Comfortable chairs in brocade and velvet, a gleaming black baby grand piano, lush plants, hanging curtains, lamps and decorative oriental pieces, the bar at 212 Ponsonby Road has been transformed. Shanghai Lil’s cocktail jazz bar has moved to Ponsonby from a venue in Parnell (where it was also a restaurant) and before that it could be found down at The Birdcage at the bottom of Franklin Road.

photography: Michael McClintock

The bar first opened its doors back in 2004 on Anzac Avenue in Auckland CBD. Owner Russell Green says the intention was always to be a pop up. “But the opportunity to keep going has always come along,” Russell says. “When we were leaving The Birdcage in 2009-10 we wanted to come to Ponsonby, but it isn’t always easy to get into an area, you have to wait for the right time.”

The more creative and eclectic environment of Ponsonby seems to suit Shanghai Lil’s and Russell is grateful to everyone who has supported the bar over the years. With the move to Ponsonby, they have been enjoying the “local feeling of people popping in to say hello.” Shanghai Lil’s previous location in Parnell had a restaurant, but it meant Russell was spending most of his time in the kitchen and he missed hosting his guests. Not that Russell is a stranger to the restaurant business, having been in hospitality for a long time, with a couple of restaurants, including one in Mission Bay. “Shanghai Lil’s is about giving people an occasion, a different night out,” says Russell.

“I’ve been with Billy since the 1980s, he is a very fine musician himself and we are lucky he knows so many other great musicians.”

Russell is talking about Shanghai Lil’s co-owner, resident pianist and musical director Billy Farnell. Billy has been playing in Auckland for 60 years as a full time piano player.

Billy plays the classics solo on most nights, but on Friday and Saturdays it’s with a four -piece band. “They’ve been performing together since the late 50s, so they are a very tight band,” says Russell. “A night out at Shanghai Lil’s is something more interactive, and we’d like to introduce some more guest spots with music in the future.”

A night out at Shanghai Lil’s looks to be popular already, with a busy and diverse crowd enjoying the comfortable atmosphere and tempting cocktails. F PN SHANGHAI LIL’S, 212 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 0396 www.facebook.com/lilsponsonby

52 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

BURGER BURGER MIMI GILMOUR & ADRIAN CHILTON

ZOO WAREHOUSE CAROLINE MACKERSEY

BURGER BURGER IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN MIMI GILMOUR AND ADRIAN CHILTON, both entrepreneurs with strong roots in the hospitality industry who want to bring a twist to the burger market. “Our goal is to create gourmet burgers that are perfect in their simplicity.”

Our brand is largely driven by the diversity of its people who bring the big personality and magic to Burger Burger. Our music is handpicked by all our staff, many of which are well-established musicians themselves, creating a complementary soundtrack, which fits with the restaurant itself. Old personal family photos and images of Auckland influence the décor. With our loud and fun atmosphere, we want all customers to come and enjoy the show that will have them leaving inspired... plus we try not to break their bank account.

Adrian and head chef Chino source almost all of their ingredients locally, organic when possible and of the highest quality; with our sustainably caught fish from Jimmy The Fish and our delicious burger meat from Neat Meat, both located literally two metres away from our door step. Here is a quick, easy recipe for our Chargrilled Broccoli - it is one of Adrian’s signature creations - “What makes it special is its simplicity so even you will be able to nail it.” Delicious!

Chargrilled Broccoli Ingredients: A generous handful of sliced broccoli (dry), 2 cloves sliced garlic, 2 T water, 1 tsp butter, good pinch flaky sea salt, cracked pepper, half a handful of flaky almonds & 1 T olive oil.

WHEN CAROLINE MOVED BACK TO AUCKLAND AFTER LIFE IN LONDON, HONG KONG AND Australia, she knew that New Zealanders would love her business concept - directly importing home furniture and objects from around the globe to Auckland’s shores for sale at competitive prices.

Method: Heat a cast iron pan, once hot add oil followed by the sliced broccoli, it should start sizzling away. You don’t want to move the pan too much as that’s what gives the charred broccoli its taste and look, just jiggle the pan lightly. Add garlic, then water to take the edge off. Add butter and a good amount of salt & cracked pepper to your taste.

Lastly, add almonds. A few moments and it’s ready to serve. Enjoy!

Zoo Warehouse in Ponsonby Central is a furniture and home accessories store that expresses a style that dares to mix and match objects, origins and eras. Inside the rustic, chic warehouse space, one can find a range of home furniture, interior pieces and home accessories. Caroline travels to India, Vietnam, China and Europe to personally source stock and works directly with suppliers to source pieces that are unique to her store.

Importing directly means that Caroline can maintain highly competitive prices; and with containers arriving monthly, Zoo Warehouse is a moving, changing place. “My love of travel means that it doesn’t (always!) feel like work, and I enjoy the independence and flexibility of having my own business - it allows me to source pieces specifically with my customers’ desires in mind.”

@burgerburgernz www.burgerburger.co.nz hello@burgerburger.co.nz T. 09 360 8030

More recently, Caroline has expanded into dinnerware and table accessories with Wonki Ware by South African designer Di Marshal. “People love the uniqueness of each piece in Di’s stunning range, which also make great gifts for Christmas,” says Caroline. www.zoowarehouse.co.nz T: 09 378 7020

Adrian Chilton (Executive Chef & Founder) & Chino Salazar (Head Chef) and Mimi Gilmour The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY SERIOUS WINE TASTING AT AIR NEW ZEALAND Ponsonby News’ Fashion Editor Julie Roulston couldn’t believe her luck when an invitation to the Air New Zealand Wine Awards Gold Medal tasting arrived in her letterbox.

But the event itself proved an occasion to panic. For one of only a few times in Julie’s life she was presented with too much wine. Five long adjoining tables complete with friendlylooking stewards (of the wine tasting variety as opposed to the more familiar cabin crew kind), offered some 112 bottles of wine.

The information booklet, whilst comprehensive, was without a “.101” section. Clearly Julie couldn’t taste all or even most of the wines, so she decided to go the only intelligent course and taste the most expensive wine in each of the 16 classes, while simultaneously seeking out wine that was both a delight to her palate and that she may be able to afford to drink outside a very special occasion.

TASCA’S MEDITERRANEAN OLIVE GARDEN IDEAS AND DESIGNS BREWED FOR YEARS, WHILE PLANNING AND COUNCIL GOT UP TO their usual tricks... but now, the courtyard garden at Cafe Tasca in Dominion Road - olive trees and all - is sporting a fully fledged kitchen, along with extended seating areas and a state-of-the-art retractable awning.

The rambling Mediterranean courtyard which is big on ambience and tasty food but small on formalities, has always been an oasis of escapism, and now, whilst retaining its humble origins, the Olive Garden is the place to be this summer.

Julie did know enough to start with the sparkling wines and lighter flavoured white wines, proceeding through to the lighter reds and finishing with the dessert wines.

A favourite game of Tasca’s staff is to take unsuspecting customers through the cafe, and watch their amazement turn to delight as they see the garden. “This is the last thing you’d expect to find on Dominion Road” is the usual reaction!

Yes, there were goosebump-inducing spittoons on the tables. While, unlike the more professional guests, Julie never considered spitting out into them, they proved useful.

Even sipping one can consume quite a bit of wine quite quickly at such a tasting, and not without sadness Julie had to pour out some wine in order not to frighten the calm, somewhat studious wine crowd with alcohol-induced extroversion - and to be able to drive safely and legally home.

To introduce Ponsonby News readers, Tasca is putting on a special ‘neighbourhood breakfast’ from 8am until 11.30am, Tuesday to Sunday. Along with the usual menu, their latest and much loved brunch dish ‘The Spaniard’ (eggs soft scrambled with tasty sautéed potatoes, red pepper and paprika) is offered for only $10 including a Spanish style coffee; ‘solo’ or ‘cortado’.

Bountiful cheese boards provided an etiquette quandary - to nibble a little mid-tasting to help with sobriety? Or to stoically wait until the end and then hoe in, so to speak, armed with a glass of one’s favourite? Julie’s answer - nibble discretely, and finish with a very nice taste of Mudbrick’s $140/bottle contents-undisclosed, Velvet 2013.

Two reasonably affordable wines stood out in Julie’s utterly undisciplned tasting: a Spy Valley Gewürztraminer 2013 at $22.95 (this went on to attain a Pure Elite Gold Medal), and a Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 at $33.99.

Vidal Legacy Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2013 was to be granted the top prize: the prestigious Air New Zealand Champion Wine of the Show Trophy. Vidal Estate is one of the oldest wineries in New Zealand.

This year’s competition saw 1,552 wines entered into 16 different classes. The entries were judged by an independent panel of 26 expert wine judges, including two international judges.

Christopher Luxon, Chief Executive Officer of Air New Zealand, said the airline has proudly supported the wine awards for 28 years and has witnessed the event go from strength to strength.

The Air New Zealand Wine Awards competition is owned and organised by New Zealand Winegrowers, the national organisation for the country’s 1,600 grape growers and PN winemakers. F www.airnewzealandwineawards.co.nz

Impress your friends and take them through to Tasca’s Olive Garden - you can pretend PN it was you who discovered it (they won’t say a thing!). F TASCA OLIVE GARDEN, 338 Dominion Road, T: 09 630 6345 www.tasca.co.nz Facebook and Instagram.

HERNE BAY CELLARS’ NEW FRENCH CONNECTION Burgundy, Cotes du Rhone and Bordeaux wine imported direct by Herne Bay Cellars.

This month Herne Bay Cellars celebrate their first Christmas in their new shop on Jervois Road (same block as Andiamo). They are also celebrating their new ‘French Connection’; the second consignment of French wine has just landed in Auckland. The first shipment of wine was of such high quality that they were taken by surprise at how quickly it sold out.

Herne Bay Cellars has available truly lovely wines from Clos des Cimes, the highest vineyard in the Cotes Du Rhone, Domaine de Mayol from the Luberon, various white and red wines from Nuiton Beaunoy of Burgundy through to a selection of red, white and rose from famous Bordeaux vigneron Francois Lurton. Prices for these wines start at just $17.99 as well as discounts when you buy four or more from the selection. There are tastings of these fine wines daily while stocks last.

Herne Bay Cellars continues to stock and support New Zealand wineries such as Tohu, local award winning producer Soho and Otago’s Chard Farm and Peregine. Include these and others from their wide range in store as part of a mixed four pack to receive a discount of 10%.

“We look forward to seeing you in our new shop to try these great wines and we wish all our customers and suppliers a Merry Christmas.” Cheers from Mike and the team. F PN

Julie Roulston and Tamara Rubanowski

54 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

HERNE BAY CELLARS, 184 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 3497 www.hernebaycellars.co.nz PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY THOMSON WHISKY: MANUKA SMOKE ‘PROGRESS’ RELEASE FOR CHRISTMAS THOMSON WHISKY IS RELEASING 100 BOTTLES OF UP-AND -coming Manuka Smoke spirit, giving fans the opportunity to taste the developing flavours of batch 001 of this world-first distillation.

With the title ‘Manuka Smoke Progress Report’ it represents a collectable piece of New Zealand distilling history, just in time for Christmas.

The exclusive bottling will provide whisky enthusiasts with a taste of this smoky and fiery spirit in its youth, as a sample of what’s to come. It’s common for Scottish distilleries to offer a release of very young new-make spirit, but not so in New Zealand.

Earlier this year, the Auckland-based Thomson Whisky distilled New Zealand’s first commercial batch of Manuka smoked single malt. Believed to be a world-first, the interest so far has been overwhelming, and has led to this unique ‘anticipation’ bottling.

Already gaining in body and complex flavours, the Manuka Smoke spirit currently offers natural smoke notes, cinnamon, clove and manuka oils on the palate. With the native manuka contributing a peppery smokiness it is likely to satisfy those interested in lightly peated Scotch.

Head Distiller Mathew Thomson is carefully managing its development in the barrel and reports he is seeing changes monthly. The spirit is made from 100% New Zealand grown malted barley, which is kilned using manuka wood, and distilled at the Thomson Whisky Distillery in Riverhead.

The 100 bottles of Thomson Manuka Smoke ‘Progress Report’ will be available at Glengarry Wines, Sam Snead’s House of Whiskey, The Whisky Shop, Whisky Galore and other selected stockists. It will launch in-store on Saturday 13 December. F PN www.thomsonwhisky.co.nz

AKARUA WINS THREE GOLDS AT AIR NZ WINE AWARDS A busy and exciting year has culminated with Akarua last month being awarded three Pure Gold Medals at the 2014 Air New Zealand Wine Awards.

The results of the awards were announced recently to the public. Akarua received three Pure golds: Akarua Pinot Noir 2013, Akarua RUA Pinot Noir 2013 and their Sparkling Akarua Vintage Brut 2010 Winemaker Matt Connell is delighted with the results.

“It is great for our team to be recognised at this prestigious show. It has been a particularly busy year for us with the purchase of two new vineyards and preparing for a much larger vintage because of this, so to win three gold medals is a fantastic achievement,” he said.

“The Air New Zealand Wine Awards have such resonance with consumers and the profile of the awards is also recognised internationally, it’s a great lead in to the Christmas season,” he said.

Akarua’s varietal focus is on their Pinot Noirs and Sparkling Wine programme. The Akarua Pinot Noir 2013, Akarua RUA Pinot Noir 2013 and Akarua Vintage Brut 2010 were awarded gold.

Matt is looking forward to celebrating the wins at the Awards dinner in Hawkes Bay on 22 November.

And these are three drops we’ll be enjoying as we head into the season of celebrating!

Akarua Vintage Brut: Rua Pinot Noir: Akarua Pinot Noir:

$45.00 $28.50 $48.50

Stockists; Akarua is distributed in New Zealand by Hancocks Wines & Spirits PN www.hancocks.co.nz F

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY THE RETURN OF MURDER BURGER Murder Burger is back and excited about its return to Ponsonby where its first store was opened in 2008.

The burger joint is still committed to serving real burgers using good meat and veggies.

The owners of Murder Burger were tired of eating burgers loaded with artificial flavours, colours and, as they say, “Goodness knows what else!”

Murder Burger stands for a promise of fresh meat, ingredients, seasonings, homemade sauces and artisan buns. That means, “Only the best burgers you have ever tasted and a place Ponsonby locals and visitors can come to enjoy a great range of burgers without the guilt of eating crap!”

At the new premises on the corner of Ponsonby Road and Picton Street, diners can enjoy the legendary Murder Burger taste in a feel-good environment; the meat is fresh and the sauces made in-house daily. Dine-in, or takeaway and order online or by phone.

With options for burger size, vegetarian burgers, wraps, ice-cream milkshakes and a selection of sides including prawns, the Murder Burger menu caters to all the taste buds from tingling spice to something basic for the kids.

The team at Murder Burger wants to feed the good people of Auckland at their branches in Mt Eden and Ponsonby - and they have a loyalty programme to help with their mission!

Become a Killer VIP and every visit will earn you 10 points with a bonus of 5 points for PN orders over $20. Redeem your points for sides, drinks, burgers and vouchers. F MURDER BURGER, 95 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 4005, www.murderburger.co.nz

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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY CATALINA SOUNDS - EXCEPTIONAL WINES FOR SUMMER ENJOYMENT The Marlborough region produces remarkable wines - more than 77% of New Zealand’s total wine production in fact, with 86% being Sauvignon Blanc.*

Catalina Sounds - based in Marlborough’s Waihopai Valley - is the number one selling super premium New Zealand wine brand in Australia - our largest wine export market.

An achievement leading wine writer Raymond Chan accredits to “realising the quality that sophisticated consumers desire in New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, in a market flooded by average beverage bottlings”.

This remarkable success, along with several award wins**, prompted the winery to champion their wines at home. And the winery - named for the majestic Catalina flying boat and New Zealand’s famous war-bird - looks set for a domestic take off.

“We’ve always chosen to fly below the radar while quietly winning over international taste buds, but we do think it’s time that more Kiwis enjoy the fruits of our labour,” says Scott Bower, General Manager of Endeavour Vineyards and the Catalina Sounds brand.

Catalina Sounds winemaker Peter Jackson attributes their success to focusing on creating wines of great honesty and integrity, true to their site, with complexity and longevity.

“My philosophy is simple - source outstanding fruit from exceptional vineyards and know exactly the right moment to pick,” says Jackson. “Our Sound of White vineyard - home to Catalina Sounds wines - gives us the scope to do this.”

Grey Lynn based fine wine distributors red+white cellar will be ensuring wine lovers can find Catalina Sounds on menus and shelves across New Zealand. And it seems establishments need little convincing to add it to their wine lists.

Ask for Catalina Sounds wines at the likes of: 16 Tun NZ Freehouse, The Crew Club, Quay St Cafe, The Station, Molten, The Botanist and Cafe on Kohi. You won’t be disappointed.

Wines include a Marlborough Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc - including the limited edition Sound of White Sauvignon Blanc.

Or order now at: www.catalinasounds.co.nz *Source: www.wine-marlborough.co.nz/ and Vintage Data 2014 **

58 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY WITHER HILLS WEST END CUP WEEKEND Want to see the NZ Davis Cup team in action for free?

Saturday 6 December is your day to do just that at the West End Tennis Club in Coxs Bay. Yes it is Wither Hills West End Cup weekend, rolling around for the 7th year, where you get spectacular tennis action over four days along with great food, wine and entertainment.

up some tasty treats for players and spectators alike and Wither Hills is releasing its brand new Rose’.

It’s Super Saturday and the action has stepped up a notch in 2014, watch the pros in the main draw during the day then at 5.30pm watch keen locals take them on in “The Super-10” - a fast and furious best of 10 point tie-break style tournament. At 6.30pm NZ #1 Michael Venus, NZ #2 Marcus Daniel and two of Sky TV’s hottest young stars Makere Bradnam and Charlotte Bellis take part in an Exhibition Match sure to set court one on fire.

As always entry is free for all spectators so come and nab some of the great free seating on bean bags or in the on-court grandstand all weekend (the kid zone is back to keep the little ones occupied with bouncy castles, face painting and more). So grab the whanau and friends and head on down for a perfect summer’s evening of great local food, wine and world class tennis! F PN

All the while ‘Beats and Bubbles’ will be going on, an evening of fab musical beats and Morton Estate Black Label bubbles flowing. Jess’s Underground Kitchen will be serving

Check out www.witherhillswestendcup.co.nz or westendcup on Facebook.

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DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

Makere Bradnum is playing at the match

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FASHION + STYLE RETAIL SUPERSTAR Ann Lim, The Garden Party How did you come to be a retail salesperson?

Accidently. I was a young backpacker travelling aimlessly round India when I got a call from my mother saying she wanted to open a shop to sell her ceramics and would I come home to do it? I was a bit sick of third class Indian trains and had no other plans so I decided I’d come home and give it a go. I’m still doing it 21 years later.

What do you love about your store?

The customers. Many have become friends. And the suppliers - coming up with beautiful and wonderful products for us to explain and sell. And the fact that we are always getting in new and interesting stock (and having to find places to put it all). No day is the same so I haven’t got bored, yet.

What makes a standout retail salesperson?

The ability to talk to anyone and everyone, excellent product knowledge and a passion for what they are selling.

Tell us about a memorable sale you’ve made this year…

Probably the one where a little boy wandered into the store saying he had saved his pocket money to buy his mum a birthday present. Together we found a gift that he was sure his mum would like. Later she came into the store to thank us. She told us she was a solo mum, newly settled here with no family in the country and struggled at birthdays as it was only her and her five-year-old son. She loved the present he had chosen and it had made her day. That was a sale that made us feel really good.

Name someone you think is a great greater Ponsonby brand/store/retail salesperson...

Penny Milne. She is my right hand lady and has been working with me at The Garden Party for the last 15 years. She is an absolute pleasure to work with. In fact working with her doesn’t really feel like work, she’s so much fun. And Jonny from Il Buco. He makes her morning coffee and she comes back bursting with interesting local stories to tell. F PN THE GARDEN PARTY, 71 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 7799 www.thegardenparty.co.nz

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

Dalai Lama, Frida Kahlo and Nelson Mandela - as it would be amazing to meet them.

Wouldn’t have a clue what I’d say to them though. I’d probably be a bit tongue tied!

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

Actually if magic wands are being waved, I am looking for a new store manager to start in the new year so I’d really love the perfect person to walk through the door next week. Please.

Where do you enjoy shopping?

Ponsonby Road. I have all the best of what New Zealand has to offer within a stone’s throw of where I work so why would I go anywhere else?

60 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FASHION + STYLE ICEBREAKER’S NEW ADVENTURE IN PONSONBY Icebreaker is continuing the expansion of its global network, with the opening of both its new headquarters and TouchLab store right here in Ponsonby.

The iconic New Zealand merino outdoor clothing company is excited to be part of our community, and to be offering a welcoming, eco-friendly space for locals to explore.

You’ll find the new TouchLab, underneath the headquarters, in the heart of Ponsonby Road. Reflecting Icebreaker’s connection with nature and commitment to protecting the environment, the TouchLab is built using sustainable materials, and is designed to connect customers with the south island merino sheep stations its wool is sourced from.

Icebreaker CEO Rob Fyfe with the Beat Communications team

The store also introduces several new concepts, including a ‘Bodyfit Bar and Shop’ - a store-within-a-store - which showcases the base layers Icebreaker is world famous for and brings the Icebreaker sustainability story to life.

Born in the extreme climate of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, Icebreaker clothing is made from merino - a miracle fibre that provides a natural, sustainable alternative to synthetics and cotton. As well as keeping you warm in the cold, merino wool keeps you cool in the heat, breathes to prevent overheating, is silky soft against your skin and naturally resists odour.

The Icebreaker brand was founded in 1995, and has since grown into the world’s largest outdoor company, available in over 5000 stores across 50 countries. At the Ponsonby TouchLab you’ll discover Icebreaker’s complete range, including Outdoor, Run/Fitness, Travel/Lifestyle, Kids and Underwear collections as well as socks and accessories. F PN

Founder Jeremy Moon celebrates with guests at the opening of Icebreaker’s latest TouchLab on Ponsonby Road

ICEBREAKER TOUCHLAB, 130 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 361 3602 www.Icebreaker.com

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FASHION + STYLE THE GEMSTONE FOR DECEMBER Donna Mills, owner of Jewels and Gems introduces us to the qualities of petrified wood.

The information comes from the scientifically conducted trials of German stone specialist Michael Gienger.

Petrified wood is a personal favourite of mine. It is neither sparkly, nor colourful, although we do have it in deep pink tumbled stones. I love it however, for the connection it gives me to the energy of the trees.

Imagine the peace and grandeur of a tree, condensed into stone over squillions of years but still holding the power of the tree. mmm! I feel it right to the heart of me.

I once had a mum bring in her little girl who wasn’t sleeping at night. Amidst all the pretty crystals most little girls love, I gave her a plain brown stone (once part of a tree) to hold.

The reverence in that child humbled me. She sat down cradling it in her little hands and simply said, very quietly, “oh, isn’t it beautiful”. She felt the beauty of it because it was giving her just what she needed.

Petrified or fossilised wood is for well-being, contentment and composure. It makes us stable and firmly ‘rooted’ in ourselves, helping us to stand with both feet on the ground of reality and to accept life the way it is. It also helps us use approaching external change for our own objectives. It calms and fortifies the nerves. It stimulates digestion and metabolism, helping with overweight caused by poor grounding.

MASCULINE GIFTING A trio of luxurious, ‘everything looks better in black’ gifts…

The Shelter ‘Old School’ pack $159.90 Triumph & Disaster Shearers Soap; Richard Orjis ‘Park’ Book; Triumph & Disaster Travel Kit; Foxes Den Knitted Dishcloth (also appropriate for face)

I have chosen this stone for Christmas to bring us the peace and reverence of that little child. F PN JEWELS AND GEMS, 54 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 4389 www.jewelsandgems.co.nz

Commoners slides $199

The Shelter ‘Cool, Calm, Collected’ pack $414.50 Foxes Den Shaving Brush; Barbara Gongini Leather Wallet; Jimmy D Damned Tee

THE SHELTER www.theshelter.co.nz COMMONERS www.commoners.co.nz

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FASHION + STYLE SMITH & WESTERN IN PONSONBY AT LAST

ITCHIN TO BE STITCHIN?

The luxe-bohemia clothing brand, Smith & Western, has developed a loyal following since its establishment in Queenstown in 2001 and has just opened a second store in Ponsonby.

Delivered direct to your door, it’s a brown paper package tied up with string that contains an exquisite collection of what will soon become someone’s favourite thing.

Designer Francesca King believes in products that are high on quality and low on impact and the range continues to be 100% New Zealand-made.

The readily wearable line is an evolution of essential pieces - and Francesca’s signature use of compelling prints and colour combined with attention to drape and simplicity has created high demand with new and repeat customers.

Smith & Western’s range includes Missoni inspired prints, floral dresses, jumpsuits and patterned silk pants. These run alongside classic staples, fluid draped tops, fine knits, kaftans and kimonos, silk bomber jackets and knit dresses and lightweight biker leggings.

“We understand the need for versatile, trans-seasonal clothes so there is long-term value in the pieces. We want women to literally be able to: ‘Work in it, Live in it, Play in it, Chill in it’,” says Francesca.

No lessons, no shopping, no crafty friends required, just a comfy chair, and a relaxed holiday ahead.

Birdiebrown has complete applique kits for all levels, made up in beautiful wools that contain everything you need. The clear and simple instructions ensure that the unique collection of appliqué cushion and baby blanket kits can be made by everyone.

In her Devonport studio Birdiebrown has put together the applique kit of your dreams!

Choose from a fresh and contemporary range of cushion and baby blanket designs made up in fabulous wool fabrics.

Each hand stamped padded packet delivered to your door contains a full-colour how -to instruction booklet, a full sized transparent hand drawn pattern as well as all the ingredients needed to complete the kit. This includes beautiful woollen fabrics and felts, woollen threads on wooden spools, embroidery floss, a test kit, a haberdashery kit, bonded tracing paper, a pencil and sharpener. Nippy little scissors are not included but are available for purchase on the Birdiebrown website.

Cushion kits priced from $100 - 150. Baby blanket kits priced from $150.

Whether for yourself, or a gift for a friend, visit the website to see what’s being stitched PN up in Birdiebrown’s Devonport aviary. F BIRDIEBROWN, M: 021 415 059 www.birdiebrown.co.nz

Adding to its appeal as a destination store is the introduction of Mexican, Moroccan, ethnic and New Zealand-made homeware and products the Smith & Western team have come to love. New pieces arrive in store each week, both new designs and limited edition runs which keep the range refreshed and vibrant.

“Every woman needs clothes that make her feel comfortable in her own skin - without overthinking it. Size is irrelevant, dressing in flattering pieces works for everyone,” says Francesca. F PN SMITH & WESTERN 14 Jervois Road, Ponsonby, T: 0800 WESTERN, E: hello@smithandwestern.co.nz, www.facebook.com/smithandwesternNZ

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FASHION + STYLE NICK VON K STUDIO - LA GONDA ARCADE Climb the spiral staircase at the end of La Gonda Arcade on K' Road and find yourself in the world of Nick Von K - or perhaps it's better described as a den. Taxidermy animals watch from the walls and the black velvet-lined cases of jewellery stand among curiosities more suited to a sorcerer's attic than a jewellery studio.

But jewellery studio it is, and it has three industrious jewellers to prove it as well as a wealth of intriguing designs that mingle fantasy and rock n' roll.

When I headed up to the Nick Von K studio recently I realised why La Gonda Arcade and its hidden treasure might be overlooked. The arcade is like St Kevin's younger quirkier sister and the entrance at 203 K' Road is easily missed, dominated as it is by a second hand clothing store.

Come to the studio and discover one-off designs and samples that don't make it into the stores, pieces made to order, or jewellery re-sized on the spot, as well as bags, t-shirts and Nick Von K watches. Nick might even be persuaded to part with some of the studio's mysterious decorative collections - if it's to a good home. (JESSIE KOLLEN)

NICK VON K, La Gonda Arcade, 203 K' Road, T: 09 550 9505, www.nickvonk.com

PONSONBY’S GEORGIA ALICE WINS DHL EXPRESS FASHION EXPORT SCHOLARSHIP Late November saw Ponsonby resident, emerging designer Georgia Alice Currie, awarded the $10,000 DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship for 2014, establishing herself as New Zealand’s top emerging fashion exporter.

Hailed as ‘the next Karen Walker,’ Georgia Alice Currie was born in Christchurch and after a brief stint at ballet school in Sydney, made the move to fashion through a development programme at Australian department store David Jones. After returning to Christchurch to train in fashion at Christchurch Polytechnic, she eventually set up her own label in Auckland in 2012.

Currie has seen her business go from strength to strength, including features in Australian Vogue, Australian Elle, Russh, Oyster and on international blog The Man Repeller. Now in her fifth season, Currie boasts 24 stockists worldwide, including New York and Los Angeles.

Currie says: “I am beyond thrilled to have been awarded the DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship... Over the next 12 months with the amazing additional support from DHL, Georgia Alice will be able to confidently continue to export and maintain growth internationally. I am overwhelmed that my brand has been selected and so excited for the future. A huge thank you to the judges who saw the potential in my brand, and of course to every girl out there wearing Georgia Alice.”

photography: Sam Lee

In its seventh year, the DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship is designed to identify New Zealand’s hottest up-and-coming fashion exporters and assist them in achieving international growth. The scholarship paves the way for Georgia Alice to make a huge impact on the global fashion scene.

Georgia Currie (Georgia Alice) her brand. But at the heart of it her collections are strong - you can tell if a garment is a Georgia Alice piece. I could see her being the next Karen Walker.”

The first and second runners-up, Sly Guild and Lucy McIntosh received freight to the value of $1,500 and $500, respectively. F PN www.georgiaalice.com www.slyguild.com www.lucymcintosh.co.nz

The scholarship has become an early identifier of young talent in New Zealand, with previous winners such as Stolen Girlfriends Club, Lonely Hearts, twentysevennames and I Love Ugly going on to significant international recognition.

In a first for the competition, inaugural winner Dan Gosling, director and part owner of Stolen Girlfriends Club, returned to the DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship as a judge. Gosling joined an esteemed panel that includes John Kelly, MAX Fashions CEO, Paul Blomfield, chairman at FINZ and Megan Wildermoth, fashion and textiles specialist at DHL. Gosling says: “The momentum Georgia’s receiving reminds me of what it was like at the beginning with Stolen Girlfriends Club. She’s definitely at the tipping point in terms of

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FASHION + STYLE: JULIE ROULSTON

Fashion Designer Christmas You may not be able to afford to buy your sister/partner/bestie a designer dress for Christmas, but your gift can still have fashion cachet.

Local designers have developed branded treats just for Christmas gifting: both adorable and affordable.

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Andrea Moore hand poured natural wax and botanical scent candle $59 Deadly Ponies Diary $48 Ingrid Starnes Vetyver Bergamot hand cream $49 Karen Walker Happy Socks (box set) $80 New Zealand Fashion Museum 1st Anniversary silk habotai scarf $45 Ruby See You Later Sport Sack $89 Ruby Pencil Set/Highlighter Set $14 each Saben Merit Bracelet ‘Scout Leader’ $30 Stolen Girlfriends Club ‘Essentials” Twisted Bolt Ring $169 Trelise Cooper phone cover $45 Workshop Denim Selvedge apron $149

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9 10 WHERE TO BUY Andrea Moore www.andreamoore.co.nz Deadly Ponies www.deadlyponies.com Ingrid Starnes www.ingridstarnes.co.nz Karen Walker www.karenwalker.com New Zealand Fashion Museum www.nzfashionmuseum.org.nz Ruby www.rubynz.com Saben www.saben.net.nz Trelise Cooper www.trelisecooper.com Workshop www.workshop.co.nz PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FASHION + STYLE

FANS ... PLEASE LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/ponsonbynews

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FASHION + STYLE: JULIE ROULSTON

Swimwear Loves Sunnies They go together like sun and surf; seafood and the barbie, a long hot day and a tall cold drink. Even better, pair the right swimsuit with the right sunglasses and the look becomes even greater than the sum of its parts.

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1. Lonely Swim Zip Front Swimsuit $195 Dita Mach-Two B sunglasses (18k gold detailing) $989 2. Carena West Swim bikini top and bottom, $69 each Stolen Girlfriends Club Poison Ivy Black/Crystal sunglasses $279 3. Witchery Swim Portofino swimsuit $169.90 Andrea Moore Flash Crystal Mirror sunglasses $379

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4. Witchery Swim Miami Top $79.90 and Miami Bottom $64.90 Ksubi Lyonesse sunglasses $289

WHERE TO BUY Alex Perry @ Specsavers www.specsavers.co.nz; Andrea Moore www.andreamoore.co.nz; Carena West Swim www.carenawest.com; Dita @ Superette www.superette.co.nz; Dolce & Gabana www.sunglasshut.com; Jets www.jets.com.au; Kate Sylvester www.katesylvester.com; Ksubi www.ksubi.com;

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5. Witchery Swim La Top $79.90 and La Bottom $64.90 Alex Perry sunglasses $369 6. Sylvester Chevron bathers $195 Kate Sylvester Camille sunglasses $168

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7. Carena West Dawn suit $149 Ray-Ban sunglasses $395 8. Paula Ryan mesh swimsuit $195 Dolce & Gabana sunglasses $410 9. Jets Aspire swimsuit $139 AUD + $AUD20 shipping Pared Pared Kohls and Kaftans Tort sunglasses with Swarovski Crystals $325

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Lonely Swim www.lonelyheartslabel.com; Pared @ Occhiali www.occhiali.co.nz; Paula Ryan www.paularyan.com; Ray-Ban www.sunglasshut.com; Stolen Girlfriends Club www.stolengirlfriendsclub.com; Sylvester www.katesylvester.com; Witchery www.witchery.co.nz The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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FASHION + STYLE ASTI ALEXANDER - DIPLOMA STUDENT OF NZ FASHION ACADEMY 2014 Asti Alexander is finishing off her Diploma at New Zealand Academy of Fashion.

“I just love to design, pattern make and sew, it’s really all I do!” she says. She aims to have her own label in the future, “but first I want to intern somewhere to understand the business before I go out on my own.”

Asti started at the New Zealand Academy of Fashion straight from school, finding the people at the academy comfortable to work with and plenty of one-on-one student -teacher time. “I have friends who tell me that in other courses they seem to be training them to work in a factory, with a lot of pressure and intimidation, whereas I am still really excited about what I am learning.”

Working with the patternmaking tool made everything easier and faster to learn than metric patternmaking for Asti - and it made more sense when she was able to play with it to create her designs.

Craftmanship and design are the features that make a quality garment, Asti says. “If you make something expensive then it should look visually appealing, well designed and expertly crafted.

“I got more from the course than I expected,” says Asti. “I feel now I can do everything, and I am looking forward to next year and the more advanced modules. During the course I couldn’t wait to get back to my days at the Academy and find out about the next thing I was going to learn, I never missed a day’s class!” F PN NEW ZEALAND ACADEMY OF FASHION, T: 09 974 4683, contact@fashiondesign.co.nz www.fashiondesign.co.nz

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

GET ‘EM WHILE THEY’RE HOT Three standout deliveries have just arrived in local stores.

Remember, in the style realm more than any other: ‘first in, best dressed’.

Collette by Collette Dinnigan at Goodness Famed as the first Australian designer to show on schedule at Paris Fashion Week (but born in New Zealand and trained at Wellington Polytech), Collette Dinnigan’s Resort 2015 diffusion line has just dropped at Goodness. “Dancing bird and flower prints, heavenly Havana dubbed appliqué designs, lovely lace and sleek Buena Vista silks” in shirt dresses, shirts and shorts.

FASHION + STYLE INTRODUCING THE SHELTER Clothing, food, and homeware are all delivered in a sophisticated and creative environment for discerning shoppers at The Shelter, a new concept store envisioned by New Zealand designer Vicki Taylor.

A shared contemporary space of like-minded, design-led brands located at 78 Mackelvie Street in Ponsonby, The Shelter houses a carefully curated selection of new and established brands from New Zealand and abroad.

Brands include Maison Martin Margiela, Danish clothing designer Barbara Gongini, Canadian jewellery designer Arielle de Pinto and local brands such as Jimmy D, Monday’s Child from Christchurch and Vicki Taylor’s own brand, taylor. The Shelter also features homeware from Foxes Den, an on-site cafe and bikes from tokyobike.

All the brands at The Shelter complement each other with the majority manufacturing in their own countries.

Vicki Taylor had the concept in mind for The Shelter for many years and was waiting for the right location and time to present itself.

“The idea is that you can access design-led versions of all your lifestyle essentials at The Shelter,” says Vicki. “The Shelter shopper is intellectual and appreciates beautifully designed things. She or he wants to discover new brands, and doesn’t necessarily want everyone to know where they’ve shopped. They seek out the young designers of tomorrow.”

The Shelter is open seven days a week - a real destination store this summer with outstanding fashion, footwear and accessories, on-site cafe, outdoor seating and even PN bicycle hire. F

New Balance 574 High Roller at Storm The first small drop sold out and style mavens have been calling for these kicks ever since. New Balance have re-released the 574 High Roller in black with limited edition animal print lining.

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

M.A.C. Pradal Gurung One of the most beautiful, collectible cosmetic collections you could imagine.

“The modern glamour and immaculate style of (acclaimed New York based) fashion designer Prabal Gurung comes to M.A.C in an opulent collaboration featuring smoky, gilded hues and beautiful custom gold packaging.” F PN GOODNESS www.goodness.co.nz STORM www.stormonline.com M.A.C www.maccosmetics.com

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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.

25 VERMONT STREET, PONSONBY 15 DECEMBER 1925

Dear Louisa, gathered; the bodice then falls to a dropped waist seam into which the skirt is lightly gathered.

The sleeves are long and bell-shaped. Now for the glorious details! The back of the skirt descends into a train while the front gently rises to reveal the ankles from mid-calf. The lower edge of the train is overlaid with silver lamé that continues in a band around to the front where the band narrows and rises up, arches, and then descends down the other side. The appliqué rises to just under the bust line. The pale gold spider web weight fine tulle sleeves will have scrolling patterns appliquéd to them in the same silver lamé.

I have yet to source the lamé, which has to be extremely light and delicate for the effect to be successful. Please do write or telephone if you see anything suitable. A small sample would be good to have too. I will also be making the bride’s coronet, which will be fashioned from entwined sprigs of wax orange blossoms.

She will be wearing a new veil of the same silk tulle being used for the sleeves.

Are you getting excited or anxious that Christmas is almost finally upon us? I am for once under control with my orders and think that I may be able to take a whole week off to relax! (I am touching my table as I write this!)

In fact I am so organised (bless me!) that I have an idea to give my favourite shopkeepers a little handmade Maudie Xmas present. It never hurts to reinforce one’s presence, especially at such a happy time, when hopefully the spirit of giving disguises any possible ulterior motive - like a request to put aside any celadon green velvet ribbon should it ever be in stock!

My thinking is that a pretty silk ribbon rosette for the ladies and a large plaid handkerchief in fine cotton for the gentlemen will do the trick. I have lots of oddments of ribbon and quite a few yards left of a bolt of fine plaid cotton (which I know I’ll never use) and methinks this would be a very good way of dispensing with it. I’ve set aside the weekend to get all this done which should be plenty of time. George is coming over to spend the entire weekend working on my front garden after a little pressure from me... I do want it looking nice on Christmas Day.

Talking about Christmas presents... On Saturday I’m going early to the Ramabai Indian and Oriental market at the Church of Christ hall. For one reason or another I’ve missed the fair the last two years and have had to listen to friends going on and on about how wonderful it was. Last Sunday night I went to a talk at the church given by a woman from Dunedin[i] who spoke about Pandita Ramabai and her work for the child widows in India. She and her ladies raise a lot of money each year to help these poor girls. A lot of the work is made by the girls. Apparently there’ll be cashmere shawls (although silly for this weather), pretty handmade laces and printed cotton and silk fabrics. Also on sale will be kimono and exotic jewellery from India, Armenia and Turkey. I hope to find an exotic but attractive necklace - perhaps made of coral and silver - to wear with some of my plain silk dresses.

Oh Louisa - I’ve had the most marvellous commission for a late summer wedding party! The bride was so pleased with the gown I’d designed for a friend of hers - at whose wedding she’d been a guest - that she approached me late last month for a meeting. Happily I’d just received a lovely selection of French fashion journals so we were able to go through them seeking inspiration.

I am thrilled with her taste which is not unlike mine - and we spent a good two hours engaged in chat about our favourite Parisian couturiers, perusing my fabrics and trims, and drinking copious cups of tea. It transpires too that her mother plays bridge with mother at the Remuera club. The world seems rather small sometimes doesn’t it!

Anyway Blanche (the bride) has settled on a Jeanne Lanvin-inspired gown that is simple in appearance but devilishly clever and complex in its construction. [ii] She wants it in exactly the same shade of pale gold silk georgette as the picture. The dress has a wide narrow yoke into which the bodice is lightly

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We’re meeting again next Wednesday to go through the journals for ideas for her bridesmaid’s gowns. She is having six of them! I’m going to be a busy, busy Maudie early next year but really Louisa, I can’t think of a better way to begin the New Year.

Well, my dear, I must boil the kettle and lay out the supper. George is coming at five for some of the lemon cake that I said I’d made today but in fact was given to me by the neighbour for feeding her chickens while she was away for the week. I shall confess though as it’s bound to be inferior to my lemon cake (which George had better notice).

Silly me - I almost forgot to tell you the name of Annie’s new baby. The poor thing has been called Lavinia (apparently after yet another Victorian ancestor!). So we were both wrong! As much as I would love to have won our bet, it would have been too, too cruel had the child been christened Hortense!

If you have time to write before Christmas, please do, otherwise will you come and stay for at least a weekend in the early New Year? I would love to see you.

With much love and all my best wishes for a very happy Christmas,

Maudie xx [i] A lecture on the work of inspirational Indian reformer, Pandita Ramabai (founder of the Mukti Mission) was given at the Church of Christ, Ponsonby on 10 September 1923 by Mrs. W. R. Don of Dunedin (Auckland Star, 8/9/1923, p.16) [ii] The gown that inspired Maudie can be seen by copying and pasting this link: http://www.philamuseum.org/collections/permanent/150828.html

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

illustration: Michael McClintock

And I’ve had such help from the local draperies over the year that I think I might take the girls at each of them a box of my best chocolate fudge to share around on Christmas Eve.

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HELENE RAVLICH: NATURAL BEAUTY

Local beauty: Dr. Sarah Hart Grey Lynn resident Sarah Hart can be seen dropping her children off at the local primary school, and also at the helm of Remuera’s Palm Clinic, where she works alongside other highly respected doctors in the field of appearance medicine.

What this woman doesn’t know about how to transform and take years off your visage is just not worth knowing, and when I met her I was immediately struck by her incredible knowledge base and her approachability. When it comes to the kind of patients Sarah sees, discretion and a caring approach is key, and she has both in spades.

A Fellow of the New Zealand College of Appearance Medicine, Sarah is one of only two New Zealand doctors on the international Botox Advisory Board and trains other doctors around the country in facial rejuvenation techniques. At the Palm Clinic she treats patients for varicose veins, liposuction, appearance medicine and laser treatments, and says that she was attracted to the area after years in hospitals due to the “artistic side of it. I see each face as my canvas and needles as my paintbrushes. I can sculpt beautiful cheeks or lips and make serious difference to the way a person feels about themselves, but in a safe, non-invasive way”.

No stranger to the media and an absolute pro to interview, Sarah is well known to viewers of television’s “Ten Years Younger” after three seasons working on the show and has been involved in the area of appearance medicine since 2002. “It was before even Botox was approved for cosmetic use,” she tells me, “and the early days for fillers too. It’s quite incredible when I think about it, even the way we injected both were so different to the way we do it now. It is an area that grows and changes more than any other area of medicine that I have been in, and it is so essential that you keep training and attending overseas conferences every year or you can so easily be left behind.”

She adds that the companies creating new products in the industry are very proactive and very competitive, “which benefits everyone all round as they pump more money into R&D and the range of options gets better every year. It’s the Holy Grail really as it is getting more affordable to try treatments out and so much of the population wants to look better or younger if they possibly can.”

Our conversation turns to who you should see when you are considering going down the appearance medicine path, and my belief that a doctor is the only option for this sort of treatment rings true with her as well. “Well, I think that you should see someone that is extremely well trained,” she says, “and has had a decent amount of formal education in the area of appearance medicine. In New Zealand the best training scheme is held by NZSCM, where the formalities and training take two years and all doctors who take part have to be GPs first.” She elaborates that this is because they must have full knowledge of the correct consultation process, “as a lot of what we do is communicating with patients and listening to them and finding out what it is that they really want and what their goals are. It’s not about us doing what we think, it’s about meeting the patient in the middle - are they after subtle facial rejuvenation or a really big ‘wow’? And what is the purpose for this?” She adds that there is currently no training scheme like this for nurses, “although there are some very good nurses around, just do your research first”.

She goes on to stress the importance of having an “aesthetic eye” when dealing with changes to a patient’s appearance, “and always doing a full face assessment, as if you come in wanting your lips done and your treatment provider only looks at those and nothing else, that’s when it can start to look weird. A bigger lip can alter the relationship with the chin, it has to fit in with the eyes...” She says she often undoes the lips of older women, “as the worst thing is spotting that someone has had their lips done, for me it’s a failure as a doctor”.

Two of the newest products she is using that she is very impressed by are Juvéderm VOLBELLA and Juvéderm VOLIFT, which are injectable gels used to restore volume and treat fine lines and wrinkles on the face. The former can be used to enhance the lips and surrounding area and can also work on fine lines and wrinkles with results lasting up to 12 months. VOLIFT is for the treatment of deep wrinkles, facial contouring and volume restoration, and can also be used for lips. Both are formulated with a local anaesthetic to reduce pain during treatment and give the softest, most natural look I have ever seen. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers have most definitely evolved as a mainstay for lip augmentation over the past few years. In fact, in Europe, there are around 70 or more of them on offer, yet only a few top brands you should care about. But the disconnect about lip enhancement is the dreaded trout pout, bee sting and duck lips look that gets pointed out on the red carpet all too often (think Courtney Love circa 2007, Lisa Rinna anytime), which is a shame because done well, it can be transformative in the very best PN sense of the word. (HELENE RAVLICH) F

TAMAKI SPORTS ACADEMY FREE METAL COLLECTION Tamaki Sports Academy offers mentoring, coaching, and work experience to South Auckland youth who have dropped out of the mainstream school system but show some sporting talent.

A major fundraiser for the academy, and an excellent source of work experience for our members, is the free metal collection service we offer. We will pick up any old metal - computers, whiteware, roofing iron, metal piping, venetian blinds, batteries, car panels, cars, metal shelving, filing cabinets, machinery, lawnmowers, engines, and so on. If you do have any metal rubbish to get rid of, we are keen to pick it up for you. It is a win-win for both of us. Thank you to everyone in advance, and to those who have donated metal to us previously. F PN Contact Tricia on M: 027 510 5890 or T: 09 276 0328 www.facebook.com/#!/TamakiSportsAcademy

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HELENE RAVLICH: NATURAL BEAUTY

Top of the blocks: getting serious about sun Finally we’re seeing a little sun of late, which for me is a reminder that summer is here - maybe? - and new sunscreen needs to go on the shopping list.

Whenever I’ve asked beauty experts - be they dermatologists, make up artists or cosmetic surgeons - for their pick when it comes to anti ageing skincare, they all agree that the most important thing you can do to keep your skin looking good well into old age is wear a sunscreen. Daily. No arguments, no forgetting on a cloudy day, no saying, “my olive complexion is a sunblock in itself!” Most sunscreens last 12 months max after being opened too, so if you’ve still got some sitting around in your beach bag or glove box from this time last year then chuck it - ASAP! The warmer days also mean I get a few new sunscreen formulas coming across my desk, but one that I go back to year on year is Osmosis Shade SPF 30 Sunscreen/Moisturiser. Designed for daily use, it is a broad-spectrum physical sunscreen that protects against the damaging effects of both UVA and UVB rays whilst providing great hydration. All natural, it works by utilising micronised and coated zinc oxide and titanium oxide, making it a safe sunscreen option that provides transparent coverage while ensuring that your UV protection remains harmless and non-toxic. The high-performance, luxurious sunscreen-meets-moisturiser is ideal for all skin types and can be applied under makeup or after a shave, and has a vanilla, grapefruit and coconut scent that brings the tropics inside even on a cloudy day.

I couldn’t cover suncare without reiterating once again how awesome the COOLA brand is. This is the baby that I recommend to anyone who asks me for advice on sun protection for their whole family, and the fact that their products are a seemingly effortless mix of high perfomance and beautiful to use formulas makes them loved by everyone who tries them. A beautifully packaged collection of organic sun essentials produced out of Southern California, the COOLA range includes a plethora of yummy products that are high performance yet delicate and kind on the environment. It is produced in limited quantity batches in California (where the company is based), meaning that the range can be reformulated often, taking advantage of new developments in sun science and labelling regulations almost as they happen.

The COOLA range has three distinct organic sunscreen collections to choose from: Plant UV, Mineral, and Classic, each based on different active ingredients. The Classic Sunscreens use organic active ingredients (commonly referred to as ‘chemicals’), while

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the Mineral Sunscreens use mineral (‘physical’) active ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to scatter and reflect UVA/UVB rays. The mineral sunscreens are effective right after application, making them perfect for the whole family, whilst the Plant UV collection protects the skin with naturally protective plant cells that contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Their newest offering is the Sport SPF50 Continuous Spray Sunscreen, which is a clear, continuous spray in an all-new SPF 50 unscented formula. It offers Broad Spectrum SPF 50 protection, and will nourish, repair and hydrate skin with 70%+ certified organic ingredients like Cucumber, Algae and Strawberry extracts, and thus far I am in love with it. It has 80 minutes of water resistance too, which is amongst the highest I have seen.

French beauty brand Guinot have also launched two - naturally - beautiful sun-focused formulas for the new season, the first being the Guinot High Protection SPF30 Spray, which is a sun-protecting spray with full broad spectrum protection that also happens to smell like pure vanilla. Seriously! It is a paraben free formula and the light formulation doesn’t leave white marks or a sticky residue, and an added bonus is the 360-degree spray nozzle for covering off those hard to reach places. As befitting an award-winning skincare brand, its ingredient list includes the likes of heliotropine - a molecule which helps to prevent the appearance of brown spots - and Litchi extract, which is derived from a tropical fruit found in southern China and helps to protect the skin against photoaging. Horse chestnut and seaweed extract are there to soothe and combat redness, whilst hydrocyte complex is a blend of sugars that help to deeply moisturise the skin.

The second Guinot offering is the very French Glamour Sun Gel SPF15, which is a gel formulation with a light and silky satin oil finish that works to protect against UVA and UVB rays as well as promoting even tanning. It leaves skin smooth and nourished, while light-reflecting particles leave a gentle gleam... this baby really makes you glow!

Lastly, on the supermarket front, Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced is the popular European brand’s newest offering, and features Sensitive Advanced Adults SPF 50+ for those that find many suncare options too harsh for their skin. As well as absorbing more than 90% of total UV rays, it is hypoallergenic, with no perfume and no colourants and dermatologically tested. It is available as a water resistant lotion or spray, and they also offer a lotion and a spray in this range for kids whose skin is too sensitive for their PN traditional Resisto range. (HELENE RAVLICH) F

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HELENE RAVLICH: NATURAL BEAUTY

Chatting with Sarah Tanner of Greenleaf Organics I first met health and wellness expert/blogger Sarah Tanner many, many years ago when she was at the top of a very different career trajectory as the owner of Sarah Priddy Nails.

Her approach to her life then - as now - was focused and full of passion for the task at hand, so it came as no surprise to me that she was set to add another string to her bow with the arrival of greenleaf organics.

Kicking off with a delivery service offering “organic, superfood smoothies and little drops of positivity right to your work, home or event to help you nourish, flourish and glow”, it is destined to be a huge success if the early excitement around Sarah and what she does is anything to go by. Add to that the aforementioned dedication and passion and you have a winning formula!

When we talk just six weeks after the business was officially launched she says that she has been both excited and humbled by the runaway success it has been, which is down in part to the great taste. It goes without saying that the smoothie blends she mixes up are absolutely delicious, but I have to ask - why smoothies? “For so many reasons,” she laughs, “but if I had to narrow it down, the convenience of maximum nutrition in minimum time. Whilst I do love a tall glass of cold-pressed carrot and ginger juice, smoothies provide me with everything I need, without the spikes in insulin levels that juice can bring. And, with the added benefit of fibre and healthy fats, smoothies especially greenleaf organics smoothies! - are the ultimate in nourishment.”

She started off making them all by hand in a shared commercial kitchen in Auckland, but recently shifted home to her garage, which has now been transformed into a raw commercial kitchen all of her own and awarded a Grade A kitchen certificate. “I’m so conscious of making sure that everything runs smoothly, and have been right from the start,” she explains, “and even though the kitchen I was sharing was a great facility, it just wasn’t my thing. It was taking me upwards of two hours to load up the car with everything I needed to take in, and I knew that wouldn’t work in the long run at all.” The new set up means that she can process orders all throughout the week as well, and it’s the perfect stepping stone for the next chapter in the organics story, which is a bricks and mortar site for retail and pick ups.

When asked what the most popular items are that are hitting her customers’ shopping carts she says “the cleanses have been incredibly popular, which has been a huge

surprise. I knew people would like them but it seems they really love them!” She developed all of the recipes herself at the beginning of March, “when I had double foot surgery and was flat on my back in bed for six weeks. This time, with the gift of a laptop and the Internet, was so valuable for me to research for hours and hours on end. I would look at what companies were doing in New York, United Kingdom. Sydney and even Sweden! Because of my time spent blogging as well, I feel I have pretty good knowledge of what works and the approaches to take. When we introduce a longer cleanse option, I would like to work with a naturopath to ensure the ultimate process for the desired outcome.”

When it comes to particular blends she says that her Chocolate Nut Milk is pretty popular - for obvious reasons! - as well as Jade (almond milk, coconut water, kale, cavolo nero, banana, activated cashews, spirulina, maca, cacao nibs, vanilla, himalayan salt, cold-pressed lemon juice, date and mint) and Amethyst (coconut water, coconut milk, acai, maqui, ginger, desiccated coconut, hemp seed oil, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, goji, chia seeds, cold-pressed lemon juice and date). “The smoothies are doing the work not me,” she says with a laugh, “but people are saying that it’s the most delicious cleanse they have ever done, that they feel great afterwards.” She says that people usually compare her cleanses to straight juice fasts, “which can leave you feeling pretty grotty and hungry in comparison. I think juices have their place, but a lot of them have a high fruit content just to make them palatable.”

Her latest reveal is a bespoke blend for new knitwear company Marle, which is naturally grey in shade and a nut milk with activated charcoal as a key ingredient. Used for over 3000 years in medicine, activated charcoal has properties that can help with the body’s detoxification and treat everything from stomach bugs to ulcers, also making it perfect for the silly season or when you’re feeling run down.

Lastly, I ask Sarah who or what inspired her business, and her everyday wellness journey? “My daughter Stella. She is my total drive for this path. I want her to be proud of her mum as she grows up. I want her to see what good health looks and feels like.

I want her to see that when you follow your passion... the most amazing things happen!”

PN (HELENE RAVLICH) F www.greenleaforganics.co.nz

FANS ... PLEASE LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/ponsonbynews

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

LIVING, THINKING + BEING TOTAL THERAPY REVITALISE YOUR HEALTH Nick and Natalya Kulakovsky arrived in Auckland from the Ukraine 17 years ago with one suitcase and a massage table.

Their first client was a neighbour’s son who was unwell. Word about their talents spread and soon people started knocking on their door. One of their patients, Nadia, was diagnosed with SLE (Lupus) an auto-immune disease at age 16. She took prescribed medication including steroids. “There were side effects. I still had pain and my body was getting weaker,” said Nadia.

By the time Nadia saw Natalya she was exhausted and desperate. “I noticed a great improvement in my pain levels after four treatments and after six months I began to phase out all my medication,” Nadia said. Nadia has continued regular massage over the years. “I rarely have any pain. Natalya’s knowledge and skill have revitalised my health and I’m so thankful that she came into my life.”

With training in physiology, bioenergetics, sports, traditional and ancient forms of massage, Nick and Natalya have years of experience. Both are passionate about offering their clients specialised massage seldom offered in New Zealand. In particular, Visceral Therapy (abdominal massage), which is based on the premise that the internal organs are linked to specific parts of the abdomen. Targeted abdominal massage assists with clearing blockages and dysfunction to improve circulation and blood flow. The result: more energy and a healthier body.

Total Therapy provides a wide range of therapeutic massages for medical conditions, as well as neck and back pain caused by extended periods of computer use.

TOTAL THERAPY, 510 Dominion Road, Balmoral, T: 09 630 3042 www.totaltherapy.co.nz

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LIVING, THINKING + BEING GASTROFEST RAISES OVER $70,000 FOR MERCY HOSPICE CELEBRATES 20 GASTRO-INTESTINAL CANCER RESEARCH YEARS FOR TREES OF REMEMBRANCE The Gastro-Intestinal Cancer Institute (GICI for short) raised more than $70,000 at its annual GastroFest event to improve outcomes of gastro-intestinal cancer by funding clinical trials and raising awareness of New Zealand’s most prevalent form of cancer.

GastroFest, hosted by Carly Flynn and held at Auckland’s Nathan Club earlier this month, attracted 200 guests who enjoyed a four course menu created by Geoff Scott (Vinnies), Gavin Doyle (Ortolana), Jason van Dorsten (Cafe Hanoi), Jess Daniell (Jess’ Underground Kitchen), Brian Campbell (Milse), and Jordan Rondel (The Caker).

Auction items included a trip to Italy with a private tour of the Ferrari Factory, a signed Richie McCaw All Blacks jersey and a Milbrook luxury golf holiday.

“We wanted to create an interactive dining experience that is unlike the typical charity dinner, one that would encourage guests to engage with one another, and with the food,” said GICI Chairman Grant Baker.

Guests were greeted at the door with Moa beer, sparkling sauvignon blanc from Kim Crawford and NZO volcanic spring water. They enjoyed fresh and spicy beef tartare made on the spot by Jason van Dorsten of Cafe Hanoi and delicious pickled fish with chervil butter on crostini from Gavin Doyle of Ortolana.

Chef Geoff Scott of Vinnies Restaurant invited guests to collect and carve a wine-barrel roasted pork loin for their table like an upscale Thursday roast. The main course was followed by decadent gelato sticks created by dessert gurus Milse, along with a selection of delicate and delicious mini cakes created by baking master Jordan Rondel, of The Caker.

“The money raised will allow New Zealand patients to participate in international clinical trials and will help us continue to raise awareness of GI cancers, which affect the digestive system and include cancer of the bowel, stomach, pancreas, liver, and oesophagus,” said Grant Baker.

“There are 5,000 new GI cancer diagnoses each year, making them New Zealand’s most common form of cancer; however, they remain under-represented in funding and public profile. We hope to change that.”

This year’s event was especially poignant with founder and former chairman Paul Hargreaves - a pancreatic cancer survivor himself - passing away after a stroke in August.

GICI would like to thank the generous Gold Sponsors: Cumulo9, Partridge Jewellers, Moa Beer and Kim Crawford Wines; and Silver Sponsors: Pfizer, Dorchester, and Cube Printing, as well as the businesses who contributed to the auction and dinner, the chefs, MC Carly Flynn, auctioneer Daniel Coulson and all those who attended GastroFest. F PN www.gicinz.org.nz

The Trees of Remembrance are a much loved tradition for Hospice and for the community and Mercy Hospice is excited to be celebrating this year, 20 years of the Trees of Remembrance.

Each year, two weeks before Christmas, a very special Christmas tree arrives at Royal Oak Mall, Eastridge Shopping Centre, Westfield 277, the Mercy hospice foyer, Hospice shops and online at www.mercyhospice.org.nz from 8 - 24 December.

These trees, as beautiful as any other Christmas tree, hold a special place in many Aucklanders' hearts.

The Trees of Remembrance provide an opportunity to honour and remember those who will not be with you this Christmas. You can make a donation and write your very own handwritten Christmas message on the decoration provided and hang it on the tree.

Lesley Dawson, the founder of the Trees of Remeembrance and Mercy Hospice pioneer fundraiser recalls how this concept came about.

“One evening 26 years ago I was watching Days of Our Lives, and saw Alice Horton, one of the characters, hang a Christmas bauble on the tree in honour of her son Bill who had died. A light bulb suddenly went off in my head and I knew this would be fantastic to offer people a way of remembering their loved ones and to raise funds for Hospice.

With support from Judy Macready, CEO at that time, I put together the very first Trees of Remembrance Campaign in New Zealand, where people could write a message on a bauble for a loved one who would not be with them at Christmas and hang it on a very special tree.”

Fast forward 20 years and hospices throughout the country now run Trees of Remembrance campaigns raising funds for their local hospice. This year also sees the additional support from Farmers nationwide.

Farmers for over 100 years has been an integral part of New Zealand’s communities.

Hospice are now thrilled that Farmers are commited to building a long term supporting relationship with hospices throughout the country - with a focus on raising awareness and funds.

The over-arching relationship will be referred to as ‘Caring Connections in our Community’. The name is very fitting because it reflects the community based nature of hospice services and the sense of connection that Farmers has in each community.

This relationship will see 27 hospices throughout the country benefit in a range of ways starting with the Trees of Remembrance Campaign. The activity will grow each year and so too the opportunity to raise funds and awareness of hospice services in the local community.

Carly Flynn with Geoff Scott of Vinnies, Herne Bay

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Many volunteers generously donate their time to help look after the trees and collect donations for Mercy Hospice Auckland. The money raised from this event helps Mercy Hospice to continue to provide all hospice services at no cost to patients and their families regardless of age, ethnicity, means or religion, all of which can only continue PN through the community’s generous and continued support. F PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PONSONBY NEWS REPORTED BACK IN May about Color Wow - a mineral powder that covers grey hair and regrowth including making dark roots look blonde - instantly, blending seamlessly until you wash it out.

The great news is that Color Wow is also water-resistant, so will keep your roots covered in the pool, in the sea, in the rain (and even withstand hot, sweaty days) until you shampoo it out.

Available in six shades, Color Wow mineral powder has many different pigments in each shade so that it looks natural, and reflective particles so that hair shines just like your own. It’s intended to keep your colourist’s work looking perfect until you return for your next appointment.

Wax-free, dye-free and ammonia-free, the formula is ideal for use by pregnant women.

Color Wow Root Cover Up powder is not tested on animals and contains no animal-derived ingredients. It won’t rub or blow off like other products, nor come off on your pillow. Color Wow comes in a neat little kit which includes a dual-tipped brush to allow for customised, precise application. Unsurprisingly, the product has racked up numerous beauty awards since it was launched in the US, including Womenswear Daily’s Product of the Year 2013 and Allure’s Best of Beauty ‘Best Beauty Breakthrough’ 2013. Color Wow is tested and approved by Ponsonby News, and is priced at a very reasonable $49.90: see stockist information below (or pop into Pricewise in Three Lamps). F PN

This Christmas treat your loved ones to a gift they’ll really enjoy, here are some ideas from the team at About Face: Give someone special a taste of the tropics with a Pure Fiji gift set starting from $15.

Choose from samplers of the most popular body products, premium candles and spa packs all attractively packaged in true Pure Fiji style. Tip: don’t wait, these sell out fast!

The ‘Ultimate Bliss’ two-in-one deal is the ultimate Christmas gift. It wraps two of About Face’s most popular Pure Fiji pampering treatments into one blissful 90-minute package.

Combining an Exotic Facial and an Island Retreat, it begins with a milk bath soak, sugar rub and coconut butter masque to soften and refresh the feet. Then continues with a Lomilomi back massage, a classic facial and ends with a heavenly hair treat. Voucher comes beautifully boxed and ready to give. Only $139, save $91.

Make Christmas super simple with an About Face gift voucher, whether your budget is $50, $100 or a little more. Choose a specific treatment or purchase a dollar value and let your loved one decide. All gift vouchers come in a beautiful gift box ready to slip under the tree.

To make it even easier, all of the above gifts can be bought online or pop in to one of PN their seven Auckland clinics, including the newest clinic on Jervois Road. F ABOUT FACE, 18 Jervois Road, Ponsonby, T: 09 378 4140, www.aboutface.co.nz

COLOR WOW, Farmers nationwide and selected pharmacies and salons.

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LIVING, THINKING + BEING

BREAKTHROUGH ‘ROOT’ PRODUCT POOL-PROOF

LIVING, THINKING + BEING ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS...

CLARE CALDWELL: THE ART OF LIVING RECENTLY I LISTENED TO AMERICAN NEUROSCIENTIST, LECTURER AND author Dr Joe Dispenza, talking about how our brains are wired and the potential to in fact re-wire them. He cited an experiment using two groups: a group of monks who had single-mindedly meditated on the concept of compassion for many months, and a control group of randomly selected people from various walks of life. Brain scans from EEG machines measured the electromagnetic frequencies, creating holographic images of how their respective brains were working.

The groups’ readings were totally different! In the monks’ group, the frontal lobes were all lit up in a way the scientists had never seen before. In the control group there was no perceptible difference at all. Could this skill of focused long-term attention be cultivated and practiced to tap into the ‘feel good’ areas of our brains in a sustainable way?

The brain is the machine in the human body that allows us to function and process thought (and accommodates automatic processes e.g. digestion). Mind is the brain in action - it’s what the brain does, therefore when studying and measuring a working brain, we’re studying the concept called ‘mind.’ So if the brain is the instrument for intelligence and processing thought, and the mind is what this brain does, then if you can improve the way your brain works, what’s doing the improving? Consciousness!

Our brains process 400 billion bits of information every second but we’re only aware of about 2,000. They’ve to do with three things: the body (do I have a headache?); the environment (is it too cold?); and time (how long’s this taking?). All of our self-awareness focuses on these three things, yet billions of other bits of information are processing simultaneously. When we can take self-awareness and move it away from the body, environment and time, we no longer have to live by their constraints. When we transcend them, through sustained, focused concentration, we begin to open the doors into the realms of the quantum field and consciousness, where the miraculous can happen, as according to Dr Dispenza and neurosurgeon Dr Eben Alexander, consciousness is not a product of the brain, it exists outside it.

Genetic inheritance makes up 50% of who we are. The other 50% is up to us. So how can our consciousness improve our brain-function and quality of life? Our thoughts and corresponding feelings create our reality every day, trapping us in the body, environment and time paradigm, which if unaltered, creates a self-perpetuating, self-fulfilling loop. By having the courage to try and transcend this loop and expand our consciousness, we can begin to reinvent ourselves, maybe beginning with a question, “How would it feel to be a happy person?”

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AT AROHA HEALING AROHA HEALING’S FRONT HALLWAY ENTRANCE AT THEIR MAIDSTONE STREET premise looks and smells like a fragrant flower garden - actually even their front garden smells amazing.

The team sell ‘Zen garden incense’ for a delightfully intriguing scented garden. Make some time over the next few weeks to visit Aroha Healing and awaken your senses to unique and interesting gifts and beautiful hand poured soy wax candles.

Aroha Healing’s limited edition 2014 Crystal + Precious stone Christmas candle collection is now available for purchase - Huhuatanga (abundance) Candle has seven small sunstones imbedded for positive thoughts, actions and attraction, Aroha (love) Candle with precious, heart healing, powerful Pounamu (New Zealand greenstone) pieces and a limited edition Kirihimete (Christmas) floral candle with imbedded mini amethyst pieces celebrating peace, love and happiness. Exquisitely ethereal.

This year wooden gift boxes (that are very handy and purposeful) feature this Xmas complementing the Aroha Healing Candle collection and all Aroha Healing products and holistic therapies - imagine the delight of opening a Xmas gift voucher for an Aroha Healing organic coconut back scrub and 90 minute Hawaiian Ka huna massage or an organic Reiki facial treatment! Check out the services to choose an interesting and different gift for your friends and loved ones.

Aroha Healing is open six days and will be open on Christmas eve for clients and last minute purchases. Aroha Healing would like to express their appreciation to their wonderful clients, students and retail partners. Also we have so much appreciation for the amazing support received from the team at Ponsonby News. We wish all a safe, PN relaxing and peaceful festive season. Arohanui. F AROHA HEALING, 3 Maidstone Street, T: 0800 646 326 www.arohahealing.co.nz www.arohahealingcandles.co.nz info@arohahealing.co.nz

Immediately that’s asked, the frontal lobe (the feel good centre) turns on, examining the wider world and wider possibility of our existence. This is a speculative question, so the brain reorganises itself to accommodate it. Every time we think about something new we grow new circuitry in our brains! By memorising and sustaining these connections we keep them alive. Making a commitment to changing our negative self-talk loop can literally re-wire our brains. We can begin to reinvent who we are and who we want to be. Maybe we can’t light up our frontal lobes like Tibetan monks, but it’s a good start!

(CLARE CALDWELL) F PN Clare (Claudie) Caldwell is a creative arts therapist who runs a small private practice from home. She is voluntary team leader of creative arts as therapy at Mercy Hospice Auckland, College Hill, where she has worked for the last 10 years. She is also a freelance artist.

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

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

LIVING, THINKING + BEING JASON GILBERT ADVANCED KINESIOLOGY Do you want to address the cause of your health problems without drugs?

Jason utilises the body’s muscle reflexes to test, correct and reset the body, mind, emotional and spiritual function in a very natural way. Jason likens it to what a computer programmer is to a computer system, he is to the human system.

Jason is the founder of FNI Kinesiology and also specialises in TBM and Psych-K Kinesiology. He also offers Pulsed Elector-Magnetic Field (PEMF) treatments which influence cell behaviour by introducing energy into the body.

He treats a broad range of conditions including structural misalignments, poor functional physiology, chronic and acute pain, allergic reactions, adrenal fatigue, chemical induced toxicity, fertility, overall performance enhancement and many more.

Jason provides a professional integrative solution for your health care needs that is a personalised total body treatment to optimise physical, mental and emotional health.

He has two base clinics in Auckland, one on Ponsonby and the other in Glen Eden and Jason is always open to visit new locations to share this work with groups and individuals. F PN TOTAL HEALTH, Ponsonby Clinic, 1 Franklin Road, West Auckland clinic - Unit 4 Gloucester Court, Glen Eden.

For further information call M: 021 488 886 or visit www.total-health.co.nz

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DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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PLANET AYURVEDA: ASK DOCTOR AJIT

Q: A:

Over the holidays, I always make sure my children apply sunscreen before playing outdoors. However, I always seem to have at least one case of sunburn over the Christmas break so wonder if you have any natural remedies that might help. P. Kumar, Ponsonby

Your children are right to love the summer in Auckland. It is a time when it earns its reputation as one of the world’s most liveable cities. Days spent relaxing on the beach and the lingering evening twilight are precious memories of my own time here in Auckland.

One of the downsides of so much bright sunshine is, of course, overexposure. This overexposure can lead to the ultraviolet waves of the light spectrum burning the skin, causing inflammation, pain and even blistering. Such injuries can begin within 30 minutes of exposure. In the case of sunburn, the experts all agree that prevention is better than cure so I repeat their message to slip, slop slap. However, having children of my own, I realise how difficult it is to watch them all the time and know that simple home remedies are sometimes required.

As you have probably read in my previous columns, Ayurvedic medicine uses the introduction of opposing qualities to bring the body into balance. Heat not only displays this quality but also those of oiliness, brightness and mobility so it recommends natural herbs that exhibit the opposite qualities: • Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) and Sandalwood (Santalum album) act as both good sunscreens and topical treatments for sunburn. They may be applied to protect the skin before going out into the sun or as a soothing paste to cool inflamed skin.

• Neem (Azadirachta indica) powder can be mixed vigorously in water until it starts to foam. The foam can then be applied to the sunburnt areas.

• Mix tomato juice in buttermilk, in the ratio of 1:6. Apply this to the sunburned areas, where the sour elements will help to heal the skin quickly.

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• Take cabbage or lettuce leaves and soak them in cold water or refrigerate them.

When they are cold enough, lay them on the affected parts of the skin. This will help reduce the inflammation.

• For sunburns on the face, mix some barley flour in milk to make a paste. Add a little sesame oil, honey and the white of an egg. Blend into a consistent paste and apply to the skin.

• Silver has been used for centuries in Ayurveda for its cooling and healing properties and is now available in a facial gel through the Ayurda skin care range.

Combined with the toning and purifying qualities of Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa) and Himalayan wild cherry (Prunus cerasoides), Silver Gel helps to reduce inflammation and support the skin’s natural integrity. Available from Spa Ayurda, Ponsonby.

• Another good way to prevent sunburn is to support the skin through regular oil massage. Regular oil massage with either sesame or Oliana oil not only keeps intercellular fluid well hydrated but also helps removes free radicals from extra-cellular fluid, preventing damage to sensitive skin tissue. Both oils are available from from Spa Ayurda, 213 Ponsonby Road www.spaayurda.co.nz • Avoid foods such as peanut butter, cheese, bread, miso soup, soya and tomato sauce. These foods have the same hot, oily and sharp qualities that can aggravate the skin and make it more susceptible to inflammation.

I hope that this advice will allow you to enjoy a happy and stress-free Christmas break.

I wish you and all my readers a healthy and relaxing time over Christmas. May you all spend it with the people that are dear to you and experience the emotional nourishment and comfort that comes from being surrounded by family and friends. (DR AJIT) F PN PLANET AYURVEDA, 41 Gillies Avenue, T: 09 522 5390, www.planetayurveda.co.nz

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

JOHN APPLETON: ON HEALTH

Is there really no evidence?

OFTEN AS PART OF A NEWS STORY OR DOCUMENTARY on television, so called ‘health experts’ when asked about the use of specific nutrients as treatment options tell us that there is no scientific evidence to recommend their use. This has almost become a mantra which is commonly used to close down any discussion.

There are however two sides to every story. Dr Ian Chambers, director of the United Kingdom’s Cochrane Centre stated that “critics of complementary medicine often seem to operate a double standard, being far more assiduous in their attempts to outlaw under-evaluated complementary medical practices than under-evaluated orthodox practices”... “more than 60% of orthodox treatments have not been scientifically proved” (BMJ 1998, 6 June; 1694).

Dr Richard Smith, editor of the British Medical Journal said in his own publication (BMJ 1991;303:798) “only about 15% of medical interventions are supported by solid scientific evidence... This is because only 1% of the articles in medical journals are scientifically sound and partly because many treatments have not been assessed at all.” I find the constant discrediting of nutritional options for health care disappointing and very disconcerting because scientists around the world are publishing results of studies on a daily basis.

Every month I receive an emailed report ‘Clinical Pearls’ which provides summaries of studies that have been published. This is available for anyone to look at www.vitasearch.com.

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Here are a few examples: “Extract from watermelon reduces blood pressure to such an extent in overweight people it could save their lives” (American Journal of Hypertension) - “Grape seed extract effective for advanced colorectal cancers” (University of Colorado Cancer Centre) “Cinnamon could counter Parkinson’s” (Rush University Medical Centre) - “Herbs as effective as drugs for treating diabetes” (University of Illinois) “Zinc protects eyesight as you age” (University of Alabama) - “Coenzyme Q10 blocks neurodegeneration and shows promise for slowing progression of Parkinson’s disease” (University of Windsor Ontario Canada) - “Zinc deficiency magnifies lethal immune response to Sepsis” (Ohio State University).

It must frustrate the scientists who conduct this research when their studies are continually ignored. Many people might wonder why it is like this, surely we want the safest and most effective solutions when it comes to treatment options? If it were a simple matter of finding out what works and what doesn’t, our health system would be vastly different.

University based scientists would be hard at work testing all manner of substances in the ongoing search for the best possible options for preventing and treating disease.

Regrettably it doesn’t work like this because our health system which is funded by the state is entirely focused on the use of drugs. We pay our money to multi-national corporations to develop ‘medicines’ that are prescribed by our doctors and unfortunately for us that’s where it starts and finishes. We have no choice.

It doesn’t matter how much evidence one presents, it falls on deaf ears. American cardiologist Dr Thomas Levy in his book ‘Vitamin C Curing the Incurable’ lists 1200 references from the medical literature - yet vitamin C remains off the ‘menu’ even when everything that pharmaceutical medicine has to offer has failed.

Carolyn Dean who is a medical doctor in the United States sums the situation up very well. “It’s not about who is right or wrong it’s about who is in control”.

It’s interesting to observe that witness testimony in a courtroom is often the primary source of information that the court must use to reach a verdict. Surely a patient’s story or a doctor’s experience would be considered essential evidence in medicine. Regrettably witness testimony is at the bottom of the medical evidence pyramid - even if outcomes can be replicated many times.

This situation is not going to change any time soon so as I see it we must be more proactive when it comes to determining what is best for us. If we are not willing to look around and consider how we might improve our health using readily accessible scientific research - we are putting our future in the hands of those who choose profits before people. (JOHN APPLETON) F PN APPLETON ASSOCIATES, T: 09 489 9362 john@johnappleton.co.nz www.johnappleton.co.nz

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MICHELLE OWEN: POSTURE TO PERFORMANCE

Get ready to run With the summer approaching it’s a great time to be able to put on the running shoes and get out into nature.

Going for a run is a nice easy option as you can head straight out the door and be home again in a nice quick efficient time frame.

Whether you are doing a quick 30 minute jog for general fitness or working towards a marathon, running injuries are extremely prominent. There is nothing more frustrating than just improving your running fitness to find a little niggle occur in your hip, knee, or a pain in your foot.

You think it will be ok, so you keep on pushing though. It is not long before the running has come to an abrupt halt. You know the story! The trips to the physio start and you are given a single leg squat or something similar to try and get back on the road to rehab... again.

Why does this happen?

A lot of runners do not consider the need for stability and strength to enable them to endure their chosen sport. The repetitive nature of running can defiantly lead to overuse injuries - you need to be strong.

Weakness, tightness, pelvis or sling imbalances, leg length discrepancies, lack of conditioning are just some of the things that can occur within runners and other endurance athletes. Of course it is important to have the right shoes, but buying expensive shoes or orthotics that will perhaps stop you pronating (rolling in) is just really a Band-Aid, like putting a piece of cardboard under a wobbly table.

Lets be smart and look a little further up the chain to know that the feet and knees roll in for a reason. Running injuries occur through lack of stability in the core and hips, poor tracking, posture and awareness. When these things are going on you are at high risk of poor running mechanics.

Running too much before you are ready is a common mistake. Most of us want things now and perhaps rush the time needed for our body to condition to our new jog programme or starting to run longer distance. To sprint you need to be really stable!

A gradient suitable for you is essential.

When my clients present with pain from running, I assess to find the underlying issues.

It is essential to do proper conditioning if you want to avoid injury and have some longevity, not just in your sport but the integrity of your joints for the years to come.

Test yourself Stand in front of a mirror and squat up and down on one leg. Take notice of the direction your knee travels. Most of the time the knee will drop inwards and the opposite hip will drop away when there is weakness in the core and hips. You should be able to stabilise the knee in the same line as hip and second toe.

This position is amplified as you land in a run and the force comes up through ankle, knee and hip. Imbalance in these slings will lead to one side getting loaded more than the other and can lead to things like hip and knee replacements over time if not addressed.

What to do Get your own personalised structural rehab program starting with a Postural and Orthopedic Assessment. Learn a series of skilled exercises to correct your imbalance, complement and improve your running ability that you can do from gym or home. Turn your weakness into strength for improved running and much less injury.

(MICHELLE OWEN) F PN MICHELLE OWEN, Level 2, 10 New North Road, M: 021 770 153 www.michelleowen.co.nz www.fitness-n-function.co.nz

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SHEENA SHUVANI STARDUST ASTROLOGY

♐ SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 22) Element of fire.

Symbol: The Archer (Half centaur, half horse), Quality: Mutable (= flexibility) Motto: I seek, Favourite Word: Can. Most Hated Word: Can’t Planetary Ruler Jupiter.

Character Born under the lucky sign and smiled upon by mighty Jupiter, they are naturally dynamic, optimistic, cheerful, jolly, friendly and a fun loving prankster. Free-willed, confident, generous, enthusiastic, feisty, sporty, outdoorsy, a big hearted, egoistic and a street-wise swaggering adventurer! Sagittarians believe in themselves, think they know everything, will go in for righteous soap-box ranting, are stubborn, blundering, tactless, can’t keep secrets, over truthful, put their foot in their mouths, shoot barbed arrows that pierce the fainthearted, can dish it out but can’t take it (usually), love games, sports.

Helpful Advice It’s not always about you! Let others be themselves too. Also your barbed arrows of wit can wound the more sensitive.

Your Lucky Number According to Cheiro (the world’s greatest seer), the day your soul entered the earth planet, your day of birth is your luckiest number.

Favoured Precious Stones Diamonds, turquoise, topaz.

Favoured Metal Gold.

Favoured Colour Sky blue, orange, yellow.

(SHEENA SHUVANI) F PN

Career In the workplace a non-conformist, full of energy, helpful, positive, means well but tactless, will criticise, challenge authority, compile a dossier on the boss to shoot him down and will bite the hand that feeds them! Self-employment thus suits. Sagittarians successfully turn hobbies into careers. They engage with many people, work in sales, become professional sports people, manage holiday camps, own backpackers, become tour guides, singers, dancers, and get into outdoor work. They bounce back quickly from adversity, only temporarily deflated but can blame others when they don’t do so well.

Love and Sexuality Flirtatious, spunky, will take a chance, chat you up and plunge into seduction. Lusty Sagittarians are good company, love parties, are generous and affectionate. Turned on by erotic massage, turned off by deep emotions which they can’t really comprehend (water signs?) or staid stay-at-home types who won’t give them space (earth signs?).

They would interpret that as negativity. Suited to fellow fire signs who will share their wilderness adventures or air signs who will stimulate their intellect. Sagittarians are short on compliments and romance but affectionate and generous. Sagittarians see themselves as kings and queens, so don’t rain on their parade.

‘FEEL BETTER HOUSE TOURS’ EVEN BETTER IN 2015 Look Good Feel Better is a dedicated charity with the purpose of improving the self-esteem and quality of life of people undergoing treatment for cancer.

It’s our aim to improve their self-image and appearance through complimentary workshops that create a sense of support, confidence, courage and community.

Look Good Feel Better was founded in 1987 in the United States and is now in over 26 countries, serving 1.1 million people worldwide. Here, in New Zealand, Look Good Feel Better run more than 180 workshops each year and this year will help over 3,000 people. For the last 16 years they have held annual house tours throughout Auckland to raise funds for the charity. An annual event for many people, the ‘Feel Better House Tours’ this year will again feature a diverse selection of truly beautiful homes. From

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a beautiful, historic villa in Epsom, which was once owned by the Mayor of Mt Eden to an ultra modern, recently completed home in Pt Chevalier, by award winning architects Smith & Scully, these homes will have practical advice from architects and interior designers that you can take away with you.

All proceeds* from the House Tours will go directly to the day-to-day running of the workshops. This is a wonderful way to get a group of friends together to spend the day being inspired by beautiful architecture and leading edge design. Tickets are available now at www.ticketek.co.nz *All proceeds apart from small set up costs.

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

Brett Martin made the move from the eastern suburbs to take over Shoosh Hairdressing from the late Julieann Gascoigne in 2013.

Having lived in the Ponsonby area for 24 years, Brett was keen to build a business in his local community. It was always his desire to make changes at Shoosh and has gradually been making the salon his own. Refurbishing came first, bringing in a calm palette of colour to make clients feel at peace, then the clever swing to the ‘Shout Hair’ brand.

“I never wanted the new brand to have reference to the previous name, but when a friend told me Shoosh was way too quiet for me, it seemed obvious,” says Brett.

Now with two of Brett's previous colleagues having joined the team, and bringing a wealth of knowledge between them, Shout Hair is making its mark. Shout is looking to extend its hours for 2015, but is open Tuesday to Saturday with late nights on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Goldwell ammonia free colour, Kerasilk Teatments, and an organic approach to hair helps to set Shout apart from the rest. New clients receive a free follow up blowave with treatment, and clients are encouraged to bring in their styling tools so the Shout team can teach them how to make the most of their tools. “A free loose finish to hair is vital so that clients can maintain it themselves,” explains Brett. Phone to make your appointment today. F PN SHOUT HAIR, 386 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn, T: 09 376 6534, E: team@shout.co.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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LIVIING, THINKING + BEING

FROM SHOOSH TO SHOUT!

FUTURE GENERATION GIVE GIFTS WITH GOOD STUFF THIS SEASON Choose healthier gifts with ecostore and say no to nasty chemicals.

• NO to sodium lauryl or laureth sulphate (SLS, SLES) • NO to cocamidoproply betaine (CAPB) • NO to optical brighteners Monday - Friday 10am-6pm, weekends 10am-5pm F PN ECOSTORE, 1 Scotland Street, T: 09 360 8477 www.ecostoredirect.co.nz

Yogi Kids director Michaela Sangl and her daughter Isla in a yoga manta ray pose.

YOGI KIDS CLASSES WITH MICHAELA SANGL Meet Michaela Sangl and you know you are in the presence of a rather special person, certainly a gifted one.

She radiates energy and joie de vivre as she speaks about her children’s yoga classes.

When you ask her about herself you quickly learn what an extraordinarily multi-talented person she is. In the Grey Lynn - Ponsonby area we know Michaela for her Yogi Kids classes, as well as yoga at kindergartens and for her enthusiastically received family yoga workshops. Add to this her background in architecture (BArch honours degree), award winning children’s book illustration, writing, singing, acting, dancing and interactive story and song app design - and you wonder, is there anything she can’t do? Well, she admits, administration is not my strong point.

Michaela is the author/illustrator/director and narrator of the gorgeous interactive “Princess No-I-Won’t” book app for iPhone and iPad, available through iTunes worldwide. The app, published in Germany, also features the voice of her talented young daughter, Isla. It has recently been the focus of a children’s holiday programme run by a German theatre company. In Ponsonby this January Michaela will be running her own exciting version - Drama Yoga “Princess No-I-Won’t” - for children aged five to seven years.

SURF LIFE SAVING NORTHERN REGION From December 22 to February 8, Surf Life Saving Northern Region will be running additional patrols at Milford, Takapuna Long Bay and Browns Bay beaches between 11am-6pm.

Summer safety tips: • Find a beach that is patrolled (www.findabeach.co.nz)

Michaela grew up in Auckland, studied here, then in Vienna, Rome and Berlin. She lived in Berlin for nine years where she also worked as a performer and recording artist.

Michaela is director of Yogi Kids and teaches in Ponsonby, Grey Lynn and Devonport. She is a 200hr Integrated Yoga teacher, is also qualified in partner and community yoga and is a certified Samadhi and Rainbow Kids yoga instructor.

Isla, who turns 10 this month, is the reason proud mum Michaela started creating kids’ yoga classes. “We attended kids’ yoga in Berlin and I felt totally inspired by the concept.

I could see the potential benefits of creative yoga for children were huge,” she says.

“Yoga works with the whole child - the body becomes stronger and more flexible and the mind becomes focused. Relaxation and breath awareness are so important for children today and yoga gives them the tools to use their breath to calm or energise.”

• Listen to the advice of lifeguards • Always keep an eye on children in the water • Get a friend to swim with you - never swim or surf alone • Stay between the flags • Watch out for that rip... rips are calm patches of water that can sometimes have waves breaking to the side. Rippled, discoloured or foamy water with debris can also mean there is a rip present.

• Whether fishing or exploring at the beach, rocky outcrops can be very dangerous in large surf. When fishing, always wear a lifejacket. Never stand on a rock outcrop that is already wet (a sure sign waves will be washing over it) and always face the ocean; never turn your back on the sea.

Kids’ yoga with Michaela is nothing like adult yoga. “My passion is to teach yoga in an imaginative age-appropriate way that children love,” says Michaela. She quotes Einstein: “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales. When I examine myself and my methods of thought I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.”

Michaela explores yoga through travel, adventure and fantasy stories, games, group and partner poses with uplifting music and creative relaxation. Her love of travel shines through in yoga journeys to London, Paris, Japan, Galapagos Islands, Fiji, Australia, Africa, the Amazon jungle and Ancient Egypt. Movie themes have included Frozen, Harry Potter, The Hobbit and Star Wars.

Surf Life Saving is an essential rescue service as well as a charity that relies on the support of the community and its partners. The Summer Appeal is on now and runs through to February 28, 2015. If you don’t see a collector in your area, donations can PN be made by texting NORTHERN to 849 to automatically donate $3. F

Next year Yogi Kids will offer classes for children from four to six years and from seven to 10 years, on Tuesday afternoons at Nikki Ralston’s studio in Brown Street, Ponsonby.

Michaela’s colleague Nikki Fitzgerald will teach Mums and Bubs yoga at the Grey Lynn Community Centre. Family yoga days have proved immensely popular and there will be more to look forward to in 2015. Details of dates, venues and booking information are available on the Yogi Kids website. Class numbers are limited and fill quickly.

PN (PHILIPPA TAIT) F

www.northernregion.surflifesaving.org.nz

YOGI KIDS, info@yogikids.co.nz; www.yogikids.co.nz

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FUTURE GENERATION LEARN TO SWIM AT HOME THIS SUMMER Imagine if a swim coach could come to your home and teach your children to swim in the privacy of your home pool.

‘WITH ONE LOAF’ THE MILK OF KINDNESS IS FLOWING THROUGH GREY LYNN PRIMARY SCHOOL. THE children, inspired by teacher Grant O’Connor, who when driving to work pondered on the plight of families in need suggested to them a way to help someone have a house. He told them how a Canadian blogger bartered his way from a single red paperclip to a house doing online trades over the course of a year. This fired up his pupils’ imaginations and they decided to up-trade one loaf of bread for something more valuable. The enterprise also awakened a determination to give it their all and help someone in desperate need.

“It doesn’t matter if we get a house, or an apartment or a motel as long as someone can live in it,” says Emily Allan aged eight.

Grant really wants to see the young philanthropists stick with the project, no matter how long it takes, and the children are of like mind. Each child in the class has a job within a team and there is plenty of discussion about the potential of the items. The project kicked off only three weeks ago and already they are enjoying the sweet taste of success. After only four trades they acquired a brand new toilet, two designer cushions and two premium cinema seats from an Auckland movie theatre. The list is growing daily and now they have more items to trade.

Grant’s innovative approach to instilling a sense of social responsibility in these children and getting them to focus on adverse conditions in the wider community is commendable.

No matter what negative things happen in their own lives, it’s important to realise there are many people much worse off. And bear in mind, kids, “from the tiny acorn grows the mighty oak”. For those wishing to support the project curious about how it works, go to withoneloaf.blogspot.co.nz or check out ‘chasing cheetahs’ Facebook page: Withoneloaf. (DEIRDRE TOHILL) F PN

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

Well, now you can do just that with The Swim Bus Mobile swim school - they will bring the coach and equipment to you!

The Swim Bus has fantastic instructors who teach your child (or you) in familiar surroundings without the hassle of leaving home or having to put up with overcrowded swim lessons.

All their coaches are qualified (Austswim, SNZ) experienced and highly motivated to make your Swim Bus lessons the best swimming lessons you have ever experienced.

Catering for all ages and abilities, the Swim Bus coaches have a strong emphasis on teaching correct stroke technique and personal survival skills.

Book in for a one off lesson to teach a specific skill such as diving, tumble turns, or butterfly. Alternatively book in for a series of lessons and get the best out of the service. You can even create your own small group (up to four) with friends or family of similar swimming ability and share the cost.

Check out the Swim Bus today - you will be delighted at how cost effective and fun PN the service is. F THE SWIM BUS MOBILE SWIM SCHOOL, M: 027 423 8807 tanya@theswimbus.co.nz www.theswimbus.co.nz

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FUTURE GENERATION SO MUCH TIME - HOW TO FILL IT? KEEPING THE KIDS HAPPY THESE HOLIDAYS GETTING OUT THERE Crystal Mountain is a rustic little theme park and crystal museum. The park isn’t themed around crystals, but there is a comprehensive shop with a glittering selection and an underground museum with impressive examples. Best suited for kids aged nine and younger, they can meet and feed the park’s resident animals, ride a pony, a mini roller coaster, or jump on the bungy trampoline. They’ll want to do everything over and over again so head to Swanson for the day and bring a picnic or eat at the cafe.

Mt Albert Wave Pool: If you prefer your pirate themed excitement to be a little less salty, take the kids to the wave pool in Mt Albert. The pool has a Caribbean pirate theme and waves operate on the hour and every half hour during busy periods. The aquatic centre also has a heated indoor pool and lessons available.

Stardome Observatory: Auckland’s planetarium and observatory. Bookings are essential for the digital shows, and a visit to their website is probably also essential before a visit to the Stardome itself - just to help you decide which activities to do! They run a school holiday programme with crafts, face-painting and other space-themed fun.

For the older kids there is Spookers. This is a haunted attraction ‘scream park’ experience in a former nurses hostel in the Kingseat Hospital grounds in Karaka. It offers various ‘levels’ of terror and according to one member of the Ponsonby News team, even the simple ‘tour’ was so frightening she never wants to go back. “But for those who love a good scare this is the place to go!”

DO IT FOR FREE - OR ALMOST FREE! On a sunny day: Use the stream of water from a hose as the stick for a game of limbo; create a circle or square on your lawn using rope and place balls of varying sizes and weights inside then give the kids a hose and challenge them to push the balls out with the water in less than a minute.

Give younger kids a sponge and two buckets or large containers each - one filled with water and one empty. Then they have to transfer the water from one bucket to the other using only the sponge. Whoever does it the fastest gets a prize - you decide what that will be! Kids can also play solo by racing against the clock. This could even segue into washing the family car...

On a rainy day: try an old fashioned carry-on story. Each child has a piece of paper (not too big!) and begins a story. It can be a paragraph, a sentence or only a few words.

They then fold the paper over to hide what they’ve written, but leaving a few words for the next person to see. Then pass the piece of paper to the next person to carry on the story. Repeat until the paper is filled. In a group of kids of varying ages it can work very well - with children just old enough to scrawl a word or two, right up to budding novelists all enjoying the crazy stories that come out. This can be done with drawings also.

A yard sale of kids-only stuff: Encourage the children to do most of the organising, pricing and selling - then they can keep the profits. It’s a great way to have a clean out and for the young ones to part with some toys and dusty ornaments - it’s easier for them to ‘let go’ once they get those dollar signs in their eyes! Get organised in advance and have the kids to make posters and let their friends and neighbours know. If you can provide food, coffee (to sell) and entertainment on the day you can create quite a festive atmosphere. F PN

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

JUMP - EXERCISE IN DISGUISE JUMP is New Zealand’s premier indoor trampoline park, and now it’s bigger and better than ever before with a third arena located in Mairangi Bay, North Shore, opening mid December - just in time for the school summer break!

JUMP is suitable for all ages, skill levels and occasions. JUMP offers a massive arena with well over 100 trampolines for you to jump, flip or just play around in a safe and controlled environment. JUMP facilities include a large foam pit, basketball lanes, dodgeball courts, a huge wall-to-wall main free running area with interlocking trampolines and a performance wall for the advanced.

There is also an inhouse cafe, JUMP.fuel, is open to the public and makes fresh food and coffee daily.

JUMP prides itself on its birthday parties, as well as school excursions, corporate events, festive events, family fun, and JUMP.fit unique fitness classes of 45 minutes that burn up to 1000 calories.

After having tried your first JUMP session you will crave for more!

Bookings are essential to secure your spot as there is limited capacity allowed for each JUMP session.

FUTURE GENERATION THE FAIRY SHOP WELCOMES A NEW OWNER These school holidays bring the kids to visit one of Ponsonby’s truly iconic shops.

The Fairy Shop has long been keeping a little corner of magic and providing entertainment for children’s parties both on and offsite, as well as gifts, catering, coffee and treats.

The Fairy Shop now welcomes a new owner, Gayleen MacKinnon. “I noticed the iconic store was for sale and the decision to purchase was almost immediate,” says Gayleen.

“After living in the area for 22 years I knew I would like to own a business here. The Fairy Shop has had only two owners! It is very exciting and an honour to be the third - I have big shoes to fill.”

Gayleen has three grown up children, one of them with fond memories of the garden that was once at front of The Fairy Shop with its toadstool seats...

Although the The Fairy Shop has changed since those days, there are still a few toadstool seats about the place and it still caters for both girls’ and boys’ parties; pirates and super heroes along with fairies, mermaids and the very popular ‘Frozen’ characters, Elsa and Anna.

Open 7 days until 7pm weeknights and 10pm Friday & Saturdays. Follow JUMP on Facebook and Twitter and get your jump on at the coolest venue in town by booking PN online - JUMP Indoor Trampoline Park, it’s exercise in disguise! F

“While we are a destination for customers from all over Auckland I want it to be a place where local mums, dads, grandparents and nannies can come and have a coffee, a bite to eat and enjoy that special time with their little ones - and not so little ones,” says Gayleen.

JUMP, 7a Arwen Place, East Tamaki and 48 Arrenway Drive, Mairangi Bay, T: 0800 JUMP WITH US, www.jumpwithus.co.nz

The Fairy Shop has lots happening between now and Christmas including weekly specials and market day specials. Visit their Facebook for updates and for school holiday activities.

THE FAIRY SHOP, 79 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 1560, www.thefairyshop.co.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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FUTURE GENERATION THE GIFT OF READING 2014 With all the kids hooked into technology these days, a book makes the perfect alternative festive gift.

We’re blessed with at least five bookstores selling children’s books in Greater Ponsonby, so book shopping is easy shopping. Here is a selection of some winners - for littlies through to pre-teens - out now.

PRESCHOOLERS+ The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Christmas 123 Eric Carle (Penguin, $12.99) Join the Very Hungry Caterpillar for some Christmas counting fun from 1 to 10 in this delightfully festive board book. Features Eric Carle's bright, distinctive artwork of 1 Father Christmas, 2 Christmas trees, 3 Christmas puddings, all the way up to 10 presents. Children will love to spot the Very Hungry Caterpillar making an appearance with every number.

The Boring Book Vasanti Unka (Penguin, $25) When the words in a tedious tome decide that life is just too dull, they escape. The world will never be the same again. The words jump into street signs, they leap onto shop signs, they decorate pathways and roadways and ponds. But one day they go too far…

FIVE YEARS TO INTERMEDIATE PRIMARY SCHOOL READERS Play in the Garden Sarah O’Neil (New Holland, $34.99) Have fun playing outside in the garden - this book is full of cool projects that require only the occasional bit of help from grownups. Instructive for adult beginner gardeners too!

The Imaginary World of...

Keri Smith (Penguin, $24,99) What kind of world would you like to inhabit? Here, Keri Smith begins with a list. Writing down everything the reader is drawn to, from things they love or collect to things that fascinate and excite (including objects, colours, sounds, textures, memories, places and people) the list serves as the building block for the creation of a new world based entirely on who the reader is as an individual.

STRONG PRIMARY SCHOOL READERS TO PRE-TEENS The Long Haul: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney (Penguin, $17.99) The Diary of Wimpy Kid series of books, by best-selling author Jeff Kinney, charts the

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highs and lows of our middle school hero, Greg, as he stumbles and fumbles from childhood to teenhood via school-hood. Sometimes helped by his friends and family, often not helped by himself!

The New Zealand Nature Activity Book Dave Gunson (New Holland, $24.99) Immerse yourself in the world of New Zealand nature - exciting activities and projects to discover awesome stuff about science and what goes on outdoors. Puzzles, fascinating facts and oddball jokes as well!

Build the T Rex Darren Naish (New Holland, $29.99) These sets come with a box containing all the pieces to build your very own 76cm long dinosaur, without needing any glue or scissors, plus a 32 page book full of fascinating facts and colourful illustrations of these prehistoric giants. Have fun while learning, and see the T. Rex like you never have before, with colourful illustrations, fascinating facts about dinosaurs, and finally building your very own model from the ground up.

The Island of Lost Horses Stacy Gregg (Harper Collins, $24.99) In a based-on-a-true-story that slips back and forth between past and present the daughter of a marine biologist, finds that fantasy and reality meet in a galloping tale of rescue, family, Caribbean islands and, of course, a wonderful horse - the real life world's rarest horse, the Abaco Barb.

One Girl One Dream Laura Dekker (Harper Collins, $29.99) A voyage around the world is an impressive feat and Laura Dekker was just 14 years old when she began the journey in her 12-metre yacht. In 'One Girl One Dream' Laura describes everything from ocean storms to sailing tech and navigation, on board school work, island stopovers and sleepless nights.

In her own words, Laura gives readers every detail of an incredible voyage that lasted two years and made her the youngest person ever to circumnavigate the globe.

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FUTURE GENERATION ‘WORK HARD AND STAY HUMBLE’ This is the maxim lived out by Sione Pole and Philip Ega as students of St Paul’s College in Ponsonby.

Sione Pole out-classed over 300 Pasifika and Maori applicants throughout New Zealand to be one of the successful few to win the Auckland University Chancellor’s Scholarship valued up to $50,000.

Philip Ega was awarded the AUT Vice Chancellor Scholarship for Secondary Schools covering three years of tuition at $15,000. A glimpse into the stories behind these bright young students reveals these awards are well deserved.

Sione is the eighth of nine children and the second to go to university. He dreams of becoming a doctor specialising in rheumatology. Sione had already been offered a place in the medical programme at Otago University but chose to proceed with the offer from Auckland University. He will initially study a conjoint degree in Health Science and Commerce.

His inspiration for medicine began at an early age with his father immobilised by arthritis and his younger brother contracting rheumatic fever. Witnessing the great care and compassion of the doctors and medical staff left a lasting impression on Sione.

Sione Pole with Mark Rice, Principal of St Paul’s College

His success has been the result of a disciplined lifestyle and hard work; with study nights hidden away in the Auckland University library from 6pm to 11pm most nights (often missing dinner) his duties as Deputy Head-boy, his leadership with the Young Vinnies (St Vincent De Paul Society) - a group that logged over 1300 hours this year freely serving the poor - achieving a silver medal for the Duke of Edinburgh Award, his cultural leadership of the Tongan group, and not least, being the vice-captain of the 1st XV, one could say he has had a rather full year!

He attributes his success to many things including the support and inspiration of his family and the fine teachers at St Paul’s that were both motivators and encouragers.

Sione says, “They would meet you where you were at and then push you from there!”

He greatly values his Catholic faith and the Marist values that were imbued in him over his college years - courage, passion, perseverance, selflessness and brotherhood. Sione explains that he would have his own little quotes in his back pocket - his favourite - “Work in silence and let your success speak for itself.” A prophetic phrase that has paid off.

Philip Ega, too, is an outstanding young man, student and athlete. His joy at receiving the AUT Scholarship was matched by the surprise of his mother travelling from the Solomon Islands to attend the senior prize-giving after a four-year separation. On hearing the news of the award, he admits, “I was crying I was so happy.”

Philip Ega receiving the AUT Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship

Philip has elected to study Health Science and Podiatry. His success, too, has not been won without self-discipline and application. He confesses that at times, the candle would be burning til 1am. His secret to success: learn to say no to temptation and to sacrifice social events to study when necessary. He confides that his little brother saved him from his biggest temptation - the PlayStation on more than one occasion!

Philip has made a significant contribution to St Paul’s College and to the wider community. He was the school’s half-back and co-captain in the 1st XV rugby team as well as playing cricket, he gained the silver medal for the Duke of Edinburgh Award, spent hours of service as a leader in the Young Vinnies group, and was responsible for various school activities.

He is quick to praise his “very supportive” teachers who encouraged him to step out of his comfort zone. He is very grateful to have been accepted into St Paul’s College as he says that it allowed new doors to open up for him and to find his faith. He explains that he knew he was Catholic but he never knew how it was to live the values.

It has taught him to be more respectful, it has inspired him to be a better person and he has matured as a young man. And if he had the chance to do it all over again? He wouldn’t change a thing.

PN Congratulations to both promising young men! F

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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FUTURE GENERATION WELL DONE RICHMOND ROAD SCHOOL Richmond Road School’s Te Whanau Whariki is the only primary school kapa haka team to make it to the Nationals next year.

They competed with 40 children on stage, and even their little reserves got to be on stage for the very first item. It was an amazing day on the day of the performance, followed by another incredible time when the results came through the next day. Their lead for the girls, Peachez Vetenibua, with her stunning voice which you may have seen at other performances (Christmas in the Park) came first equal for the region.

As the school told us, “We had phenomenal training from one of our young beginner teachers and awesome whanau involvement as everyone made costumes (cutting and preparing harakeke before weaving them), and got our children ready with hair and mojo.”

SWEET HOLIDAY DREAMS Emma Perdue is The Baby Sleep Consultant, a certified infant and child sleep consultant, business owner/founder and herself a mother of three under the age of seven. Emma shares six tips for settling your little ones these holidays.

1. Respect your infant’s need to sleep even when on holiday. Children under eight months especially don’t cope with over-tiredness very well, so factor in car naps, or stroller naps or early bed times to prevent the over-tired monster ruining your holiday!

2. Toddlers who are physically on the go all day can easily move from tired to over-tired quickly and appear hyperactive and wired. Combat this with early bed times when naps have been short or days busy. Early to bed does not mean early to rise.

3. Invest in some portable blackout blinds for the bach or family houses this summer.

Light coming in at 5am will help your children make serotonin and trigger their brains to wake up. This is even more likely when in an unfamiliar environment. There is a huge range on the market - everything from suction blinds to cot canopies.

4. Get your baby used to their portacot before you go away for a week. A couple of nights at home in their own room in their portacot will really help. Then make sure you take the sheets and blankets from their cot with you, so everything smells familiar to them.

5. Babies sometimes wake more frequently when they have settled in a strange environment. Try not to go backwards and over-respond: chances are their cry or grizzle has only woken you and not the entire house. Try to settle them back to sleep with as minimal fuss as possible, and unless you are a bed sharing family, don’t reactively co-sleep as this is a hard habit to change once you get home.

6. If you are camping or sharing a bach with some noisy friends or family, try some white noise for your baby’s naps so the children’s play noises don’t wake your baby and everyone doesn’t have to walk on eggshells each time your little one is due for PN a nap. F

CHILDREN’S BOOK REVIEW Island of Lost Horses by Stacy Gregg, HarperCollins, $24.99 A brand new novel by New Zealand author Stacy Gregg - author of The Princess and the Foal, winner of The New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults Children’s Choice Junior Fiction award.

The Island of the Lost Horses is based on the extraordinary true story of the Abaco Barb, a mystery that has been unsolved for over 500 years.

Two girls divided by time, united by their love for some very special horses - it’s an epic Caribbean adventure! On a remote tropical island, 12-year-old Beatriz stumbles across a wild mare with strange markings in the jungle and she can’t believe it is real. Yet from that moment on, a strong connection grows between them and she begins to uncover an incredible history; centuries ago, Felipa and her horse, Cara Blanca, were running for their lives.

As the fates of Beatriz, Felipa and their horses become entwined, Beatriz realises that the future of the world’s rarest horses depends on her. F PN DOROTHY BUTLER CHILDREN’S BOOKSHOP, 1 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 7283 www.childrensbookshop.co.nz

THE BABY SLEEP CONSULTANT, T: 021 724 362, www.babysleepconsultant.co.nz

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FUTURE GENERATION SUMMER FUNWARE Whether it is mermaid spotting, hunting for treasure at the beach, or building the perfect sandcastle, this summer is looking like enormous fun at Pumpkin Patch.

Beyond the adorable apparel they’re known for, kudos to the Patch for an attractive and extensive range of giftware this festive season, all under $30 and, at the time of writing, with the added incentive of “buy one, get one 50% off.”

Under The Sea or Marine Life Snorkel Set $29.99 Giraffe or Monster Hooded Towel $29.99 PUMPKIN PATCH, 250-252 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 1708 www.pumpkinpatch.co.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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BILLY HARRIS: KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY

The story of Hannah Adye comes with a twist So you thought you were serious about your sport? You might want to think again.

Eleven-year-old Hannah Adye does women’s artistic gymnastics, which means she competes in four disciplines - the vault, bar, beam and floor. To become proficient in any of those takes great skill and perserverance, but to master them all is a full time job, which is just how Hannah treats it. From 3.30pm to 8.00pm every week day (7.30 on Thursdays), and from 8.00am to 2.30pm on Saturdays (put your calculator away - that’s 28.5 hours training a week), the Grey Lynn School student can be found at the Tri-Star Gymnastics Club in Mt Roskill going through a routine which gives you cramp just reading about it.

Under their Russian coaches Vladimir and Angela Saraev (both have Masters of Sport from the USSR, and Vlad was a member of the Russian Gymnastics team, so it’s safe to assume they know their stuff), the students start their daily session with an hour of general conditioning: chin ups, press ups, leg lifts, cast to handstand, leg conditioning etc. Then they generally work on three or four apparatuses. For example, Hannah is currently learning new skills, which readers are encouraged not to try at home, including a Yurchenko vault, which consists of a round off onto a beat board followed by a flick flack over the vault horse, then a back tuck or pike. And full turns on the high bar. And layout twists on the floor, which are when you somersault with a straight body and then you add in a full twist as well. Over on the beam Hannah is learning, among other things, side aerials, which is a cartwheel without hands.

It’s gruelling stuff. Her muscles are usually aching, and her feet sore from the continual pounding. Frustration is a constant companion until a new skill is nailed. Neither Mum nor Dad has a gymnastic background, so it can be a long process explaining the moves.

Not surprising, because with moves like wolf jump, sheep jump, biryani, giant, flickflack, Yurchenko, aerial, layout, press to handstand, Russian leaps, sisone, pike jump, mammal turn, clear hips, tick tock, arabesque and flyaway, you need a PhD in gymnastics to understand the lingo.

There’s also the ever-present threat of injuries. Earlier this year Hannah tore three of the four ligaments in the joint of her pinky finger. No suggestion of time off though.

Unable to use her hand, she concentrated on her legs, working on leaps and aerials. So though she missed a competition, she hardly missed a beat.

But Hannah’s not the only one putting in the hours. Her parents are like taxi drivers, only without the pay, ferrying her back and forward across town, and raising money for Hannah’s next jaunt.

But they’re happy to make the sacrifice, because Hannah was born to be a gymnast.

From the moment she could walk, she demonstrated qualities which make her perfectly suited to the sport. She loved jumping and swinging on the monkey bars but also

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showed a penchant for risk taking which is essential for gymnastics. At her St James kindergarten in Grey Lynn, there were Cirque du Soleil type swings built for the kids to play on, which Hannah took to like a monkey to bananas. When she started school, she would lie in the splits position while she read her books.

Recognising Hannah’s need for an outlet, her mother took her to ballet, but once there she stubbornly refused to join in. Then they tried gymnastics and it was like letting a dog off a lead in a field full of seagulls. Hannah was in her element, and has grown to believe gymnastics is one of the most beautiful and dynamic sports in the world, a view shared by millions, because gymnastics is one of the three most watched Olympic sports.

She’s come a long way since that start seven years ago. Last year at the Australian club champs, Hannah came 6th in the all-round, and last month she represented Auckland at the New Zealand Nationals where she placed 5th in the all round.

To fulfil her ambition of emulating her hero Nadia Comaneci and competing at the Olympics, Hannah has much work still to do. Of the qualities necessary to succeed - flexibility, artistry, speed, strength and precision - Hannah lists the first three as strengths. She enjoys the vault and floor more than the beam and bar, but under Vlad’s guidance her bar has improved.

There’s plenty of motivation to keep working, as next June Hannah and a group of girls from the International Development Programme she trains with will have the trip of their young lives when they travel to China, where gymnastics is professional, to train and compete with some of the top clubs.

In that company, Hannah will be keen not to provide a blooper moment, which is part of every young gymnast’s reportoire. Recently she slipped while running full speed toward the vault horse, slid along the track and face planted into the horse. She’s also experienced a beam wedgie, which happens when, after a leap, the feet don’t come back together quickly enough and the legs slide down either side of the beam, resulting in nasty scrapes down the inner thigh before an abrupt collision with the beam. That hurts big time, but in Hannah’s mind, there’s only one way to deal with that sort of set back.

PN Get back on and try again. (BILLY HARRIS) F 20 November 2014, late breaking news. Hannah Adye scorched to victory in the final of the 100 metres at the inner school sports. She followed up the win with a 5th placing in the 200 metres. Fortunately there were no vault horses on the track.

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FUTURE GENERATION SAVING THE MULLET BOATS FROM EXTINCTION The story of the mullet boat is the story of sailing in the City of Sails for the last 130 years.

Mullet boats were just that in the early years - sail boats whose owners and crew netted mullet in inlets and estuaries around the Waitemata Harbour, and then raced each other into port to get the best price for their catch. Their cult following has developed from the early years of ‘mulletie culture’.

When I sailed in International Fourteen Footers, a very old class, and then on a 1905 A-class Iorangi, I fondly remember the hard case mulleties, tough and intrepid sailors, and equally intrepid drinkers. You couldn’t miss them on the water or at the after match functions. They are a 100-year-old institution on Auckland Harbour.

Some famous yachties have been involved in mullet boats down through the years, including Jim Davern, Chris Dickson’s dad Roy and grandfather James, Jim Lidgard, Ralph Roberts (Ralph had an International Fourteen Footer too), and many others.

Ponsonby News talked to Robert Cross about a project to save the mullet boats from extinction, to give a new lift to the mullet boat’s profile, and to encourage new sailors to venture into these L-class yachts.

This is an initiative by Waterfront Auckland and the Ponsonby Cruising Club. They are seeking sponsors, but also want to tell our readers something of the colourful history of the mullet boat.

In 1905, the Ponsonby Cruising Club elected Scottish grocery magnate and America’s Cup competitor, Sir Thomas Lipton, their vice president. That done, the fledgling club set about lobbying Sir Thomas for a trophy. They got the magnificent silver cup which mullet boats have sailed for every year since 1922. The Lipton Cup was wrought by the same silversmith as the America’s Cup and stands 5cm higher. When it arrived in New Zealand it was by far the richest sporting trophy in the country.

There was however, rumoured to have been a bit of subterfuge about the donation of the cup. The story goes that club members lined up outside the rather grand Esplanade Hotel in Devonport, where a photograph taken was sent to Sir Thomas. It looked very impressive, but the real yacht club was an old tin shed in St Mary’s Bay. There are still 50 or so mulleties around Auckland, but only a dozen are in good sailing shape.

One of the very early winners of the Lipton Cup, Valeria, owned by Pt Chevalier resident Ben Freedman, is still competing, and has featured in close seconds the last couple of years. A rather highly specked mulletie, the Orion, is moored very anonymously, in front of the Ponsonby Cruising Club.

The mullet boats are not an expensive class to get into. Mullet boats have six crew for racing, which makes them an ideal syndicate boat. Robert told us you could buy a mullet boat for six or seven thousand dollars. A boat can be maintained in competitive form on a modest budget, usually spread among several owners who each enjoy the involvement in the complete process.

“These boats carry huge sails relative to their size,” Robert Cross told us. “They are 22 feet long, with a 22 foot boom, and a 22 foot spinnaker. They are flat bottomed, so can cruise up shallow creeks and waterways for races, or just for a picnic outing.”

“They are challenging to sail - that is to sail to win races - but fun as well,” added Cross.

Owners love the challenge of ‘first principles sailing’, as well as participating in a part of New Zealand’s maritime history. They are unique to Auckland and wonderful camaraderie develops among crew.

Even a core group of Oracle America’s Cup sailors competed to earn the right to race for the Lipton Cup. They succeeded, but only narrowly, as they passed Valeria under the Harbour Bridge on the last leg to the finish line.

The proposed new home in Westhaven adjacent to the newly constructed boardwalk will return these boats to their original home in the shallows of St Mary’s Bay, their large boom covers displaying the livery of the sponsors. This is where they belong and Auckland will be richer again for them being there.

Robert Cross invites potential sponsors, or anyone interested in finding out more about sailing or buying a mullet boat to contact him at the email address below.

PN (JOHN ELLIOTT) F Robert@sailconnections.com or M: 021 240 9800.

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SIDELINE WITH GEORGE BERRY

CWC trophy draws big interest The arrival of the Cricket World Cup trophy and its subsequent tour around the country has certainly cemented the realisation that New Zealand is actually going to host the Cricket World Cup early next year.

Only four years on from the Rugby World Cup, having the summer tournament here is certainly a massive coup for New Zealand.

From helicopter rides up Ninety Mile Beach, to train rides across the Southern Alps, and a few rounds of beach or backyard cricket along the way, the reaction from the public has been amazing, the excitement is definitely building. By the time the first ball is bowled between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in the opening match on Valentine’s Day at Christchurch’s Hagley Park, it’ll be at fever pitch.

The other thing that was evident was the fun being had by the former New Zealand cricketers who accompanied the cup as well.

I was lucky enough to spend two days on the 2015 Trophy Tour where legends of the game like Sir Richard Hadlee, Chris Harris, Gavin Larsen and plenty more were mixing and mingling, showing off a few of their skills, albeit some of them rather dusty, and telling plenty of yarns.

Along with the funny moments, like explaining to a bunch of six year-olds who Sir Richard was, and the fact he wasn’t Sir Peter or Sir Paul like a couple of youngsters called him, seeing kids of all ages in all parts of the country getting involved was quite inspiring.

Kids who’d never picked up a cricket bat or ball in their lives were first to line up and have a crack at knocking over the stumps, or hitting one out of the park.

“This is fantastic,” said Sir Richard. “Some of the best parts have been the most random, unscheduled events that have quite simply taken your breath away, like up north where we stopped for lunch one day opened up some fish and chips and put the trophy on the picnic table as we ate. Within minutes there were scores of people lining up to have their photo taken with the trophy and asking plenty of questions about our chances of winning the tournament.

SIDELINE WITH GEORGE BERRY

So much to see and do close by With the Auckland marathon now behind us I thought I’d have a flick through some sporting events coming up which will keep you out and about over the festive season.

Boxing Day at the races is always a fun day out, but so too are 12 and 19 December at Alexandra Park. There’s nothing like live action mixed with a few festive drinks and a wee wager to add to the excitement. If you’re looking for a day of racing further afield for Boxing Day you could try the Pirongia Races. The rural, carefree feeling of the day mixed in with the hot December sun is often a winner even if you’re not with your betting slips.

If water based activities are more your scene then every day between now and the end of March (weather permitting) Auckland Sea Kayaks are running guided tours from St Heliers Beach to Rangitoto Island and back. There are half-day day options right through to a two-day volcanic island hopping tour so plenty to see and do and an option for all experience levels. I’ve yet to try this out but I am already asking around to see who’s keen to join me for a trip in the New Year.

If you’ve ever wanted to be Tom Cruise in The Last Samurai then how about giving Kyudo, Japanese style archery, a go? A very popular martial art with both men and women in Japan, given it’s all about technique rather than strength. The YMCA on Lagoon Drive is running open days on 5 and 6 December. It’s not too far from Ponsonby and is something very different to try but well worth the effort. However, you must be 16 and over to attend.

Who knew former Australian spin bowler Shane Warne was now a professional poker player? Turns out he’s pretty good at it too; must be something in learning to read your opponent. Anyway, if you would like to see what living the life of a high roller is like then try NPPL Poker at Miss Q in the Westgate shopping center. It’s an R18 event but on three Friday nights in December, the 5th, 12th and 19th it’s open to anyone to give it a go...

Maybe a pre-Christmas boys’ night out?

The Breakers won’t be taking a break over the summer, and the way they’ve been playing of late the entertainment value is top notch. As they say, worth the price of admission alone.

“Another day we had a couple of hours to kill so we pulled up to a beach and put the stumps in the sand and before we’d finished the first over there were 20 people all joined in and having a great old time. The trophy sitting there in the background as the sun was staring to go down. It couldn’t have been more idyllic if you’d actually planned it.

Auckland Critical Mass, no they’re not a church choir (although there’d be nothing wrong with that), is a social cycling event held on the last Friday of every month. It starts from Mount Albert Park then heads through the nearby streets and is a great chance to see the neighbourhood from a different perspective. The idea was born in San Francisco in 1992 and is now held in over 300 cities around the world.

“But the thing that I’ve come to love most of all on this tour is gaining the knowledge that people’s interest in cricket is still very much alive and well. Sometimes you wonder what the future of our sport is, but this has definitely answered any of those questions I, or anyone associated with the game, might have had.”

Are you the next Phil the Power Taylor? Well, if so, you can prove it at the Windsor Castle every Thursday night up until Christmas with Honest John’s Oche! Oche! Oche! Pub darts. (sounds like another boys night out to me).

If you missed out on catching the Trophy Tour in Auckland you can have yourself the next best thing, Eden Park will host four matches during the Cricket World Cup including semi final number one, a day night match on Tuesday 24 March. The Blackcaps also host Australia on 20 February before South Africa v Pakistan on 7 March and India v Zimbabwe a week later.

Or finally, after you’ve checked out the Auckland Maritime Museum and been inspired to test out your sea legs then you can jump on board the museum’s tall ship, Breeze. You’ll get an amazing look around the outer reaches of the Waitemata Harbour and get a first -hand taste, along with some salty air, of what it was like to be a sailor on the trade ships in the early 19th century. Suitable for everyone over the age of 12, it’s an adventure to talk about around the table for many Christmases to come.

The Blackcaps will also host Sri Lanka in a one-dayer on 17 January at Eden Park as PN well. (GEORGE BERRY) F

PN Plenty to do right on the back doorstep! (GEORGE BERRY) F

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PLEASE LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/ponsonbynews Mark Greatbatch with the CWC trophy in Auckland

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Swim bike run - sounds like fun IRONMAN, Iron Chef America and now IRONKIDSAuckland; giving all 5 to 12 year old kids the chance to be called an IRONKID Champion.

On Saturday 17 January the Ports of Auckland IRONKID event will be run in Wynyard Quarter with three distances to pick from: the 750 metres, the 1400 metres, and the longer two kilometre course for the slightly more adventurous and fit kids.

Every kid will receive a medal for finishing, along with a cap, drink bottle and a t-shirt to go with the reward of completing the event, so sign up and get that training programme underway. You never know, your kid might be the next Cameron Brown or Terenzo Bezzone.

And if you’re looking for a little adventure in the multisport space or just a good excuse to wear off some Christmas over indulging then you can’t go past the Sovereign Tri Series.

photography: Darryl Carey

With events all around the country over the summer it winds its way back to Auckland with the Takapuna ‘Battle of the Beach’ event on 13 February. Just like the IRONKDS there are distances to suit all comers from seasoned pros right down to the first timers.

You could easily create a team environment and compete in the Short Distance Tri. Also just for good measure this year there’s a corporate challenge, if you can get your CEO to sign up to the CEO Challenge then your company is in to win a whopping $25,000 for your chosen charity.

As they say, “Swim, bike, run and have plenty of fun along the way.”

(GEORGE BERRY) F PN

SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS WITHOUT YOUR TRAINER 10 easy steps to ensure you stay fit during the silly season.

You don’t have to pile on the pounds at Christmas, says local personal trainer and physiotherapist Jianni Felpas. Use the break instead to revitalise your routine and offset the effects of six-hour television marathons and diet debauchery so common during the silly season. If you’re looking for some ways to mitigate the loss of your trainer and regular gym visits over Christmas, start here!

1. Download a good pedometer app onto your smartphone - there’s a slew of studies that suggest tracking and maintaining a goal of 10,000 steps a day is one of the easiest ways to maintain your weight, mitigate the effects of blood glucose spikes and serious disease. Check the App Store or Google Play on your device for the one that’s right for you. Many are free.

2. When out walking find a set of stairs or hills - for local residents College Hill and Jacob’s Ladder turn a stroll after dinner into a challenging workout, or enjoy the Christmas lights along Franklin Road with the family - don’t forget to start at the bottom of the hill!

3. Pick up the pace and intensity. The key to getting fit is adding intensity when you exercise. High intensity aerobic intervals will increase your heart rate and make you fitter faster, while burning a higher proportion of fat. Integrate some intervals by, a) walking up stairs at double pace whenever you encounter them, b) power walk the hills when out walking, c) park benches are a great platform to perform step ups on. Try 10-20 reps on each leg.

7. Wherever possible try to minimise the damage to your diet by filling up on protein and green, fibre-rich veggies - it also pays to alternate the alcoholic beverages with a diet soda or sparkling water. You’ll not only save on all those empty calories, but you’ll feel less ‘weary’ the following morning.

8. Find a BFF (best fitness friend). A workout buddy will be hugely helpful in keeping you motivated, but it’s important to find someone who will inspire, not discourage you.

9. Stock the fridge and pantry with healthy options. Quite often we forget the staples of a healthy diet during the holiday season and stock up on all the ‘sometimes foods’. Make sure you always have an alternative to the Christmas mince pies and other goodies on hand.

10. Compile the perfect fitness playlist for your iPod/smartphone. Running to music is a great way to keep yourself motivated. Just ensure it’s not playing it too loudly, or you won’t hear those cars! To put together the ultimate playlist just think “what tracks really get me going?” (JIANNI FELPAS) F PN T: 021 542664.

4. Invest in a skipping rope (or borrow the kids’). Start off with 3-5 x 30 second intervals (with 30 to 60 seconds rest), building up to 10 sets, and even integrate this into your other exercise activities as a high intensity interval option. In fact, do it with the kids!

5. Jump in the pool and swim laps or aqua-jog. If you haven’t been swimming in a while why not integrate the two? Swim a lap, then jog the next. Point Erin Pools open soon, and the Tepid Baths are open year round.

6. When heading out to dinner with friends and family park a little distance away from the restaurant so you can enjoy a pre and post dinner stroll. Apply the same strategy to your Christmas gift shopping.

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PONSONBY PEOPLE + THEIR PETS

Andy Evans, Bow Wow Box Andy Evans is the founder of BowWowBox.co.nz, a new dog treat delivery service which is getting tails wagging all over the country with its all-natural monthly treat boxes - things you can’t find at a typical pet store.

Bow Wow Box’s unique all-natural treats contain minimal processing, no added preservatives nor flavourings, and whenever possible they are glycerin, wheat, gluten, soy, corn, and filler free.

Evans’ pooch Sally is one of Bow Wow Box’s chief testers, putting her paw of approval to every box!

How old is Sally?

Sally is 11 years old this January.

What breed is Sally?

A salt and pepper schnauzer.

How long have you had her?

Sally was born in January 2004 and has been with the family since March 2004.

How did you come to choose Sally?

My uncle’s next-door neighbour had a litter of pups and they had decided to keep her but then they changed their minds and offered her to us. We can’t imagine life without her now.

How did Sally get her name?

Sally’s name was given to her by my dad simply because he liked it!

What is your favourite thing to do together?

Sally absolutely LOVES her walks and goes completely nutty with her schnauzer squeal when she knows the walk is on. She tends to get a bit grumpy if she doesn’t get her daily walk. She also loves ‘show jumping’ which involves her best friend Isabella setting up an obstacle course.

THE TRUE AND ONLY SLIGHTLY EXAGGERATED TALES OF CHESTER PONSONBY Episode Three Time out for Chester at Ponsonby Veterinary Clinic’s popular, five star cattery - good view from the windows, familiar blankie, usual food, and attention. BUT, species discrimination - no long walks. Will have to make up for this!

And so off again, round the ‘hood.

Collected from Spaghetti Junction, top of Wellington Street. Very tired; slept on my bed as usual, happy to share reading the paper and watching TV in the evening. More motorway fascination a few weeks later - found (thanks for delivering him home!) at the Westhaven bridge ramps, having approached from London Street, St Marys Bay. Did he use the skateboard park on the way?

Traffic and playing chicken on the road are not the only hazards. Washing machine and dishwasher are NOT places to get inside. Remember, curiosity...

Another evening excursion. A stranger from the Surrey Crescent end of Williamson Avenue phoned, saying he’d let the cat out early. At least Chester came when I called.

Is this a battle of wills - am I winning? Purrs and snuggles like a regular cat.

On a high - riding shotgun on the back shelf of the car, when picked up from The Flying Fish.

Does Sally have a lot of friends?

She is more into human friends than dog friends! She can’t really be bothered with other dogs. Sally’s best friend is Isabella (14 years old), a family friend who she has grown up around. She now spends a great deal of her time at Isabella’s house.

All night out, then Wood Street was the day’s attraction. One wee boy in tears at losing his visitor, who was collected by his Uber Taxi. A woman who’d phoned earlier, came to check the next day that he was safe (she was happy he was asleep on the sofa). And Bronwyn Hughes, further up Vermont Street, thought her house was the only place where he often spends time...

What does Sally like to eat?

She loves testing the all-natural treats in our monthly Bow Wow Box and if Sally doesn’t like it, it won’t make the cut! She’s super excited about our special Christmas themed box being delivered in December. F PN

Became a walk-in client at the Ponsonby/Grey Lynn Citizens Advice Bureau at the Community Centre in Richmond Road: has some property boundary issues with the neighbour’s cats. Also, does the Consumer Guarantees Act cover the deterioration of the cat scratcher?

www.bowwowbox.co.nz

Decided to extend his gastronomic boundaries - Harvest Wholefoods and Raw Essentials on the itinerary. Found Good One, Douglas Street. Alas, no time for coffee and a Little and Friday doughnut. He was sodden but dumped unceremoniously into his carrier to accompany me to an appointment. Ate his biscuits with relish later. Window shopped at the Ponsonby Butchers - yummy looking veal. Next, catnip investigation at Lesley’s Ponsonby Plant Shop.

Followed a man down College Hill to shelter from the storm in Mozaik café, Victoria Park. Wonder if cafe visiting is somehow Bruce’s influence? Confession: I accidently catnapped Bruce. While shopping with a friend at Farro Fresh, spied ‘Chester’ by the outdoor tables, and put him in the car. Hissed - a new sound.

Once home, I looked up and saw a second Chester outside the window: phoned and apologised to Bruce’s owner who said her boy loves cafes, especially the pate at the Gypsy Tearoom. Both cats are black and white, have red collars and tags, sport white tuxedos and a Marilyn Monroe beauty spot. Bruce, is also ex SPCA and frequents cafes (a favoured companion of Martin Leach). Perhaps we should do DNA testing to see if they’re related?

Visits to Storm and Ruby designer clothing stores, and to Kokomo hairdressers on the road, all in the same afternoon - probably December party preparation. His friendliness makes him a welcome visitor, but I do want him home for Christmas!

PN (PAM TARULEVICZ) F

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PONSONBY PEOPLE + THEIR PETS ASK ALEX Each month Dr Alex Melrose answers readers’ pet related issues. Email yours to: alex@vetcare.net.nz I have a beautiful rabbit called Leo that my mum rescued and adopted into our family. She noticed he seemed to have a bit of trouble eating. He was getting through less food and making more of a mess and when we looked at his face could see that his front teeth seem way too long and have grown almost right up into his nose. We are really worried as he is such a cool rabbit. What can be done for Leo? Sam, Herne Bay.

Q:

This is a really common problem as rabbits age, the good news being we can help, we have the technology. Unfortunately once rabbits’ teeth start overgrowing and getting crooked they tend to keep getting longer and longer as they have open roots and keep growing for the life of the rabbit, totally unlike our own. This can be triggered by previous trauma to the facial area, dental infections or by changes in occlusion angle as the years roll by. Rabbits rely on food like hay and grass to gradually wear the teeth down so we will check his diet is optimal, but Leo will also need to be a regular visitor to VetCare to keep him in tip top condition.

A:

Leo will need to be booked into VetCare for surgery and once he is asleep we will also be able to see what kind of state his back teeth are in. They will probably also be very overgrown and crooked. We will use our special rabbit dental equipment (no kidding) to burr down his front teeth to a normal level and also take off any sharp spurs on his back molars so he can eat properly and comfortably again.

(DR ALEX MELROSE, BVSC, MRCVS) F PN photography: Martin Leach

VETCARE GREY LYNN & UNITEC, 408 Great North Road T: 09 361 3500 PN www.vetcare.net.nz F

Young Bruce, looking remarkably like Chester is a regular visitor to Mamata on Richmond Road.

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LOOK... WHO IS IN THE ZOO!

ON THE MENU THIS CHRISTMAS...

Let’s be honest, animals neither know nor care about Christmas but like us they do love and are highly motivated by food!

As well as ice-blocks, the zoo’s kea will be getting lots of well-wrapped boxes with tiny food treats inside.

Also up for bespoke iceblock treats, but on a slightly smaller scale, will be giraffes (carrot and celery), otters (meat and fish), seals and sea lions (herring, pilchers and squid) and kea (fruit, vegetables, seeds, and nuts).

Bird keeper Michelle Whybrow says sugar-free green and red food colouring will give the kea some fun Christmas-themed iceblocks that will also include fruits, nuts and seeds.

The world’s only alpine parrot, reputedly one of the world’s smartest birds, will also get lots of wrapped boxes within boxes with small food treats inside.

As homo sapiens, we’re pretty keen on sharing our goodwill and including our much-loved pets in festivities like this, which often means giving them a few extra treats - sometimes even wrapped.

The Nepalese red pandas will enjoy their favourite fruit - grapes, along with their green of choice - bamboo.

Porcupines, Onion (female) and Nyack (male), will have their usual fresh corn, kumara, browse (plants), and nuts and dried fruit hidden inside homemade crackers, but will also be getting watermelon iceblocks.

At Auckland Zoo there’s no over-indulging our animal family with crazy calorie-laden foods that will weigh them down and crash the scales.

However, our wonderful zookeepers who work Christmas Day (the only day we’re closed to public) and enjoy a shared festive lunch themselves, do go out of their way to ensure our animals are well catered for.

A carnivore’s Christmas

Elephant Burma (seen here with a mini ice-block) will enjoy a wheelie bin sized ice-block on Christmas Day, created by her keepers.

Sometimes, there’s serious prep work involved. Take the elephant team who are creating a jumbo sized iceblock for Burma using a large wheelie bin - currently icing up in a large walk-in freezer.

“It’s a bit like a trifle as we’re doing lots of layers of flavours and foods - different fruits and vegetables, nuts and raisins, jellies and even chocolate drink. It’s taking us a few weeks to make and it’ll take a good few hours for Burma to break down, so as well as being delicious, it’s a really good enrichment for her. She’ll love it,” says elephant keeper, Odin Neil.

The iceblock will be in addition to other browse (like bamboo and banana palm) fruit and vegetables Burma will get on the day.

“As well as working out in her pool, Burma will get to go on lots of walks through the zoo with us, so she’ll easily be working off any extra treats,” says Odin.

Like any other day, the finding of and getting to their food is made a physical and mental challenge for the animals.

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Venison is on the menu for the zoo’s tigers, Molek, Berani and Jalur, and horse meat for our pride of lions. Tasmanian devils will be enjoying chicken and possum meat. Our Asian small-clawed otters will have some blood meat iceblocks as well their standard selection of salmon, prawns, chicken, cat biscuits and mixed vegetables.

A palm oil-free Christmas Whatever’s on your menu this Christmas be sure to check out Auckland Zoo’s online Palm Oil-Free Shopping Guide to help you shop palm oil-free. The destruction of rainforest habitat to produce palm oil (now estimated to be in about 50% of supermarket products) is threatening the survival of hundreds of animal species - including the orangutan, Sumatran tiger, Asian rhino and Asian elephant.

Summer at the Zoo Visit us at www.aucklandzoo.co.nz and like us on Facebook to find out about activities happening at the zoo over summer. F PN PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PONSONBY PEOPLE + THEIR PETS

THIS SUMMER SUPPORT AUCKLAND’S ANIMALS IN STYLE! SPCA AUCKLAND HAS PUT TOGETHER A FRESH RANGE OF MERCHANDISE WITH THE HELP of designers Saben and Meadowlark and the generosity of artists such as renowned photographer Rachael Hale-McKenna and acclaimed musician Gray Bartlett MBE. Fashion house Saben and friends put their ‘paws’ together to create a limited edition print ‘MAC’ to adorn t-shirts, with all profits going to SPCA. The Saben ‘MAC’ artwork was inspired by Saben’s DROOL campaign images which featured Mac, a French bulldog sporting a Saben BFF Necklace.

Roanne Jacobson, Saben Director and animal lover, says, “We have furthered our DROOL campaign to help out other furry friends in New Zealand, by teaming up with our creative friends to bring limited edition ‘MAC’ t-shirts in support of SPCA”.

This year, there are also SPCA Christmas cards and diaries which include photography from renowned animal photographer Rachael Hale-McKenna, featuring actual SPCA rescue animals. Rachael, a celebrated photographer in New York and in New Zealand, donated days of her time to capture these special photographs.

Gray Bartlett, MBE, is an internationally recognised guitarist with considerable accolades to his credit. He’s a passionate SPCA supporter and has donated his time, talent and some special guitars to raise funds for the SPCA. To do more for the animals, he has embarked on a project involving fellow artists who also gave their time and talent to produce a polished and exclusive collection of recordings on CD - Gray Bartlett and Friends. All proceeds from the sales of SPCA merchandise go directly to helping animals in need - so you can help PN make sure Auckland’s animals have a great summer as well. F

SUMMER HOLIDAY PREPARATIONS FOR YOU AND YOUR PET I THINK ALL OF US ARE READY FOR SOME SUNNY DAYS, LEAVING THE RAIN AND STORMY winds behind us! Sunbathing in the backyard will put your cat in a good mood and it’s more pleasant to take the dog out for a stroll while wearing jandals than getting the gumboots out for a quick dash.

Many of us will be heading towards beaches and holiday homes, leaving our regulated lives behind for a while. These surroundings can be unfamiliar for your pets, so it might be worthwhile checking the security of the fence. Be aware of potential risks, like road accidents, poisoning, bones and possibly injuries caused by other animals. It’s helpful to know where the closest vet clinic is.

Some of you will prefer to leave your pets safely at home. I’m sure your caregiver will appreciate it if you write down your contact number, the contact details of your vet and a clear plan of how you expect them to act in case an emergency happens.

At the Animal Emergency Centre it is not uncommon for injured or sick pets to be brought in by a caregiver who is beside themselves with worry and having to make decisions for which they feel ill-equipped. It makes it so much easier when they are left with detailed instructions as to which veterinary clinic to use, and what treatments the owner is happy to fund. Some owners leave their credit card details, or their pet insurance documentation to make the caregiver’s job as easy as possible.

As a last suggestion; load the details of relevant daytime and emergency veterinary PN clinics into your phone today. Have a great, stress free summer holiday! F (DR. MARIEKE WIJNEN, CLINICAL MANAGER) ANIMAL EMERGENCY CENTRE, 97 Carrington Road, Mt Albert, T: 09 849 2121 www.animalemergency.co.nz

Order online www.shop.spca.org.nz or call SPCA T: 09 256 7307

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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:

My husband and I are in the process of purchasing a rental property. Some of the borrowing will be through my husband’s company and the lawyer acting for us says I need independent legal advice. Do I really need to get independent legal advice or is he just trying to charge me more money?

A:

Whether you require independent legal advice on a transaction like this will always depend on the particular circumstances and the documents provided by the bank. You will generally need independent legal advice when your interests are not the same as your husband’s.

There are a few things that stand out in your situation that make it tricky for a lawyer to ensure that they are protecting your best interests. If you are not a director or shareholder in your husband’s company you do not have a say in how the company is run. Likewise you do not have any rights in relation to the company, for example, getting information from the bank on whether the company is satisfying its obligations to the bank or being in a position to know whether the company is solvent.

It is often the case that the bank will want to link all the different parties to a transaction together. The bank will structure the deal so that you may be jointly and severally liable to the bank for the company’s borrowing or you may need to provide a guarantee for all obligations of the company to the bank. It will usually be possible for the company to take on further borrowing which would be secured against the property without you providing permission or without the bank notifying you.

At the end of the day if the company is ever not able to pay all amounts outstanding to the bank or if the company was poorly run and went into liquidation then you could be personally liable for all obligations that the company had to the bank. This may include company credit cards, any other lending that the company has done with that bank or any overdrawn accounts. This is regardless of whether you are aware of such lending.

Your lawyer when acting in a transaction such as this would be acting for you, your husband, the company and the bank. In this transaction you are in a more vulnerable position than the other parties because there are aspects of the lending that can be hidden from you, or you will be otherwise unaware.

A lawyer protecting your best interests needs to be in a position where they can explain this to you and, if they think it necessary, advise you that it is not in your best interests to sign the documents. If they say this then they would not be acting in the best interest of your husband or his company. This is why you need an independent lawyer to fully and frankly take you through the potential consequences of signing the documents so that you can make an informed decision while not failing in their duty to the other parties.

PN (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.

METROLAW, Level 2, 36 Williamson Avenue, T: 09 929 0800, www.metrolaw.co.nz

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS: LOGAN GRANGER

Preparing company financial statements and taxation returns for the 2015 tax year FROM 1 APRIL 2014 THE RULES FOR PREPARING company financial statements have changed. For most the new rules will be effective from the 2015 tax year.

The new law sets out new minimum requirements with which you must comply. The law was intended to reduce compliance costs and the work required, but in our view, for many the cost and work required may increase, as the minimum requirements set by the IRD mean more disclosures in the financial statements, not less.

All companies, except those expressly exempted, will be required to prepare special-purpose financial reports to the level specified. Very small companies with less than $30,000 per annum of income and expenses and nonactive companies are exempt. Many of these things are dealt with as part of your existing yearend financial statements and taxation work, but some formatting and reporting may change.

In addition to this there are other competing uses and users of your financial reports, such as banks, to support any current or future lending you may have.

Good financial reporting will also assist you if you need to value or sell your business in the future, as you will have a credible set of reports that can form the basis of a sale and or valuation.

• Requires Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Statement.

• Must be prepared using double-entry accrual accounting concepts.

• Disclosed values should generally be based on tax values.

• Descriptions of the policies used by the company.

• Comparative figures to last year are required.

• Interest and dividends received must have specific formats and disclosures.

A number of set disclosures are required to be maintained: • A reconciliation of fixed and depreciable assets - if a difference arises between a company’s accounting and tax profit, an explanation of the difference is required. Companies must prepare a detailed Fixed Asset Schedule.

• Must disclose certain types of transactions relating to forestry or livestock.

Some banks have not yet released their required standard, so think carefully about this before committing to any changes in your reporting.

• The financial statements must show individually as totals, items which must be declared in the tax return.

There is a tax return form that shows various income, expense, and balance sheet items from the financial statements. The financial statements and the tax return must marry up.

Under the new regulations some of the main minimum requirements for financial reports are as follows:

From 1 April 2015 you must disclosure certain ‘associated persons’ transactions.

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This requires company transactions with (but not limited to) individuals, trusts and non-resident companies to be disclosed if the transaction relates to: • Interest expense in regard to loans; • Amounts paid in regard to outbound loans or advances; expenses paid for services, including wages, salaries, management; • Expenses incurred in respect of rental or leases of land and other assets; • Expenses incurred in respect of intangible property including royalty payments.

You must also reconcile any movements in shareholder’ equity, and loans or other advances to (and from) the company’s shareholders or other owners and persons associated with the company.

A big difference is the need to include the tax reconciliation schedule, and the requirement to separate all associated person transactions and disclose these separately in the financial statements. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your financial reporting further, please do not hesitate to contact me or Hannah Rummer.

PN (LOGAN GRANGER) F Disclaimer - While all care has been taken, Johnston Associates Chartered Accountants Ltd and its staff accept no liability for the content of this article; always see your professional advisor before taking any action that you are unsure about .

JOHNSTON ASSOCIATES, 202 Ponsonby Road T: 09 361 6701 www.jacal.co.nz

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PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS SMART MONEY # 11 Jocelyn Weatherall

Phil Ashton

Richard Knight

will make a financial plan with you to put your financial house in order, keeping you motivated, informed and comfortable as we all work towards your goals.

Rutherford Rede is a team of independent fee only authorised financial advisers located in Freemans Bay; why is that important? We are proud of our independence, our community and the fact we have removed the confliction of commissions that can cloud an adviser’s judgement. All this adds up to peace of mind for our clients, that we are truly working in their best interest.

A very simple message this month from the team at Rutherford Rede; enjoy a very safe, happy and well-deserved holiday season with family and friends this December and make 2015 the best year possible.

As you consider your New Year’s resolutions this year give some thought to putting your financial house in order.

The problem with almost every resolution? We all break them! Whether it is getting back to the gym or sorting your finances it is easy to commit in January but hard to follow through for the rest of the year. Just as a good personal trainer in the gym designs for you a personalised exercise plan, making sure you stay motivated and concentrating on the best way to accomplish your goals, a good financial adviser

Make 2015 the year that you put your financial house in order and keep it that way.

And why not start early in December by having a free coffee with any of our team of authorised financial advisers at 52 College Hill, Freemans Bay. Rutherford Rede (AKLD) Limited, www.rutherfordrede.co.nz Phone 09 361 3670 Jocelyn jweatherall@rutherfordrede.co.nz Phil pashton@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 & free of charge

GREENSTAGE RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY SERVICES At Greenstage they offer a wide range of renewable electricity and energy efficient services but the service that will resonate most with Ponsonby News readers is their energy audit. Carrying out the audit is a way to help you save money on your power bills and to potentially generate your own power using photovoltaic panels.

Ponsonby local, John Gorman, is Greenstage’s renewable energy expert and he is keen to help businesses and home owners to reduce their power bills, and to do it in style.

and to choose the right ones for your specific needs. Greenstage can even help you implement the options if that’s what you want.

Using Greenstage’s PicoGrid energy audit process, John will start by collecting data about your building and looking at how your electricity is currently being used over a two week period. Based on this information, Greenstage are able to recommend some easy -to-take steps to save electricity and to potentially generate your own electricity using photovoltaic panels on your roof. All this information is packaged into a comprehensive report with simple-step options included. John will help you understand these options

For more information on their energy audit service, go to their website short cut http://bit.ly/picogrid-audit or you can check out their full range of commercial and PN industrial renewable energy services at www.picogrid.com F

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To get going now contact John, T: 0508 742 647 or email the team at sales@greenstage.co.nz

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HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS AUCKLAND HOUSING MARKET RAPIDLY RETURNING TO PRE-ELECTION LEVELS The Auckland residential housing market is rapidly returning to levels of activity experienced before September’s general election with new listings in October up by a third on those for the previous month, and listings at month-end being at their highest for three months.

“Sales numbers in October, at 939, were right in line with those for September, as was the average selling price at $736,238,” said Peter Thompson, Managing Director of Barfoot & Thompson.

“It always takes some months for the property market to regain lost momentum when interrupted by a lack of certainty.

“This trend shows up in our weekly sales figures. During the first week of October we sold 258 properties, and in the fourth it climbed to 283.

“In the first week of November we anticipated completing close to 300 sales and this, combined with the large number of new listings in October, indicated we would see a significant pick-up in sales numbers in November.

“At 1765, October’s new listings were the highest in a month for 12 months, and eased the shortage of properties for sale.

“At month-end we had 3267 properties on our books, the highest number since July.

“While the average selling price in October was within $2600 of that for the previous month, the median price increased by $20,000 to $655,000, the highest median price ever. From our experience the median price shows greater variation on a monthly basis that the average price.

“A significant contributor to the average sales price remaining at all-time highs is continuing interest in high-end valued properties, which were largely unaffected throughout the election period, and in October we sold 169 properties for in excess of $1 million. This represented 18% of all sales in the month.

“We also sold 238 properties for under $500,000, which is a quarter of all sales,” said PN Peter. F

STYLE AND COMFORT AT LOUNGE AROUND THE STUNNING EUROPEAN INSPIRED PREMIUM OUTDOOR WEATHERPROOF furniture provides superior quality, style and comfort while specifically being made to resist the harsh New Zealand UV and weather conditions. F PN LOUNGE AROUND LTD, 18 Barry’s Point Road, Takapuna, T: 09 984 8008 www.loungearound.co.nz

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HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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MY FAVOURITE ROOM

Kate McGahan KATE MCGAHAN IS COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST AT BURGERFUEL WORLDWIDE, WHO also describes herself as a “Google search addict, stroller of Ponsonby, sometimes yogi, 75 per cent health freak. Lover of travel, food, documentaries and adventures.” Kate lives with three other professional women in Ponsonby.

She told Ponsonby News, “I’ve lived in Ponsonby on and off for six years now, and I can’t imagine leaving any time soon. We call it the bubble and it’s hard to leave - it has everything you need in a neighbourhood.”

Kate’s favourite room is the kitchen. The flatmates use it for cooking, debriefing their days, hosting dinner parties, baking (often disastrous) ‘healthy treats’, drinking wine around the fireplace and solving the world’s problems. It’s reported there may have been a few kitchen bench dancing incidents too - the residents try to throw a couple of

dress up parties every year. It’s definitely the heart of their home and a great place for four very busy ladies to catch up.

“Food and entertaining are such important parts of my life,” says Kate, “I think I get that from my mum. Nothing makes me happier than filling this room with friends, wine, music and too much food. I’m a terrible over-caterer. We often talk about needing a bigger fridge.”

And Kate’s favourite things in the room? “It’s a small room so we keep it clutter free, but I love the old stove fireplace (perfect for marshmallow roasting in winter) and the view into Vermont Reserve with the palm trees in the background. Open up the big windows PN up on a summer’s day and it feels like you’re on holiday at a bach somewhere.” F

WHAT’S HOT AT SIMON JAMES CONCEPT STORE SIMON JAMES CONCEPT STORE PRESENTS THE CHRISTMAS EDIT FOR THE HOLIDAY gifting season. From classic best-selling brands Tom Dixon, Aesop and HAY, through to desirable new products from Minimalux, Merchant Archive and Menu you will easily find the perfect gift in-store, or online.

There is a selection of homeware, design, and beauty products to be found - including fragrances from Balmain and Van Cleef & Arpels, fashion from Penny Sage, and Karen Walker X Benah accessories. There is complimentary Christmas gift wrapping available throughout the holiday season, and the store will be open longer hours and for late

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nights in the lead up to Christmas. For those customers a little further away, or who are pressed for time, the online store provides next day local delivery and beautifully wrapped gifts for all online purchases. In-store they will be serving complimentary Kokako Cold Brew coffee for a refreshing pick-me-up during the busy season, and on late nights they will be offering Peroni beer.

SIMON JAMES CONCEPT STORE, 230 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 6955 or visit the online store at www.store.simonjamesdesign.com E: concept@simonjamesdesign.com

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HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

WHAT KIWIS WANT AND NEED IN A HOME Forget a spa pool, central heating and landscaped gardens like they push on The Block NZ. What Kiwis really want when they are renovating or choosing a new house is for it to be insulated.

According to the State of the Home survey, commissioned by HRV, insulation was rated “very important” by 84% of those surveyed when choosing a house. This was well ahead of a garage (47%), and around a quarter of people believed ventilation, a heat pump and double glazing were essential in a home.

PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFTS AT CORSO DE’ FIORI From Williamsburg, Brooklyn, SKT Ceramics create sturdy, rustic ware with a refined sensibility.

‘Brooklyn Bridge’ woodgrain slab dish, 9cm dia $36.90 (also available in 15 other charming original illustrations).

Flour sack tea towel $27.90.

When respondents were asked what the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority outlined as the key elements that go into creating a warm, dry and healthy home, 92% said insulation, 69% ventilation and 59% heating.

In contrast, central heating and a landscaped garden were a lowly 12% and 8% respectively (although just over half said they would be “nice to have”). A spa pool was rated very important by just 2% of respondents, but a quarter also said a hot tub would be “nice to have” in the backyard or on the deck.

According to the survey, the priorities people have when they are renovating their house are similar to when choosing a home to live in. However, a higher number of people consider ventilation, double glazing and a heat pump a more important priority when they are doing up their homes.

The drive behind the State of the Home survey was to shed light on the poor state of New Zealand’s housing stock and increase awareness around creating healthy homes.

It also provided some interesting insights into New Zealanders’ attitudes when it comes to their home.

Available at CORSO DE’ FIORI, 8 George Street, Newmarket, T: 09 307 9166 www.corso.co.nz

Other key findings included: • Mould is prevalent in 59% of homes and condensation in 31% • One in five Kiwis have moved out of a house because it was cold, damp or mouldy • 63% would be happy to have their home undergo a housing Warrant of Fitness • 61% will put another blanket on the bed if they are cold rather than turn on a heating source • The financial costs of living in a mouldy, damp home are significant. Renters and those who have a mortgage are significantly more likely to suffer damage to carpet, walls, furnishings, clothes and shoes than those who are mortgage free.

HRV chief executive Bruce Gordon says when it comes to home priorities it’s great to know many Kiwis are conscious of ensuring their homes are dry and healthy.

“But more work needs to be done to make all of New Zealand’s housing stock safe and healthy. Insulation, and government schemes like Warm Up: Healthy Homes have been a good step but more is needed and a combination of insulation, ventilation and a good source of heating and cooling is the key to creating a healthy home. “Sadly, many New Zealand homes don’t have these things and are in a poor, and often mouldy, damp and dangerous state, which impacts on the health and well-being of the PN occupants, especially children.” F

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

ASK AN ARCHITECT: DANIEL MARSHALL Each month architect Daniel Marshall answers readers’ property related questions.

Q: A:

I live in Grey Lynn and while I support the idea of more apartments along Great North Road, I worry that the architects will mess it up again. Can you reassure me?

While I agree that attempts at densification in Auckland’s recent history have been less than successful, I am optimistic that we are moving in the right direction. How quickly we get there is the responsibility of everyone in the community, but architects and developers should be leading.

On a recent visit to Copenhagen, I had the privilege of visiting some apartment projects by the architectural practice of Bjarke Ingels Group. Using creative arrangement of forms, and embracing the importance of community, they created a completely new archetype of apartment living. This took courage from the developer, the architect, the community and the residents but the result has been spectacular.

So, the short answer to your question is, no it won’t be as bad as the projects that have blighted the city before. But if we all work really hard, and change our ideas of what an apartment should look like, the opportunity to develop Great North Road into a grand avenue that we could all be proud of will not be squandered. (DANIEL MARSHALL) F PN

I actually think it would be great if the names of the directors of development companies, and the names of the architects had to be displayed on a bronze plaque on the front of every urban building. Name and shame, or name and celebrate. The choice is theirs!

www.marshall-architect.co.nz

If we want to achieve a world-class standard of urban living, it will involve a shift from all those involved in the process. We can’t keep designing apartments as suburban houses, complete with internal access, two-car garages, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, all crammed into a shoebox. The perception of what is important has to change and that can create the opportunities for better design. The great things about high density living, such as the ability to create a community and share resources, are often neglected in the desire to maintain the status quo, and the apartment dwellers and the wider community are often left poorer as a result.

Street study, Macdougal Street, Soho New York

DON’T MISS THE FEBRUARY

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NEWS+ DEADLINE

COPY DEADLINE: Tuesday, 20 January PUBLISHED: Friday, 6 February

FEBRUARY SPECIAL FEATURES + JERVOIS ROAD + MAINTAINING GOOD HEALTH + VALENTINE’S DAY (14 FEBRUARY) + PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT

TO BOOK ADVERTISING: ask about our premium positions!

Jo Barrett on 021 324 510 or Jessie Kollen on 021 166 2002 t: 09 361 3356 or 09 378 8553 e: joannebarrett@xtra.co.nz e: jessiekollen@gmail.com w: www.ponsonbynews.co.nz

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HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

COAST ON PONSONBY ROAD COAST New Zealand recently opened the doors of its new showroom in the old Masterworks Gallery space.

“It is a great location,” says owner Nicola Webster, “and we’re excited to be here. Not only is it a wonderful character building - perfect for COAST - but there is so much happening in the area.

“In addition to the showroom itself, we have a wonderful garden at the back in which Outdure have installed a deck, making the perfect spot to showcase our outdoor beanbags, as well as being a place to relax and enjoy a drink in the sun - which is precisely what they are designed for!”

“We also have parking at the rear, which is a real godsend at this time of year, particularly when you sell oversized luxury beanbags!”

COAST’s rapidly growing collection includes new picnic bags, linen and cotton beach towels, outdoor throw cushions, weekender bags and their award -winning outdoor beanbags, which can now be found in homes, cottages, hotels and yachts all over the world. The COAST showroom is open seven days PN from 10am. F COAST: 77 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 354 4552 www.coastnewzealand.com

THE BEACH OUTDOOR LIVING ACCESSORIES The new summer range of indoor and outdoor cushions have arrived. See in store at any of their three locations...

THE BEACH LIFESTYLE FURNITURE Newmarket Store - 372-376 Broadway, T: 09 522 0030 North Shore Store - Unit 20, 18 Link Drive Wairau Park, T: 09 443 7788 Constellation Drive Store - 31 Constellation Drive, Mairangi Bay, T: 09 479 9577 www.thebeachfurniture.co.nz

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THE BOYS’ BOOK CLUB WHAT WE’RE READING Here are some books us blokes on the Ponsonby News team have recently enjoyed. We love reading in the bath or in bed. A real stress buster!

MARTIN LEACH

The Dwarf Who Moved

By Peter Williams QC (Harper Collins) Peter Williams QC is a long-term Ponsonby resident. The Dwarf Who Moved is a memoir in anecdotal form

by New Zealand’s pre-eminent criminal barrister.

In his time as a criminal defence lawyer in the New Zealand courts, Peter Williams QC has seen it all. From the days when abortion, homosexuality and even telling fortunes could see a person hauled before the courts, to sensational cases of wrongful imprisonment and police corruption, he has witnessed the defining moments in the evolution of our modern judicial and penal systems.

In this rich and wise collection of memoir, anecdote and forensic analysis a preeminent courtroom advocate recalls the people (including Ronald Jorgensen, Arthur Allen Thomas, Mr Asia, James K Baxter, Winston Peters and many more) and the cases, both celebrated and obscure, that have defined his remarkable career, and illuminates the ways in which a legal system mirrors its society, for good and bad.

Fearless, astute and compassionate, Peter Williams proves - beyond reasonable doubt - that truth is nearly always stranger than fiction.

Made Queen’s Counsel in 1987, he was for a long time the public face of the Howard League for penal reform. Peter Williams continues to practise part time from his home in Ponsonby.

The Unbakery

By Megan May (Beatnik Publishing) Since The Unbakery opened cafes in both Kingsland and Ponsonby, I have been a big fan. Over the festive season I intend to experiment with some of the 130 recipes in Megan May’s first book. The Unbakeries are the award-winning cafes run by Little Bird Organics. They make incredible raw and organic plant-based cuisine. They specialise in taking top quality fresh, organic, local produce and crafting it into some of the best tasting food you could ever eat. All their dishes are also made without gluten, dairy or cane sugar.

LOCK-UP-AND-LEAVE 59D ARGYLE STREET, HERNE BAY If you are looking for a private and well positioned city home, we invite you to consider this brick three bedroom, freestanding town house designed by Richard Priest.

This tidy home offers an ideal response to busy lifestyles with a tranquil setting and a handy location close to the marina, Harbour Bridge and motorway access, the local school and parks.

Your precious time can be enjoyed all seasons round. Open up the doors to the sheltered garden of the easy-care section, or when family and friends visit you can gather around the centrally placed kitchen and sunny living room. Upstairs the main bedroom (with ensuite) is a generous size and opens out to a private balcony - a sunny place to enjoy a leafy outlook. On this level there are two further bedrooms and family bathroom. Off the entrance hall there is a laundry with guest toilet. Add to this, practicalities such as storage and a double garage with internal access.

The enduring brick construction gives confidence to the integrity of the structure. On the desired northern slopes of Herne Bay, you’re a stroll away from cafes, shops and the beach. This is a great place for busy people, so whether you’re looking for a lock-up -and-leave or a handy family home, this is the one - for sale by negotiation.

Andrea Ritchie, M: 021 906 793, andrea.ritchie@bayleys.co.nz or Luke McCaw, M: 021 950 145, luke.mccaw@bayleys.co.nz BAYLEYS PONSONBY, 305 Ponsonby Road www.bayleys.co.nz

While the recipes in the book are 100% raw and plant-based, the book is not designed only for those on a purely, or even predominantly, raw diet. The recipes have been created to inspire everyone - few people would argue that eating more fresh fruits and veggies is a bad thing and turning these into amazing food is what they do best at the Unbakery.

Use these recipes as inspiration to get creative with raw, organic cuisine and help you add more goodness into your diet. Life is too short to eat rubbish food! Learn to create delicious plant-based meals so you can eat the best tasting food that is also incredible for your health.

JAY PLATT

Havana Storm

By Clive Cussler & Dirk Cussler (Putnam) While investigating a toxic outbreak in the Caribbean Sea that could ultimately threaten the United States, Pitt unwittingly becomes involved in something even more dangerous - a post Castro power struggle for the control of Cuba. Meanwhile, Pitt’s children, marine engineer Dirk and oceanographer Summer, are on an investigation of their own, chasing an Aztec stone that may reveal the whereabouts of a vast historical Aztec treasure. The problem is that the stone was supposed to have been destroyed on the battleship Maine in Havana Harbour in 1898 - which brings them both to Cuba as well and squarely into harm’s way. The three have all been in desperate situations before, but perhaps never quite as dire as the one they now face.

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HOW DOES TRADE AID ACTUALLY WORK? ‘Made to feel good: buying our products changes the world for good.’

At Trade Aid they ensure the artisans who make the craft supplied to the store benefit most from the sale and they develop long-term relationships to offer fair terms and prices.

Trade Aid have created transparent and equitable decision making processes ensuring the protection of the rights of women and children, the health and safety of workers, preservation and promotion of traditional arts and crafts and the promotion of fair trade through education and advocacy. They trade with family groups and democratically run co-ops that bring significant benefits to the workers communities, such as access to credit, cheaper raw materials, the provision of health clinics, childcare and business development skills.

“Thank you to all our customers who believe in fair trade and have supported our store in Ponsonby over the last 11 years,” says Trade Aid store manager Bev Cormack. If you have not been in to our store, this is a lovely time of year to support our artisans by buying their craft to give for Christmas.”

Trade Aid Ponsonby staff and volunteers, Bev, Marleni, Pauline, Angel, Elizabeth, Harriet PN and Olivia wish you all a wonderful holiday season. F PONSONBY TRADE AID TRUST, 172 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 4471 www.tradeaid.org.nz

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REAL ESTATE UPDATE: KAREN SPIRES

New valuations just a ‘footpath appraisal’ Water cooler conversation has been dominated by property since Auckland Council released its latest capital valuations.

When property owners could finally access the overloaded website, it came as no surprise that valuations had risen considerably since 2011 when the last assessments were carried out.

They are a reflection of Auckland’s heated property market and what the council believes was the most likely selling price had the property been sold on 1 July when the appraisals were made.

According to the new figures, Ponsonby valuations have risen by 36% on average since 2011, compared to an average of 29% for wider Auckland. While this does mean we are in for a rates hike next year, it is not all doom and gloom.

NORDIC DESIGN PERFECT FOR THE NEW ZEALAND SUMMER

If you have been waiting for the right time to get started on renovations, extensions or a new investment then you could take this as a vote of confidence. However it does not necessarily mean banks will be handing out loans on a platter. In addition to increased equity, there is still the need to show you are able to repay any increase in lending.

Renowned design duo Johannes Foersom and Peter Hiort-Lorenzen were commissioned by Cane-Line to develop a harmonious design for outdoor use with a high level of comfort.

It is also important to remember that your CV is not a direct reflection of the market value of your property. Auckland Council undertook valuations on 520,000 properties over the course of 12 months and so it is fair to suggest that this type of mass appraisal incurs a slight levelling effect.

This emphasis on both form and function was the basis for the award winning Conic collection. A highly appealing Scandinavian design paired with a handcrafted aluminium frame, coated polyester sling fabric featuring QuickDryFoam makes the Conic virtally maintainence free.

In my experience, most prospective buyers tend to focus their attention on more up to date market data and recent sales in the area rather than basing their offer around capital valuations.

Featuring both modular and stand alone components the Conic Outdoor Collection allows individual freedom to create your own outdoor living environment. Johannes and Peter have this year developed a sympathetic collection of outdoor dining furniture for Cane -Line to give you even more solutions. See the entire collection including lounge chairs, sofas, sun loungers, dining chairs and tables at DAWSON’S FURNITURE, 1/1 Holder PN Place, Rosedale, T: 09 476 1121, www.dawsonsfurniture.co.nz F

For this reason it is unlikely that the new figures will have any significant impact on the market. As we have all learnt, and is especially relevant in today’s climate, the value of your property is what someone is willing to pay for it.

Capital valuations also disregard what can be defining features of your property. It is more of a footpath appraisal and does not account for any chattels, landscaping or the condition of the home.

While many of us in Ponsonby may find what is expected to be a 1.8% rates increase a hard pill to swallow, it is an indication of the growing squeeze on property in Auckland, especially in sought after inner-city suburbs like ours.

We will wait with baited breath to see whether our rates money will go towards maintaining and improving our neighbourhood as we should expect, but this should not change the fact that we are lucky enough to be living in what the recent valuations attest is one of PN the most attractive suburbs in the country. (KAREN SPIRES) F Karen Spires is a Bayleys Real Estate ‘Top Achiever’ - placing her sales data among the top 5% of salespeople within the company.

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‘EASY DAYS’ LEISURE Looking to have fun and valued leisure time with family and friends through the summer?

The ‘easy days’ range comprises gifts and activities for fun and relaxation, including rocking and rope hammocks; sun umbrellas with strong aluminium frames in all sizes; traditional family games; picnic gear; LED outdoor lighting and furniture and more.

The quality of the ‘easy days’ range is superb and equipment is also available for hire for parties and events.

Ask for ‘easy days’ in better gift, garden and outdoor stores or order online and have your summer fun delivered tomorrow. F PN EASY DAYS, T: 09 377 9797, www.easydays.co.nz

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HERNE BAY BATHROOM Designed by Siobhan McDermond. BDes. Spatial Design (Hons) Heritage Tiles, Parnell Last month John Kaminski From Heritage Tiles, Parnell talked about some of the new trends that he saw at the Cersaie Tile Fair, such as large format, and new innovations in printing which give us incredibly realistic looking natural surfaces.

Cementia Grey - Heritage Tiles

This month I’m going to show you a beautiful bathroom, which takes these trends and makes them work in a Kiwi home.

Mirror and shower glass Stewart Shirkie - 360glass.co.nz

The client came into the showroom to research ideas and fell in love with the Cementia Grey tile. However the challenge was making the contemporary looking tile work in the Kiwi villa. Pairing it with the white square mosaic helped it feel more grounded, and linked through to the use of white in other parts of the house, which with spectacular views of the water and a beautiful palm garden, has a very beach like feel.

This was a challenging space, only 2.4m square and not well lit, it also needed maximum functionality. So we used a few optical tricks to make the space seem bigger; the large format tile, tiling the wall and floors in the same tile and tiling right to the ceiling. Another trick was using the white square mosaic on the back wall, pushing the wall away from the eye. Add in the wall to wall mirror and long vanity cabinet and you have a room that PN looks much larger than it really is. F Vitra 50x50 mosaic - Heritage Tiles

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HERITAGE TILES, 3/114 St Georges Bay Road T: 09 270 8796, www.tiles.co.nz

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WHY GOOD PROPERTY MANAGEMENT IS ESSENTIAL Catherine Goodwin General Manager of Goodwin Property Management says, “Most tenants (more than 97% in our experience) will pay their rent the week it is due. They look after the property they rent and are respectful of their tenancy obligations.”

With Christmas looming however, landlords need to be particularly vigilant. A tenant failing to pay rent on time is the most common problem that landlords have to face and it is one of the main risks to their profitability. If a rent payment is missed then a landlord should take immediate action, but avoid an aggressive, demanding response. Make polite enquiries of your tenant(s) to see if they are aware of the situation - there could be a perfectly acceptable reason why the payment was missed.

At Goodwin Property Management, this telephone call is made, and or an SMS is sent on the first day of non-payment. If full payment is not remedied by - day three, a formal breach notice is served. On day seven, our application will be filed to the Tenancy Tribunal. Owners who give ‘chances’ will notoriously find themselves in serious trouble fairly quickly!

Awarded New Zealand’s National Winner - Agency of the Year 2014 by LPMNZ, the team at Goodwin would welcome the opportunity to assist Ponsonby News readers.

“We wish all our clients and Ponsonby News readers a safe and blessed Christmas and a prosperous 2015.”

REMEMBER: A landlord is legally required to appoint a New Zealand-based agent if you are going to be absent from New Zealand for more than 21 consecutive days at any PN time of year. F GOODWIN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, Catherine Goodwin LLB AREINZ, General Manager, M: 021 437 710 or T: 09 815 2871 catherine.goodwin@goodwinrealty.co.nz www.gooodwinrealty.co.nz

ADDING THE ‘WOW’ FACTOR The Anna D is light, comfortable and a funky option to add colour to any room. F PN FORMA, 51-53 The Strand, Parnell, T: 09 368 7694 www.forma.co.nz www.facebook.co/formafurniturenz

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MILLY NOLAN: DESIGNER GIFTS

Summer entertaining The sun is shining, the birds are tweeting and the evenings are balmy. Summer is here and with it comes the desire to entertain the best way Kiwis know how - by having a barbecue. Here are some summer essentials which will see you through the season of alfresco dining, in style.

Big Green Egg, $850 Acting as a smoker, a grill, an oven and a pizza oven all in one, there is not much this ceramic cooker can’t do.

Citta Acacia Round Chopping Board, $35 Perfect for serving antipasti to your guests, this acacia wood chopping board will be the most used item in your kitchen all summer.

Normann Copenhagen Herb Stand, $120 Complete with scissors and pouring saucers for watering, this clever herb stand will keep your herbs tidy and on hand for quick seasoning.

Avanti BBQ Pizza Stone, $60 Bake crispy pizzas or crusty bread all summer long with this handy ceramic barbeque pizza stone. Your neighbours will soon come knocking.

Robert Gordon Provincial Bakeware Serving Bowl, $75 This versatile ceramic bowl with handles, is available in three sizes and can be used straight from the oven to the table or for servings salads.

General Eclectic Origami Salt & Pepper Shakers, $28 These origami inspired salt and pepper shakers add a modern twist to what can be a banal activity.

Menu Water Carafe, $110 Inspired by the natural shape that water forms when poured into a bag, this carafe is light in weight and ever so charming with its cork lid.

Wood-Fired Pizza Oven, $35 This book will take you through the steps of building and maintaining an outdoor pizza oven, as well as sharing 40 pizza recipes by Italian chef John Pellicano.

(MILLY NOLAN) F PN All products available from www.mildredandco.com

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BIRD OF THE MONTH I decided to finish 2014 with one of the birds I’ve had an interesting relationship with over the years.

THE BENEFITS OF APARTMENT LIVING

The kingfisher (kotare) is an unassuming, small, and yet often frustrating species. It perhaps sums up my summers as a child best - I would take off with our brand new camera and attempt to capture the kingfisher through my lens.

As New Zealanders we have been brought up with the ‘free standing home on quarter acre section’ mentality.

This proved fruitless and a failure. Each image would perfectly capture power lines, power poles, roofs and tall trees, and nestled in the top of these shots would be this tiny little speck with a beak - my kingfisher.

It proved to be a source of great amusement for my family, and it would take me most of the summer to give up with the current camera and await the arrival of one with a zoom lens - many years later (and in fairness I never did get much better at photography).

I didn’t realise they were called the sacred kingfisher, and they are found across the Western Pacific, Australia and here in New Zealand. They are a woodland species found in mangroves, forests and river valleys.

They are known for diving down to feed on small skinks and reptiles and then perching with their prey dangling from their beak. Equally of course they are the silhouette waiting on the power line or other elevated perch. They are found widely across New Zealand, and have survived the introduction of predators better than many other species.

Kingfisher are mostly turquoise, with white underparts and collar feathers. They are small, as I discovered, and nest in a small burrow in a river bank. This is built by flying repetitively at the intended site and then using their bills to chisel out the loosened dirt.

These burrows are used year after year, often by the same birds, and likely by offspring or related individuals in later years.

However, in more recent times this has become less of a reality for many, in particular first home buyers looking to buy in central Auckland.

As an apartment specialist, Jeanne Clayton says, “It was interesting to note Prime Minister John Key’s recent words to first home buyers to consider buying an apartment.

Whether you agree personally with his politics or not, he is business savvy.”

The secondary sales apartment market has been enjoying a resurgence over the past few years and there are plenty of cranes on the skyline to demonstrate new confidence in the primary sales market.

Aucklanders are recognising the benefits of apartment living; location, low maintenance and the freedom to come and go as you please without compromising lifestyle.

“In my experience there is more competitive buying and capital gain occurring for sellers”, says Jeanne, “and buyers are happy to see some real choice on the market both of investment properties and owner-occupier homes. Some sales don’t even hit the public market because I already have the perfect buyer/seller match. It can be that easy.”

If you would like advice on the apartment sector of the market, require an appraisal or want to take advantage of joining the buyer database then give Jeanne a call, on M: 0272 888 097. Alternatively email Jeanne.clayton@raywhite.com or check out her website www.jeanneclayton.raywhite.co.nz “It really is that simple,” says Jeanne, “happy holidays to you all - have a great one.” F PN

Adults can be extremely aggressive around nesting sites and often dive bomb other birds, or people with very loud repetitive staccato calls to notify partners and other pairs within the territory.

They are rarely seen in large groups; mostly as solitary or in pairs, and seldom land on the ground, always preferring to have a high vantage point - better to see prey. They are found near the coast, and breed inland, but never very far away from wetlands, rivers or other water bodies.

Have a lovely summer and keep an eye out for all the native species in your holiday spots. Get out to the Waitakeres for some walks, or up to Wenderholm, and I definitely recommend a day trip to Tiritiri Matangi while the summer weather treats us.

PN (FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT) F

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FREE YOUR MUSIC “Here at The Audio Consultant we love music,” says manager John Moher,” in fact it’s why we are here!

What’s more we only promote the best products, because we care about music and we are passionate about our customers’ enjoying it as much as we do! That’s why we are really excited to present the new Bluesound Players in our product line-up - it’s really an evolutionary step in music streaming that will set your music free,” says John.

“Imagine a group of passionate music lovers who also happen to have the technical skills to design audio equipment, who have been involved in the audio industry for decades, and who came together with a vision for an innovative, and more importantly, a high quality way to share and listen to music throughout your home - freeing your music, allowing your favourite music to be anywhere in your home in high resolution.

This is Bluesound.”

The Bluesound Vault will automatically rip your CD collection, store all your music on its internal hard drive, access music stored elsewhere such as a computer or networked drive, while also being able to stream internet radio and services like Spotify. Bluesound can output your music to any audio system, all remotely controlled from your iOS or Android device, PC or Mac. Bluesound can also stream your music over a network to other Bluesound players elsewhere in your home. Bluesound can do all of this in high resolution - much higher quality than other music streaming systems.

“It’s really as good as it sounds”, continues John. “The components of the Bluesound eco-system come together beautifully - there is sublime synergy between all of them, you can use your wi-fi to stream music across your home, or even out to the deck or patio for example via Bluesound’s Pulse, a portable player.” Bluesound’s eco-system includes players that let you stream to other rooms and audio systems you may already

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have. The Power Node includes an amplifier that can directly power quality high fidelity speakers such as the Bluesound Duo which has been tuned specifically for Bluesound’s Power Node.

“Many people have been put off by existing music streaming solutions, or have been happy to just use iTunes,” John remarks, “but now there really is a simple, stable, high quality solution that’s, well, just really cool. And there is more coming!” If you held back on music streaming because it seemed complicated, or the systems weren’t up to scratch or you just wanted the ability to do high-resolution files, wait no longer - Bluesound is here, and it’s at The Audio Consultant in Ponsonby. F PN THE AUDIO CONSULTANT, 23 Williamson Avenue, T: 09 376 6176 www.theaudioconsultant.co.nz

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HEIDI PADAIN: ENTERTAINMENT IN YOUR GARDEN There’s a season for everything in our beautiful pohutukawa tree. Over the past two or three months tuis have succeeded in destroying any and all attempts made by the blackbirds to nest here.

This isn’t unusual behaviour but what has surprised me is that none of the tuis chose to nest in the pohutukawa tree themselves. The tuis also fought long and hard with one another, and now the number of tuis visiting has diminished to just one rival pair. I haven’t as yet figured out where on our property they are nesting.

The female tui builds the nest and does all the work initially, and the male tui will help feed the young once they have left the nest. This would explain why we have a rather large male tui lounging around on our deck. We have named him King Tui. He is without doubt spectacularly beautiful.

Before nightfall I bring in the leftover fruit that I have put out for the birds earlier in the day. This is to discourage bird predators from getting too familiar with our relatively peaceful environment. On one such occasion I was greeted, or more to the point challenged, by King Tui himself. King Tui, having established reign over the pohutukawa tree and a few other surrounding trees, now felt the need to lay claim to our deck. Having observed tui behaviour for quite some time I was very familiar with their aggressive posturing. King Tui sat on the deck rail, wings almost splayed, looking larger than life, and glaring at me in a very hostile manner. I was somewhat taken aback, this wasn’t the kind of interaction I was used to having with my feathered friends.

Later that evening I mentioned this challenging behaviour to my husband, Martin, who then reminded me that for the past few years we have had tuis in the area appear to mimic a kingfisher, and on another occasion a car alarm. “If King Tui wishes to interact with you, do you think perhaps you can have input on the sound effects for this coming

year?” Good point Martin. It was decided. The aggression would somehow be turned into a positive.

The puffing up and glaring progressed to swooping with intent. King Tui would arrive at speed without warning, often skimming the top of my head. So, I took my own position in this war dance. Each time I went onto the deck, and King Tui puffed up and glared at me, I would simply whistle the song Stormy Weather to him. King Tui’s reaction to this was priceless. He appeared startled at first and then slightly transfixed. Over time he became quite at ease with this routine, and in between gorging on oranges he would burst into his own sweet song. I managed to capture his comical food and a show arrangement on video, so if you get a chance, do have a look at it, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp tuKT2GJ2w&feature=youtu.be.

King Tui no longer challenges me on our deck, but he does still enjoy arriving at the speed of light. It’s a bit of sport for tuis I’m sure. Hopefully his royal highness will see fit to introduce his young to us over the holiday season so we can get a little choir arrangement together, but that might be expecting a little too much.

If you’re in the Piha area over the Christmas holidays don’t be at all surprised if you come across a tui whistling the tune to Stormy Weather. (HEIDI PADAIN) F PN To see more of Heidi’s photographic work go to www.flickr.com and type Heidi Padain into the search box.

ARE YOU SELLING YOUR BIGGEST ASSET? ‘you can’t sell a secret... good property marketing makes a difference every time’ Rates start at $235 + GST www.ponsonbynews.co.nz

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WHAT’S IN A FLOWER? Fabric and interiors expert Rebecca Bowering shares her passion for design and textiles in a regular column.

When you love beautiful things, it’s likely that you don’t restrict yourself to loving just one particular style; you probably covet many things.

Lovers of orchids will enjoy the timeless elegance and graceful textiles from Jane Churchill’s latest collection.

Gorgeous peonies sit well with exquisite embroideries from Colefax and Fowler.

I believe it’s important to truly discover what you personally love, before you embark on any decorating project. This way, whether you’re ‘doing it yourself’ or working with a design consultant, you will enjoy a positive and rewarding result.

Read magazines and books and mark the pages, sit and daydream and analyse what truly inspires you.

When you work with a designer, it’s important to give them a wish list: to consider what you would like if money was no object. Then, give them the practical information: budget, required durabilities, lifestyle choices, factoring in the age of any children and whether you have pets. Consider whether you and your partner want the same look or whether a compromise may be required. Next, your designer will help you define a timeline.

This may incorporate a plan over many years, but one that will mean you can work within your own means and budget, keeping your goals top of mind.

BE PART OF GREENING OUR CITY THE HEALTHY WAY The Edible Islands by Eliza Donald Design of Freemans Bay are an apartment dwellers dream.

After spending eight years in Spain and several years in Melbourne, Eliza has returned home bringing her Edible Island designer planters with her at the time when apartment buildings are growing by the day in Auckland. The idea of the planters came from Eliza’s roof top garden in Spain.

Made here in New Zealand, the planters are perfect for creating and managing a vegetable, flower or plant gardens in very small spaces. Easily fitted into a lift and compact enough for the balcony, deck, barbecue area, roof gardens, patios, or restaurant courtyards, they are perfect for growing herbs and micro greens.

But more than that, these exquisite planters make for a useful and artistic piece for all outdoor settings.

The Edible Island designer planters are a mobile garden for all city dwellers, so if you live in a villa the Edible Island also fits well in larger outdoor entertaining areas.

For more formal garden settings you may prefer to fill your planter with flowers, a bay tree or a citrus tree, it’s your choice.

Made from recyclable, non toxic polyethylene, they are both practical and robust. Wheels are available to be fitted for easy mobility and manoeuvrability. The planters come in a wide range of colours and make for an ideal present for Christmas. F PN EDIBLE ISLANDS, M: 021 661 062 or M: 021 758 606, info@edibleislands.com.au www.EdibleIslands.com.au

Sometimes when we have clients visit the showroom, they admire and appreciate almost everything - and with over 30,000 fabrics, wallpapers, trimmings and accessories, things start to become a blur.

So I will often ask: what flowers do you like? This may sound like a strange question, but it gives us an insight into which decorating style you’re naturally drawn to.

Generally the flowers you love will mirror the style you love.

Do you gravitate to long stemmed white roses, moth orchids and gardenias? If so, it’s likely you would enjoy living in a modern, classical environment that incorporates elegant furniture and graceful textiles in neutral colours.

Do you fill your home with big bunches of gorgeous scented lilies? If the answer is yes, then I would imagine you like a casual, but charming, style of decor; lots of linen curtains, loose covers, perhaps with a French feel in simple colours.

Do you love coloured gerberas, dahlias and brightly coloured roses and lilies? In this case, I would imagine you’re creative and fun and not afraid of colour and pattern.

A love of pretty toile de jouy and small softly coloured floral prints would indicate that you like pretty posies - all in the same colour palette, or bunched together as one would from a lovely cottage garden.

Black lilies, long red stemmed roses, or the architectural shapes of some of the tropical flowers would suggest a strong, almost masculine environment, where structure and form is important. This is the time to let your imagination run riot. Listen to your heart and soul (and not the opinion of all and sundry). Your home should be a reflection of you and your family, and it should bring you joy each and every day.

Atelier Textiles owner and managing director Rebecca Bowering explores the latest textile trends and new interior design ideas every month. For more information visit: www.atelier.co.nz F PN

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EVERYTHING NEEDED TO CREATE STUNNING OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES The Alfresco brand of furniture is designed and made in New Zealand exclusively for their store and is accentuated by gorgeous homewares and accessories to complement any setting.

“We fly the New Zealand flag wherever possible,” says Carol Mortimer. “We have launched wonderful products designed by talented New Zealanders, which enhance our concept of enjoying the experiences of dining, gathering with family and friends, or simply sharing a drink together.”

The Alfresco brand remains focused on the outdoor arena whilst retaining the indoor - outdoor flow that is so relevant to the modern New Zealand lifestyle. In true bespoke fashion they can custom make to order and make to measure. Their 2014/15 summer story revolves around the use of new and exciting materials taking their concrete tabletops to a new dimension.

They celebrate summer with a strong focus on colour; cobalt blue on white, clear aqua, sea green and azure. Mix this with sunny yellow and vibrant vivid colours to accent the sleekness of classic black and white.

When you visit they will welcome you into their light-filled showroom. As soon as you walk through the door you will be inspired by their contemporary upper level following through to the outdoor garden area.

Connect with them on Facebook to discover their exciting new products and styling ideas.

ALFRESCO INEXTERIOR LIVING, 223 Parnell Road, T: 09 309 3643 www.alfrescohomeandgarden.co.nz

DON’T MISS THE FEBRUARY

PONSONBY

NEWS+ DEADLINE

COPY DEADLINE: Tuesday, 20 January PUBLISHED: Friday, 6 February

FEBRUARY SPECIAL FEATURES + JERVOIS ROAD + MAINTAINING GOOD HEALTH + VALENTINE’S DAY (14 FEBRUARY) + PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT

TO BOOK ADVERTISING: ask about our premium positions!

Jo Barrett on 021 324 510 or Jessie Kollen on 021 166 2002 t: 09 361 3356 or 09 378 8553 e: joannebarrett@xtra.co.nz e: jessiekollen@gmail.com w: www.ponsonbynews.co.nz

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CHINESE STYLE A RICH HERITAGE A RECENTLY COMPLETED CHALLENGING RENOVATION ON AN EARLY 1900’S FREEMANS Bay cottage has led John Hatchman and Nathan Zhang in pursuit of a new ‘challenge’ using John’s creative skills and Nathan’s understanding of the Chinese culture.

“We have both admired the old handcrafted Chinese furniture,” says John, “in particular the cabinets for their uniqueness and style. The variation in design and size ensures a striking appearance and excellent functionality in any situation.”

On a recent trip to China they visited regions recognised as a good source for the type of traditional furniture they were seeking. Finding a supplier who was able to provide for the bulk of their needs, they selected the best in antique and up-cycled cabinets, tables and chairs.

“Nathan was able to communicate in the local language and negotiate,” says John, “while I stood by not uttering a word; most unusual as I am generally the more talkative!”

John and Nathan were taken on a tour through huge warehouses full of wonderful early 20th century and refurbished examples constructed in hardwood, elm or camphorwood, some featuring exquisite hand-worked antique panels or inserts.

Their supplier also stocks and manufactures authentic reproductions, a number of which they selected at the time. They also commissioned for sale several examples of original antiques spotted in a nearby temple.

The cabinets, tables and chairs cover a range of classic Chinese dynastic periods, traditionally handcrafted to an exacting style and finish to complement and enhance any home.

LOTUS ANTIQUES, All enquiries, call T: 09 376 4775 or email info@lotusantiques.co.nz and to view online visit www.lotusantiques.co.nz

GORGEOUS GIFT BOOKS FROM THE WOMEN’S BOOKSHOP

Mexico Cookbook Interior

MEXICO: THE COOKBOOK - Margarita Carrillo Arronte $65 This fat, fabulous bright pink book is the definitive bible of authentic Mexican food. It features more than 600 recipes that can be easily recreated at home, an introduction giving insight into the country’s culinary traditions, and glorious colour photographs. Yum! THE NARROW ROAD TO THE DEEP NORTH - Richard Flanagan $25 This year’s Man Booker WINNER is devastatingly brilliant. About the Australian POWs who were forced to build the Tai-Burma railway, it is a profound, disturbing and un-put-down -able exploration of human behaviour.

LISTS OF NOTE - Complied by Shaun Usher $70 Letters of Note was a hit last Christmas with people reading letters out loud to each other in bed! This magnificent new volume includes Houdini’s List of Props, Marilyn Munroe’s ‘To Do’ list, Galileo’s Shopping List, Don’ts for Women Riders 1895 (Don’t discuss bloomers with every man you know)! Gorgeous illustrated hardback.

THE WOMENS BOOKSHOP, 105 Ponsonby Road, opposite Ponsonby Central.

Online shopping www.womensbookshop.co.nz

A TREASURY OF NZ POEMS FOR CHILDREN Edited by Paula Green; illustrated by Jenny Cooper $38 This dazzling collection will make children and adults laugh, cry, jiggle and ponder. Along with Tuwhare, Baxter, Frame, Cowley, Mahy, Manhire, there’s an exciting bunch of new poets (some of them children). A total delight!

WHERE THE REKOHU BONE SINGS - Tina Makereti $38 This stunning and important New Zealand novel explores Moriori, Maori, and Pakeha identity. With two absorbing stories set 100 years apart, located on the Chatham Islands and in the Marlborough Sounds, this is powerful and compelling.

SINGING HOME THE WHALE - Mandy Hager $20 In this exquisite YA novel, also suitable for adults, a teenage boy sings glorious opera and a baby orca harmonizes with him. Extraordinary! The life of a small New Zealand fishing village is transformed, as is the boy himself. Inspiring.

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UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

Eric Knoben Eric Knoben is an artist, designer and surface effects specialist.

“I found myself in London in the late 1990s,” he says, “and sought out work where I could apply my experimental style in a commercial way.

“Within a year I was honing my craft working high-end clients including Ralph Lauren and Prada, using paint effects to create amazing interiors.

“I’ve continued to develop my style and now my main medium is furniture, which I design myself, although I can apply my effects to almost any surface. I’m also back painting a lot more, which is exciting for me.”

What were you going to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be an artist.

How did you come to be an artist?

I started taking art classes at a very early age, I continued on those lines and studied at Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design. Later I travelled over to Europe where I worked alongside other artists and designers. I learnt a lot during that time and have since developed my own techniques.

If you weren’t an artist you’d be...?

Not sure... I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. It would have to involve creativity and art.

Who is your partner?

Diana, and we have two children aged five and eight years.

What’s your favourite Ponsonby cafe?

Bambina.

Your best friend would say of you...

Hopefully that I’m funny. I like to laugh with my buddies.

Favourite Ponsonby restaurant?

Mekong Baby.

Your mother would say of you...

Hopefully that I’m honest and that I’ve always followed my heart and stuck to my path.

Favourite Ponsonby store?

Superette.

What are your virtues?

Creativity, determination, enthusiasm.

Your best kept Ponsonby secret?

My pop up store. We’re opposite Bambina. A little bit hidden, but we’re there.

And your vices?

Nothing, I’m completely pure... (actually, stealing my kids’ lollies and blaming it on their mum).

What's inspired you recently?

My kids inspire me every day - they’ve got the ultimate creativity!

Who's your ultimate rock icon?

David Bowie.

What’s your secret passion?

Old sh***y cars which take me years to do up.

What's your secret talent?

Cooking a mean chicken schnitzel.

Where do you spend your holidays?

I like going up North, I love the rugged untouched land and relaxed atmosphere there.

Name your desert island distraction: Grand Design UK. The house is on fire and your family is safe - what do you save?

My VW Beetle, 1963 (Ruby).

“I'd be lost without my…”

Family.

One thing you have learned about life is...?

If you want something you have to work for it. F PN ERIC KNOBEN POP UP, 235 Ponsonby Road, T: 021 799 842 www.ericknoben.com

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THE HISTORICAL BOROUGH OF PONSONBY AND GREY LYNN: STREET NAMES

MACKELVIE STREET James Tannock Mackelvie was born in Glasgow 1824, the son of a customs officer.

He first worked in the mercantile industry, eventually managing the Birkenhead Steam Ferry in Liverpool then he later moved to London to manage a shipping company that ran services to China and India. By chance, Mackelvie was introduced to William Brown who offered him a junior partnership in the Auckland firm he had set up with John Logan Campbell. Mackelvie accepted the proposal that included a fifth share in the firm’s profits plus a £250 per annum retainer if he would invest £4000 in the enterprise. This sum took up his entire capital so feeling confident in his decision, he set sail for New Zealand and in 1865, stepped ashore in Auckland.

Being a partner in an important firm opened all sorts of doors and he soon had many successful friends within the business community. He had a hand in forming the Auckland Acclimatisation Society and in 1867 was a founding member of the New Zealand Philosophical Society. In 1868 he was elected a director of the Bank of New Zealand. As well as having a share of the profits from his initial investment this canny Scot unofficially speculated shrewdly in the Thames goldfields on his own account but backed with the firm’s capital and credit. Meanwhile Brown had retired to ‘live at Home’ and Campbell had taken the opportunity to travel extensively through Europe but returned from his lengthy sojourn enraged when he learned what was happening in his absence. He forced out who he regarded as two errant junior partners and took over as sole proprietor and manager.

Whatever the rights or wrongs of Mackelvie’s behaviour he certainly amassed a fortune within four years and left New Zealand with his original modest capital multiplied many times. Before returning to Britain, he had prepared for his affluent retirement over some months by buying into sound local companies that produced a steady yield such as the BNZ, NZI, NZL and the Hauraki Sawmill Company. Once he was abroad he continued to invest money as a mortgagee on Auckland real estate and assumed the self-appointed role of patron of the arts, an interest he first demonstrated in New Zealand. Once settled in London he continued to attend exhibitions and art auctions. He certainly was a prodigious collector and gradually built up an extraordinary collection.

SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH MANAGED IT SERVICES If there is one thing most small businesses can agree on it’s that time equals money.

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Focus on running the business - this is the most valuable use of time for all parties involved, instead of hours or even days lost trying to deal with technological issues that in-house employees are not trained to handle.

Offer expert advice - there are many small businesses that simply do not know what they need to improve the functionality of their business. The old adage, ‘what you don’t know can’t hurt you’ does not apply in all cases. By consulting with a managed services provider you may discover areas of your business which can be improved that you previously thought were working ‘just fine’, hence improving your efficiency.

Support when you need it - Managed IT Services Providers are not only there in the event of an emergency or recovery, but also provide monitoring which can be invaluable in preventing problems before they can impact the business.

It is important for every small business to carefully examine their technical needs in order to see what services will be most beneficial to the company. Managed IT Services Providers can offer a service that not only reduces technology costs over time, but also improves functionality which in turn saves time. When this balance is achieved a small business is in the perfect position to thrive and grow. F PN MACE IT SERVICES LTD, T: 09 950 3244, www.maceit.co.nz

Auckland has benefitted from private donations, probably more than any other city in the country, and Mackelvie, in spite of the short time he spent here, became a major contributor. He was grateful for the opportunities New Zealand afforded him and by way of thanks he arranged for 500 of his books to be shipped to the newly established Auckland Public Library. They included volumes with superb lithographs and a book of tapa cloth specimens brought back from Captain Cook’s third Pacific voyage. His philanthropy didn’t end there. He also sent several consignments to Auckland from his art collection which included a ‘Saint Sebastian’ by Guido Reni, pencil drawings by JMW Turner and a bronze statue of a draped female figure, believed to have come from the ruins of Pompeii.

A few months before he died, Mackelvie produced a 60 page record of over 1800 items titled ‘Catalogue of the Mackelvie Collection for Auckland, New Zealand, 1885’. He died a bachelor that same year and left his entire collection and the money from his estate for Auckland’s citizens. His will directed that a trust be set up and administered by an independent committee. The initial trust members were to be John Logan Campbell, David L Murdoch, Thomas Russell and Albin Martin, all prominent Auckland investors.

The City Council added an extension to the recently opened art gallery and in 1893 named it the Mackelvie Gallery. Boxes which had been stored in the Brown and Campbell warehouse were opened and the entire collection put on display which included an extraordinary diversity of furniture, sculptures, paintings, miniatures, textiles, enamels, glassware, bronzes, ceramics and archaeological artefacts.

Eventually, in 1931 many items from the collection classed as applied or tribal arts were transferred to the Auckland Museum and by 1958 a private member’s bill authorised a departure from Mackelvie’s will and an agreement between the Mackelvie Trust Board and the City Council allowed the collection to be divided between the Art Gallery, the Public Library, and the Auckland Institute and Museum but ownership still remaining with PN the Mackelvie Trust Board. (DEIRDRE TOHILL) F

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LOCAL NEWS PERUVIAN BUILDS CHRISTMAS INSTALLATION IN GREY LYNN With more than 2,000 pieces in his garden, the art exhibition is open 24 hours for visitors at Xavier Egusquiza's home at 3 Castle Street in Grey Lynn.

More than 2,000 toys and different items are installed in Xavier Egusquiza's garden for Christmas. Dolls from the cartoon series The Simpsons, The Smurfs and Madagascar, little soldiers, a Machu Picchu mountain made of paper and recyclable material, wind toys and even a Sky Tower and Auckland City replica in miniature compose the art exhibition called ‘To the Castle’. Xavier was born in Peru and he has lived in Grey Lynn for the last two decades. Since 1998 he has created installations in his garden. “It makes me remember Peru. My idea is to show how Latin American people celebrate Christmas and inspire other people to decorate their houses,” he says.

The installation has two themes: ‘Wind Toys’ during the daylight and ‘Miniature City’ in the evening. “It is open 24 hours and they are totally different. In the daylight you can see all the toys in miniature, the bromeliads and the toys spinning because of the wind,” he says. According to Xavier, every year children living in the neighborhood gather toys they do not use anymore to donate to his installation. “They come with boxes and give me their useless toys,” Xavier says. So he spends a couple of months building the installation, and after that, he starts receiving curious little visitors in his garden.

When the day turns to night, the installation focus changes, he turns on a lot of colourful lights illuminating the miniature city. Xavier has also put a rotating globe which reflects the lights and creates special effects throughout the street. Some neighbours ask him if he spends to much money to keep lights on all night. But Xavier does not spend a penny more than usual. “I have solar panels on the roof, they are charged by the sun and I can use them during the night. So I do not spend energy with my installation,” he explains. In the evening, it is not possible to see all the miniature toys, but the Sky Tower and other city buildings are visible due to the lights.

The Peruvian man speaks with great affection about Christmas and his installation.

“Christmas decoration is a family tradition. In Peru we used to decorate the house every year for this season,” he remembers. He has dedicated one part of the installation to Christmas decorative objects, following the Catholic tradition as his family used to do in his native country. The exhibition will stay open in his garden until the end of the year, although sometimes he keeps the installation until the beginning of January. Xavier welcomes all visitors.

Xavier has a Bachelor of Communication Science and Public Relations, and he promotes Latin American culture, dance and art in New Zealand as a Grey Lynn Community Centre and Grey Lynn Farmers Market member. He loves art and it can be seen throughout his house, which is decorated with beautiful paintings made by him and his wife. Xavier has also a painting studio in his back garden and a event space where he organises PN meetings. (THAÍS SABINO) F

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JAY PLATT: WE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT...

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1. Swing Time Ceramic Tyre bird feeder $20 @ The Garden Party www.thegardenparty.co.nz; 2. ‘Bone Bowl’ Eclectic by Tom Dixon $468 @ Simon James Concept Store www.store.simonjamesdesign.com; 3. Fornasetti Vase (only 99 pieces worldwide) $2450 @ Design 55 www.design55.co.nz; 4. Ted Baker Toilet Bag $79.90 and Ted Baker Hip Flask $59.90 @ Askew www.askew.co.nz; 5. Morwad Marble and Brass Cakestand by Tom Dixon $285 @ Simon James Concept Store www.store.simonjamesdesign.com; 6. Big Ben bookends $95 each @ Koko Classics www.kokoclassics.co.nz; 7. Lego Stormtrooper Alarm clock $75 @ Askew www.askew.co.nz

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WE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT

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1. Chillafish BMX1E kids bike $159 @ Askew www.askew.co.nz; 2. Butterfly and Flamingo vases $260 each @ Republic www.republichome.com; 3. Raen sunglasses ‘Maude’ $175 @ Askew www.askew.co.nz; 4. Colourful Budgies on stands $90 each @ Republic www.republichome.com; 5. Whirley original stovetop popcorn maker $ 99.95 and Chilli & Lime salt $19.95 @ Millys www.millyskitchen.co.nz; 6. Pentagon Tray $49.90 and La Rochere Lyon tumblers $14 each and La Rochere Lyon Carafe $32 @ Tessuti www.tessuti.co.nz F PN STYLING: Jay Platt PHOTOGRAPHY: Danilo Santana David, Fisher Santana.

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ARTS + CULTURE SHOWING AT WHITESPACE

SUSAN ST LAWRENCE AT COLLECT

Paintings by Penny Howard - Four Steps to Standing on a Horse 9 - 24 December

Collect relaunches on Saturday 6 December with an eclectic selection of handmade objects and jewellery all made in New Zealand.

Get on your horse, kneel on its hind Be sure not to dig your knees in!

Be sure mother has a hold of the reins

In December they feature the stunning ceramic dioramas of Susan St Lawrence. Susan has a Bachelor of Visual Arts and has studied in London and Melbourne. To view an PN extended range of Collect artists visit their website - details below. F

Do not make sudden movements, to help your balance Be sure to spread your arms Be sure to push your tongue to the roof of your mouth

COLLECT @ WHITESPACE, 12 Crummer Road, T: 09 361 6331 www.collect.net.nz

Do not look down, you may get dizzy Be sure, your left arm at your side Be sure, with your right, salute the sky Excerpt from poem by Doug Poole PN Artist talk and poetry reading by Doug Poole. Saturday, 13 December 3pm - 4pm. F

WHITESPACE, 12 Crummer Road T: 09 361 6331 www.whitespace.co.nz

Spring Lamb by Susan St Lawrence

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ARTS + CULTURE FROM PONSONBY TO THE NORTH POLE - AND BACK IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS FOR PONSONBY LOCAL TIM BRAY, CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT traditions - which is why it’s so appropriate that his children’s theatre production, The Santa Claus Show, has become something of a seasonal institution in Auckland, with many families attending year after year. 2014 marks the 10th anniversary of the play, housed at Takapuna’s historic PumpHouse Theatre, and Bray is more excited than ever.

“The essential storyline hasn't changed but the script itself has had a few rewrites,” he says. “Already at rehearsals for the show this year, we have discovered new things... in the script, characters, staging and humour.”

The Santa Claus Show tells the story of Kelly and Alana, two best friends who decide to write to Santa Claus. However, Kelly sends the longest list of things she wants that Santa has ever seen, so Santa flies Kelly to the North Pole so she can learn for herself the true meaning of Christmas.

Bray went to the Auckland Youth Theatre as a teenager and landed his first job after university performing in schools with the company. “I'm still performing in schools all these years later - I love the honesty, wonder and total belief of children,” he says. The idea for The Santa Claus Show came when he was setting up his own theatre company, then called The Central Theatre, and the main characters are lovingly named after Bray’s two nieces.

“I wanted to do a play to recreate my strong memories, thanks to my parents, of the magic of Christmas... There is a very gentle part of the play where Santa quietly fills Kelly's pillow case with gifts. Tim Raby's (Santa's stunt double) performance here takes me back to my own boyhood imagining of what really happened in our living room each Christmas Eve.” The Santa Claus Show, 8 - 20 December at the PumpHouse Theatre, Takapuna. Tickets PN are available at www.timbrayproductions.org.nz or T: 09 489 8360 F

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ARTS + CULTURE GARNET STATION TINY THEATRE’S SOLO SEASON Well known actors Catherine Downes, Stephen Papps and Yvette Parsons will perform in the Garnet Station Tiny Theatre’s solo season in December.

“Helen Moulder did Gloria’s Handbag in October - the audiences loved it and we loved hosting it. The idea of dinner in the cafe followed by a show in the Tiny Theatre, which seats 35, has struck a note with local residents,” says co-owner Verity George. “Well known actors were keen to take part and within a short time we had a season of solo acts. Each of these is not to be missed.”

Award winning actor and former director of Christchurch’s Court Theatre, Catherine Downes will perform Talking of Katherine Mansfield, 2-5 December.

Stephen Papps’ Blowing It is a comic one-hander about an undercover constable going seriously off the rails. In 1999 Stephen Sinclair directed co-writer Stephen Papps in Blowing It. The show went on to receive a 5-star review at the 2001 Edinburgh Festival.

11-13 December.

Yvette Parsons in Silent Night is a poignant portrayal of a senior living life solo, delicately revealing a world where all is not as it seems. It is Christmas Day and a party is being thrown somewhere in Sunnynook. Inspired by her childhood living in the resthome her parents ran, Yvette wrote Silent Night in 2007. It was voted Best of Theatre by the New Zealand Herald in 2012. 16-18 December.

THE COMBINED PROBUS CLUB OF PONSONBY INC. Have you ever thought of dropping in to your local PROBUS Club?

It is a very warm and friendly club that would welcome your visit. We are a group of male and female retirees who meet each month for fellowship, friendship and a presentation from a guest speaker.

Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month at the Petanque Club rooms at the bottom of Salisbury Street, Herne Bay. The meeting starts at 9.45am for 10am with a bit of mix and mingle followed by a brief president’s talk on the happenings of the month and news of what is to come. This is followed by a coffee or tea; and the introduction of the guest speaker.

Our October speaker was Bunny McDiarmid, who is the Greenpeace New Zealand Executive Director. she gave us a fascinating and inspirational speech which took us right back to the Rainbow Warrior days and everything since, with lots of questions and answers ending with, ‘should we ban plastic bags?’

Our November meeting was with Patricia Troup who gave a fascinating talk on body language. Our final meeting for the year will be our Christmas function on 16 December and we resume for the new year on 20 January 2015. Visitors are always welcome at any time.

Please contact Pat Milliner on T: 09 376 1904 and arrange to come along. F PN

Shows start at 8pm, bookings are advised and an early meal makes it a great night out.

Garnet Station is licensed and offers delicious tapas and gourmet thin crispy pizzas, or a choice of two meals. Verity George and Lisa Prager have had Garnet Station for seven years and it is a favourite meeting place. There’s a rush for the famous sticky brioche at opening time, delicious cabinet food throughout the day and pizzas Wednesday to Sunday nights.

“Aucklanders will be pleased to know that we are open for the five days between Christmas and New Year, the ‘coffee drought’ period,” says Verity. (PHILIPPA TAIT) F PN Garnet Station Tiny Theatre, 85 Garnet Road, T: 09 360 3397 www.garnetstation.com Tricia Troup, an expert on ‘Body Language’

Bunny McDiarmid, Director of Green Peace

Verity George is enthusiastic about the Tiny Theatre solo season at Garnet Station in December.

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ARTS + CULTURE GET READY TO BUBBLE, POP AND EXPLODE AT MOTAT THIS JANUARY MOTAT is getting set for an action packed school holiday programme in January with fun-filled options that will suit kids of all ages and interests.

Under Pressure - 3 January to 1 February MOTAT’s latest school holiday programme, Under Pressure, is set to kick off the New Year with a bang. The programme will teach kids about the fascinating science behind pressure and will include topics such as jet propulsion, hydraulic systems, steam power and activities that build an understanding about how pressure can be controlled and used in daily life.

Lightbulb Labs - 19 to 21 January and 27 to 29 January MOTAT will also be running its hands-on Lightbulb -Lab workshops. This will include a Film Festival workshop that helps kids to express their creative side by learning how to direct, produce and edit movies and an ‘Arduino Robotics and Scribble Bots’ workshop that lets young people design and make their own robot.

“There is a real focus on creative and fun learning here at MOTAT,” says CEO Michael Frawley. “One of our strategic objectives is to help shape the next generation of innovators and what better way to do that than to create activities that merge creativity, fun and science.” F PN For more information, visit www.motat.org.nz or T: 0800 MOTAT NZ.

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FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT

Poor Boy Radio - the new way to listen Yet another beauty from Nathan Haines I was terribly sad to hear that Radio Ponsonby had closed its doors earlier in the year, and ever since I’ve kept my eye out for another local radio station to replace it.

photography: Tamara Josephine

It is no secret that it is a pricey task to broadcast over the airwaves and so the internet is the place to go for radio these days. It allows you to be free to control your content, have numerous hosts and with smartphones and the prevalence of wi-fi spots it becomes very easy for people to tune in.

I came across Poor Boy Radio and I quickly jumped on board to help, host and work with Dylan Pyle, the founder. I sat down with him to discover the background of the station and where it had come from.

Dylan used to work in radio a few years ago and what became apparent quickly is that there is not a lot of effort put in to cater for unique audiences. There are lots of sub-genres that aren’t popular enough to stack a radio station with listeners and are therefore disregarded, or pushed off into obscure time slots. One of the major aims for Poor Boy is to bring this music to the fore, give it a place where people can access it and new audiences can discover it.

One of the things that was great about Radio Ponsonby was the ability to stream online. It is increasingly common for people to listen to internet services and podcasts rather than listen to mainstream radio. Internet is the future direction of radio. People don’t want to hear advertising and in order to stream on mainstream radio you are looking at large costs, and restrictions on what you can broadcast.

One of the aims of Poor Boy Radio is for people to be free to control their show’s content and its audience however they want. Dylan and his team have very little censorship over content, and this is different to most other radio stations. Each host has total control over their show and with no advertising required, shows are 100% music or broadcaster led discussion. With the inbuilt chat on the website listeners can interact with the show hosts.

The station started back in July 2014. Dylan owned some dried up but still quite functional recording equipment and was mucking around streaming live sets over YouTube. This transitioned into a weekly radio show. Dylan soon found YouTube to be a poor format to be streaming on and figured if Poor Boy was to have complete control over content and its method of delivery, the best approach was to do everything himself. He built a website and taught himself the skills to get the whole system working. Numerous people have jumped on board since July and there is a team working on ways to provide the best service to listeners.

It was with great pleasure I sat down at the Long Room to have a conversation with Nathan Haines about his new album 5 A Day. Having come from a day swimming on Waiheke, he was relaxed over a beer and happy to chat about his new album, a year after we discussed his last, Vermillion Skies.

It was nice to have another chat with Nathan Haines as he is one of my early influences that kept me playing a woodwind instrument, with the hope of one day moving on to the golden versions of the clarinet. Still yet to happen. I discovered on his new record (something that definitely shows my age) that he plays flute and that it was his first instrument.

Nathan returned to London at the start of the year, after a long stay in New Zealand publicising Vermillion Skies and asked himself what type of record he wanted to make.

After deciding he would keep doing an album a year, he knew he wanted to do something different for this one. He’d had a personal journey over the previous two albums doing traditional jazz and decided he wanted to go back to his signature early sound and make a party album. 5 A Day came together as a record him and wife, Jamie Webster Haines, could DJ with at parties and something people could play out. The only rule of the project was to have no jazz-funk. It’s easy to imagine how a saxophonist making a party record could slip into the jazz funk region, but in the many months of recording and writing this was the single rule that stuck.

Nathan pulled a team around him including Marc Mac and New Zealand producer and DJ P-Money who both provided beats for him to write with. One of the core concepts of the album was group vocals, with very little of the album featuring a single vocalist. This was important to Nathan as he wanted to create a record that was inclusive and that everyone could sing along to. 5 A Day showcases Nathan on numerous instruments, including saxophone and flute, but also vocals and the Indian tamboura. He also co-produced and engineered the record.

A new experience for his team, they decided that they would do it themselves, as they would “do it better because it was theirs.” Spending three months holed up in a house studio in rural Buckinghamshire, long-time collaborator Mike Patto and Nathan mixed, reworked and created tracks from demos into an album that would come to sound as polished and perfected as any produced by the best in the business.

The first single Count On Me, dropped in early November and features Nathan, Jamie Mike Patto and Vanessa Freeman on vocals and is a catchy tune that will surely be around all summer. My first few listens to the album have given me a whole new view on Nathan Haines and after loving his ‘jazz albums’ I am a true convert to the hip-hop, party sound that he has created on 5 A Day. A slightly bizarre name for an album, it was suggested by Jamie, and it fit perfectly with the family concept of the album, and with the nature of stripping back the music to its essentials.

The album was released 28 November and with Nathan in the country for a few months keep an eye out for some must see concerts. (FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT) F PN

Poor Boy currently has six shows a week, with a special events and one-off shows filling in other slots. They are always looking for more shows to add to the line up. It’s run on a first come first served basis, so if you have a computer and a microphone you are likely able to host a show. Shows can be as plain as ‘soul music’ or as abstract as ‘low-fi noise rock”. If anyone is interested in doing a show, or wants more information they can contact Dylan, djpyle93@gmail.com Poor Boy aims to fill up as many time slots as they can, and have only just branched into daytime streaming with their new Friday Coffee Time show from 2-4pm. They recently broadcast their first international show with co-hosts in France and New Zealand. This is definitely the station to watch over the next year, if you’re interested in getting involved PN or have any questions check out the Facebook page. (FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT) F www.facebook.com/poorboyradio www.poorboyradio.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.

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Summer festivals and music events over the January period As there is no January edition of Ponsonby News I felt it was my job to wish everyone a Happy New Year (as well as a Merry Christmas) and to draw your attention to some fantastic festivals and music events over the January period.

On 30 January the very lovely Passenger will be gracing the stage at the Civic. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing him and it’s well worth it. Anniversary weekend in January is packed with events. I can’t pick which is the best to attend but I will give some of the options. All weekend (24-26 January) is the Auckland Folk Festival in Kumeu featuring international and local folk acts, workshops, invitational concerts and the announcement of the Tui Folk Album of the Year. On the Sunday (25 January) Dave Dobbyn & Don McGlashan, Supergroove, Anika Moa will be playing at Villa Maria Estate Winery as part of the Winery Tour.

ARTS + CULTURE SHOWING AT TOI ORA END OF YEAR STUDIO EXHIBITION 4 December - 30 January

Opens Thursday 4 December with live performances from 5 - 7pm Toi Ora welcomes you to an art extravaganza end of year studio exhibition with fine art for sale, perfect for those special Christmas gifts.

In addition purchase the Toi Ora calendar, be inspired by unique outsider art and keep on track for 2015; the calendar is available now at Toi Ora. Calendar front cover image: Selwyn Vercoe - ‘Te Hahi Mihinare o Aotearoa’ 2014 F PN TOI ORA, 6 Putiki Street, T: 09 360 417 info@toiora.org.nz www.toiora.org.nz

Finally, on Monday 26 January is St Jerome’s Laneway Festival in Silo Park. Plus all the numerous New Year’s Eve gigs and festivals, it’s a great time for music. I’ll be knee deep in music at Prana Festival in the Coromandel. Have a great summer!

PN (FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT) F

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ARTS + CULTURE AT THE WAKE Acclaimed playwright, Victor Rodger, was born and grew up in Christchurch but he has transplanted himself to Ponsonby.

He admits to a feeling of weirdness when he visits his ‘munted’ home town, realising the city will never be the same again, but on the other hand excited at what it could become. He likens its present state to a film set where it’s normal to be surrounded by dust and rubble. Victor is no stranger to film sets. He’s been a writer and storyliner for ‘Shortland Street’ since 2000. For his theatre work he draws on his own life experience of being illegitimate, gay, of part Samoan heritage, brought up in a born-again Christian Palagi family, and not meeting his father till he was an adolescent. This diversity has provided Victor with a rich minefield that has brought him significant rewards.

When his first play ‘Sons’ was performed at Downstage Theatre in Wellington it won four Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards as well as ‘Most Outstanding New Writer’ and ‘Most Outstanding New NZ Play’. The ‘Bruce Mason Playwriting Award’ followed and after studying at the Maurits Binger Foundation in Amsterdam he was awarded the 2006 Fullbright-Creative New Zealand Pacific Writers’ Residency at the Centre for Pacific Studies in Hawaii. His background was journalism before he moved into writing for theatre and TV, managing to be successful in three very different media, but confesses his true love is theatre because to witness audience reaction is very immediate. They are either with the play or not!

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH A DAME Following the success of his inaugural Christmas concert last year, Tim Beveridge is thrilled to announce Dame Malvina Major and Simon O’Neill will join him in for a Christmas concert to remember.

With a voice that has been described as ‘effortless’ and ‘dazzling,’ Tim will again present an evening which captures the spirit of Christmas with an intimate, heartwarming and entertaining concert.

His playwriting has always been well supported and he’s found all of his directors totally simpatico. Particularly Roy Ward who he’s worked with three times and always, his own vision has been exceeded by what Roy has come up with. As a writer, Victor says you can’t ask for anything better.

Dame Malvina Major is one of New Zealand’s most cherished musical icons and Simon O’Neill is arguably one of the finest helden-tenors currently on the international stage.

Roy is directing Victor’s latest play ‘At the Wake’ which plays at the Herald Theatre until Saturday 6 December, at 8pm, so Ponsonby News readers still have a late opportunity to view it. Celebrated thespian, Lisa Harrow plays the leading role magnificently in this ribald black comedy along with Robbie Magasiva and Taofia Pelesasa. It’s the fourth play Victor has done with Taofia who is hot property now, having acted in the Australian Prison drama ‘Wentworth’ which is successful worldwide. The show has already played in Palmerston North and Victor was unsure how provincial New Zealand would react but it did surprisingly well there in spite of all the profanity and blasphemy.

“Hospice is a very special organisation and I’m thrilled to be supporting the wonderful work they do in the community. I’ve recently had a family member looked after by Dove House and I have nothing but praise for their wonderful service and care,” says Tim.

Victor hasn’t been in a relationship for some years and as a single gay man admires writer friends who are struggling with family commitments and financial responsibilities.

He says he needs a clear run when he writes, rather than a broken focus. The optimum time for his oeuvre is 3 or 4am when he looks down Ponsonby Road from his fourth floor PN apartment and everything is still. “It’s a really nice quiet time to write”. F (DEIRDRE TOHILL)

The event promises to provide a magical evening of music, fun and laughter with proceeds raised going to Mercy Hospice Ponsonby and Dove House Eastern Bays Hospice to help provide care and support long after the festive season is over.

Dame Malvina Major also has the most heartfelt respect for Mercy Hospice in particular for the incredible care given to her music teacher and friend, Dame Sister Mary Leo. “Christmas for some can be a lonely time. As I grow older I’ve realised how important music is to people - it brings emotions alive, provides hope and a reason to live. Music makes people happy and I’m thrilled to join Tim and Simon to provide a magical evening of entertaining fun.”

An irresistible evening of music; the perfect way to sprinkle some Christmas cheer and get you into the spirit for the festive season.

Date: Venue: Time:

Tuesday 16 December Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell 7.30pm. Beverages will be available to purchase in foyer from 6.30pm.

Our thanks to EuroVintage for donating the wine for the evening.

Don’t miss out! Purchase your tickets at iticket.co.nz today.

To continue enjoying the Christmas spirit long after the concert, Tim has also produced a Christmas CD with 11 beautifully recorded Christmas tracks backed by some of New Zealand’s finest musicians. CD’s will be available to purchase for $15 on the night of the concert, at Hospice shops and at Farmers stores nationwide. $10 from every CD sale will go to support Hospice. F PN

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SHOWING AT NO.1 PARNELL AWHI-EMBRACE - A Christmas group show 22 December - 28 February, Opening: 26 December 10.30am The Depot Artspace in Devonport now has a sibling creative community in Rawene on the beautiful Hokianga Harbour. The historic building at 1 Parnell Street has been lovingly restored as a socially conscious arts space providing opportunities for artists to develop greater sustainability in their practice. It opened in October with an exhibition by Hokianga artists, No Drill, No Spill, followed by Flag It!, an exhibition held at the Depot and inspired by Hokianga Maori Artists’ He W’akaputanga-A Proclamation. This interchange of exhibitions has resulted in great opportunities for artists, north and south.

Kaitiaki - Jo Barrett

Awhi-Embrace is an exhibition in all media, to be held in conjunction with Black Space Gallery’s pop-up show in No. 1’s smaller, ‘Waka’ gallery. Awhi-Embrace will bring together Hokianga artists and their Depot-based counterparts, celebrating a relationship anticipated to be mutually rewarding. One of the exhibiting artists is Ponsonby News’ PN own Jo Barrett, an accomplished artist who has significant ties with the Hokianga. F

ARTS + CULTURE WHAT’S ON AT LAKEHOUSE ARTS MEMBERS’ MERIT AWARD EXHIBITION Until 19 December Lake House will hold their annual Members’ Merit award exhibition which reflects the broad range of art media that current members of Lake House are working in. This exhibition will run until Lake House closes for Christmas on 19 December.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY ART CLASSES 27 - 30 January In January Lake House offers some wonderful school holiday art classes. The summerthemed classes include Ceramic Ice Cream Bowl with Bill Hayes, Paint a Summer Beach Bag with Katie Smith and Birds of Summer with Cath O’Brien. There is something to inspire creativity in every little artist just before school goes back for 2015! F PN For more information please visit: LAKE HOUSE ARTS CENTRE, 37 Fred Thomas Drive Barry’s Point Reserve, Takapuna, just off the motorway at the Esmonde Road ramp T: 09 486 4877 or visit www.lakehousearts.org.nz

For further information about the exhibition or exhibiting contact Dawn Harris: NO.1 PARNELL, 1 Parnell Street, Rawene, Hokianga, T: 09 405 7520, number1parnell@gmail.com

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ARTS + CULTURE GEORGIE MALYON FLORAL ARTIST AND STYLIST

LEMONADE - CREATING SUCCESSFUL BRANDS WITH A SMILE

“Design and colour were my first love. Then flowers found me and we clicked - it all made sense.”

The Lemonade design team, headed up by Andrea Fowler, has been in the business of creating and nurturing brands for over 15 years.

For over 10 years Georgie Malyon has worked as a florist in a number of Auckland’s top boutiques and during this time she has honed her craft. Creating floral installations for a range of clients and events, Georgie also collaborates with designers and artists on floral design and styling projects.

“We believe the key to our success is a strategic approach that is insight driven, and the results are what really make a difference to our clients.”

“My artistic practice has developed particularly in the last five years, inspired by my obsession with vintage postcards, the Dutch paintings of flowers and the theme of memento mori. I create all arrangements by hand: painting the backgrounds; casting and painting the plaster of Paris skulls; choosing, preparing and arranging the flowers; incorporating props from my collection of vintage treasures.”

It all happens in Georgie’s studio where she meticulously creates each arrangement before photographing it, so there is minimal post-production.

“I love flowers, I could never tire of them,” says Georgie. “I’m always on the lookout for new, adventurous ways to work with flora and make beautiful things. Please feel free to get in touch via the Contact page on my website if you have any questions about my PN work, or if you’d like to chat about working together.” F GEORGIE MALYON, M: 021 207 4562, www.georgiemalyon.com Prints are also available through www.endemicworld.com

At the core of creating successful brands is a passion to be a partner to their clients, not just another supplier. Relationship is key, a philosophy that applies to all their clients who range from bright new start-ups to SME’s and well-known Kiwi corporates.

A Grey Lynn studio, affectionately known as the ‘happy place’ is home to a small team of passionate creatives who are always going the extra distance to deliver stunning communications. The range of services on offer is diverse, from concept development to full service brand campaigns and management.

Working across multiple platforms in today’s digital space is just one of the areas they thrive in, alongside traditional advertising and print design.

Working with Lemonade is easy as they are flexible, working with a network of trusted industry partners and specialist consultants, without the restraint and complications of a ‘big agency’ model. Clients always receive a personal service and they are at the heart of the creative process. The result of working in partnership enables possibility and can lead to new direction, often beyond that of an initial brief. That’s where Lemonade shine, always adding value and creating smiles all round. F PN LEMONADE DESIGN, 401A Richmond Road, T: 09 360 0331 www.SmileWorkHappy.co

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CAMERA FOR THE JOB Having been in the camera and photographic business for more than 25 years, Photo Warehouse in Great North Road offers the best professional advice.

This means when buying a camera from a photo specialist store you will leave with a better understanding of photographic gear and what it can achieve, resulting in a better chance of ending up with the right camera to suit your needs.

Georgie Malyon, Blue Lillies

At Photo Warehouse they cater for the professional photographer, the enthusiast and those who simply want the basic ‘point and shoot’ camera that can be taken everywhere to get their favourite snap shots. And if you are looking for the latest Gopro or Hello Kitty instant camera they have these too.

All cameras they sell come through official New Zealand importers therefore all come with full backup and support here in New Zealand.

The Photo Warehouse summer catalogue has recently been distributed and so if you didn’t get one in your letterbox they suggest you drop into the store and pick one up - it is packed full of great gift ideas for Christmas and special offers on a range of photographic products.

They have a full range of photo printing options in store and online. If you are in a hurry or not able to get in to the store, then why not order your photos or photo-book for Christmas online? Then drop in and collect when the prints are ready or at a time that suits you. There is on-site parking and they are open seven days. F PN PHOTO WAREHOUSE, 175 Great North Road, T: 09 303 2148 www.photowarehouse.co.nz

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ARTS + CULTURE UPTOWN ART SCENE Coming soon to a place near you..?

November brought the end of year graduate shows at Auckland’s art schools, showcasing the degree work of the next generation of artists. It’s the big opportunity for graduates to get the best of their work in front of the public, collectors, curators, and gallery owners, as well as showing their biggest fan base - friends and family - what they’ve been doing for the last few years.

The graduate shows are also a good opportunity to see what trends are emerging. This year, sculpture and 3D work seemed to make up the greatest portion of displayed work. While last year ceramic was the new black, there is less small object sculpture and more of the sort that explores architectural space on a grand scale, especially at Elam and AUT. Painting, having been removed from its pedestal a good decade ago, maintains around half a dozen practitioners at each of the schools. There seems to be a dissolving of figuration in favour of more ambiguous references. Photography has died down significantly from previous years, though is sure to make a comeback. At Elam particularly, the few photographers are presenting very painterly images. Video is also less prominent than in previous years, and despite the huge increase in screen printing outside the art schools, printmaking is very under represented.

Flavours and fashions ebb and flow, and what a graduate presents here can be wildly different from what they show once they get the opportunity to exhibit in gallery mile: the PN Uptown Art Scene along and around Great North and Karangahape Roads. F (WILL PAYNT, STUDIO ART SUPPLIES)

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THE FRAMING STUDIO FRAMING IT TO PERFECTION “Daryl Taylor-Edwards owner of The Framing Studio is my framer, and more: he is an important partner in presenting both my own work and that of our collection.

“I can rely on his excellent sense of proportion and his perfectionism. He seeks creative solutions and works to my - at times - tight deadlines and budget. It is obvious that Daryl loves working directly with artists and art lovers, and is a regular around the galleries, checking out the latest trends in presenting photography, printmaking, drawing and painting. Working with Daryl is a real pleasure.” Evan Woodruffe, artist.

From simple, classic white box frames to divine imported Italian Bellini moulding, Daryl is focused and passionate about presenting your precious artwork, your child’s latest masterpiece, or your hard-won credentials for your office wall so that it sings. With over 15 years of framing experience, Daryl also brings his previous career as a chef into his practice: “Framing is a lot like cooking - the right ingredients, put together ‘just so’, and presented to appeal to your senses.”

Daryl works with a wide range of media: photographic, fine art drawing and painting, prints, 3D/sculptural, graphic, as well as re-glazing. He also specialises in designer mirrors (he supplied the four huge new ones at SPQR). His studio is located in a convenient city fringe site in Union Street, Freemans Bay, with customer parking available. F PN Holiday special: 30% off framing brought in between December - January. Discounts for children’s art. For all enquiries or to make an appointment contact Daryl at: THE FRAMING STUDIO, M: 021 272 7761 daryl@theframingstudio.co.nz www.theframingstudio.co.nz

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

ARTS + CULTURE

SHOWING AT CROW CARLINA GOFFE JEWELLERY: HAMMERED HOME 3 - 28 December It was standing within a deserted South Island sawmill that Carlina Goffe found the inspiration for her latest jewellery collection. “It was the connection between environment and element,” she says. “The way things can build together.” This December the Grey Lynn artist will open a pop up shop to showcase her work, sourced from and infused with a road trip from Auckland to the tip of the South Island.

Carlina is a silversmith, whose technique has a legacy of thousands of years. Her own start came as a stallholder in London’s Covent Garden, where she worked for 15 years, before shifting with her family to New Zealand. She now works from a shed in her garden, hammering to the exclamations of Western Springs’ geese.

This latest collection is the celebration of 20 years in the country the artist calls home.

It encompasses a huge range of work, from West Coast stones set in silver to simple, elegant necklaces, as well as one-off art pieces. At the heart of each piece is that long and winding road south.

INDULGE YOUR CREATIVITY THIS SUMMER CORBAN ESTATE ARTS CENTRE CELEBRATES THE NEW YEAR BY OPENING ITS DOORS for Summer School - bringing in a fabulous array of prominent New Zealand artists for an intense and rewarding week of creative workshops.

Summer School offers a unique opportunity for people from all walks of life to work alongside experts in their field, sharing in the skills and strategies that have made them so successful.

At the foot of the Waitakere ranges, and just a short drive from the city, Corban Estate is the perfect place to escape and indulge your creativity. There will be 10 practical and inspiring workshops to choose from, ranging from sculpture, painting and printmaking to children’s book illustration, stencilling and jewellery. Some old favourites from previous years will be returning to teach classes, including painters Allie Eagle and Evan Woodruffe, illustrators Nina Rycroft and Sandra Morris, Darjit sculptor Kobi Beck and the queen of stencil art Hayley King (aka FLOX).

“In a way, the landscape is the antithesis to my jewellery,” says Carlina. “The vast wildness of the world against the intricacies of my work, but they inform each other.” And while her pieces hold traditional form and refinement, their texture recalls rivers, pebbles, strata; the PN places that made the artist “feel so small, with so much to marvel at.” F

Iona Matheson will offer an intensive course in sculpture using clay, plaster and recycled paper, while Iain Cheesman reveals how he transforms everyday items into the highly sought-after artworks he’s had showing in galleries and museums up and down the country. Painter Adrian Jackman and print maker Ruby Oakley will also be offering classes, alongside Simon Misdale, who shares 34 years of experience in jewellery making.

CROW, 453 Richmond Road, www.carlinagoffe.co.nz

PN Visit www.ceac.org.nz for more information or to book. F

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ARTS + CULTURE REBECCA TER BORG ILLUSTRATION

SHOWING AT OREXART

Rebecca ter Borg is a freelance illustrator based in Auckland.

Her illustrations depict a quirky, dreamy and stylish alternative narrative to everyday life.

Richard McWhannell - Painted Women Until 20 December

She can be commissioned for work through the agency International Rescue, her personal favourites being those jobs with an environmental bent, such as posters for DOC and NIWA, although she has a versatile approach for different work that comes her way.

Rebecca also exhibits around Auckland, with an upcoming group fashion illustration show ‘Illustrate’ at TUR on 18 December where illustrators will be matched with a fashion designer to interpret their style.

When not drawing in the studio you may catch Rebecca around at events such as K’ Road First Thursdays as part of the QuickDraw sketch gang doing live drawing on the street where you can sit for your very own portrait in her style.

To keep her creative practice fresh she has a range of personal work which she sells as prints in which she can explore her natural style which she describes as ‘magical realism’. These and other work can be seen on her website and prints can be ordered by contacting the PN artist directly. F

A survey of some of this Grey Lynn resident’s classic portraits created over several decades. The earliest is a portrait of the painter’s wife, actor Donogh Rees, made in 1982, but the majority were painted between 2007 and 2010 when McWhannell’s practice was focused on studio portraiture. His sitters, including friends and family members, are presented both as themselves, and in poses appropriated from art history.

Richard McWhannell - detail of Nadege, second to last, oil on linen 45 x 38 cm

Peter James Smith - Carried Extended until 20 December Peter James Smith’s visually and intellectually rich installation of assemblages has been extended until Christmas. The exhibition title, Carried, is a play on the tea trays that make up the artworks’ supports, and perhaps a comment on the way collectors get ‘carried away’ when it comes to acquiring them... The pieces are all sold individually at very collectable prices. Santa take note.

When you call in to the gallery, you can also say hello to Gladys, the newest canine addition to the OREXART team. We look forward to seeing you. F PN OREXART, 15 Putiki Street, Arch Hill, T: 09 378 0588 E: rex@orexart.co.nz www.orexart.co.nz

REBECCA TER BORG, rebeccaterborg@gmail.com, www.rebeccaterborg.com

Peter James Smith - partial installation view of Carried

JOHN REYNOLDS ‘ACRONYM’ SERIES

$250 each at Workshop www.workshop.co.nz

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OUT + ABOUT

Above L to R: Andrew Dickens and Miriyana Alexander; Paul Little and Martin Leach; Frances and Jack Leigh

Above L to R: Joan Mackenzie and Carole Beau; Laila Harre and Tim Roxborogh; Matt McEvoy and BobMcEvoy

photography: Clare Gemima

Above L to R: Wendy and Grant Robinson; Denis OReilly and George Henare; Rhys Jones and Merv Smith

Above L to R: Martin Leach, Claire Gard and David Hartnell; Paul and Deborah Dykzeul, Denis OReilly and Mike Hutcheson

GRUMPY OLD MEN BOOK LAUNCH @ GREY LYNN COMMUNITY LIBRARY - MONDAY 10 NOVEMBER

FANS ... PLEASE LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/ponsonbynews

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OUT + ABOUT

Above L to R: Ali of Auckland Puppy Rescue, Bria of CDANZ, and Donna, with Harry, Piper, & Chase; Anneka with Natalie’s home baked creations; Brett, Katie, Lisa, Amy, Rae, & Caleb, sausage sizzling at the Grey Lynn Community Centre

Above L to R: Bria, Harry, and Hasunka of Chained Dog Awareness NZ; Wookie & Steve; CDANZ fundraiser

Above L to R: At the Chained Dog Awareness NZ Fundraiser; Wookie and Amy; Dominic and Lucy, with Buddy and Turbo

photography: Michael McClintock

Above L to R: Puppy Power!; Rae Wilkins of Chained Dog Awareness, with Linda McCartney sponsored vegan sausages; Vickie and Glenn Macrae

Above L to R: Carmen Lichi, Lydie Whitehead and Ludo; Chloe Ettrick of One Podgy Dog, with Podge; Wookie

CHAINED DOG AWARENESS FUNDRAISING EVENT @ GREY LYNN COMMUNITY CENTRE - SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER

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Above L to R: Jodi and Murray Sweetpants; Nick Atkinson and Lydia Jenkin; Sarah and Otis Frizzell, Aroha Harawira

KOPPARBERG CIDER PARTY @ LONGROOM, PONSONBY - THURSDAY 6 NOVEMBER Kopparberg cider ambassadors’ foodie duo Sarah and Otis Frizzell and local DJ and George FM Breakfast presenter Aroha Harawira hosted a summer party at Longroom in Ponsonby.

Above L to R: Craig Brown, Victoria Papaspiropoulos, Tom Scott, Antonios Papaspiropoulos; Fay Hutchison and Robyn Middlemiss; Fiona Mackenzie, Louise Lockwwod, Elise Lockwood

photography: Clare Gemima

Above L to R: Julie Inlglis, Belinda Tomas, Virginia Clayton; Mark Sainsbury and Tom Scott; Richard Burton, Anne Burton and Rod Inglis

Above L to R: Tiella & Andrew Cashmore, Keiran Symth of Symth Galleries, Yvonne Cashmore and Keat Cashmore

DAVID BROMLEY LAUNCH @ SMYTH GALLERIES, JERVOIS ROAD - 6 NOVEMBER The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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photography: Michael McClintock

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ART IN THE DARK 2014 @ WESTERN PARK, PONSONBY - THURSDAY 13 NOVEMBER

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photography: Martin Leach

OUT + ABOUT

Above L to R: Owner Anna Lim; Chris Foote and Fiona Sykes; Penny, Paula, Caitlin and Anna - the team at the Garden Party

GARDEN PARTY 21ST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION @ PONSONBY ROAD - TUESDAY 4 NOVEMBER

Above L to R: SmashBox Artist Dominique demonstrating on a guest; Toni & Guy Ponsonby team: Ursula, Anthony, Bex & Holly; Event guests Pip, Sarah & Joanna

TONI & GUY CLIENT EVENT @ PONSONBY ROAD - WEDNESDAY 5 NOVEMBER Smashbox/Toni & Guy teamed up for an Get your Glam on event held at Toni & Guy Ponsonby salon. A successful event with a full house of amazing guests.

photography: Clare Gemima

Above L to R: Aorangi Logan, Hui Kamariera and Bill Logan; Dave King and Helen Scott; Graham Wiremu, Wendy Douglas and Clive Broughton

Above L to R: Sweeties Victoria Hardy and Robin Walters; Ron Redel and Charlotte Redel; Sam Walter, Robin Walter author photographer Putiputi McMahon

MARAE BOOK LAUNCH @ BOB & FRIENDS, PONSONBY ROAD - THURSDAY 6 NOVEMBER ANY PAGE IN PONSONBY NEWS IS A GOOD PLACE TO BE SEEN

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L to R: Todd Bilton and Rachel Morton; Emma Gleason, Anjali Stewart and Rachel Easting

L to R: Greg and Claire Hammon; Minty MacFarlane, Kathryn Wilson and Christine Sharma

L to R: Megan Bedford and Rebecca Lawson; David Dallas and Charlotte Ryan

L to R: Ben Lawson, Katherine Lowe and Lelani Momoisea; Juliette Hogan and Lucy Slater

JULIETTE HOGAN CELEBRATES 10 YEARS - THURSDAY 6 NOVEMBER Juliette Hogan celebrated her business’ 10 year anniversary over champagne and a black 3-tiered cake with close supporters and industry friends, at Silo Six.

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OUT + ABOUT

Above L to R: Applause for the writers; Award Judge, Trisha Hanifin; Bronwen Hughes and Meemee Phipps

Above L to R: Caitlin Smith sings Song to the Siren; Ellie Baker and Lauren Hughes; Finalist, Ellie Baker, Author of Immigration

Above L to R: Winner, James Russell, Author of the Dragon Brothers Trilogy; Second equal winner, Louise de Varga, Author of Kapowai the Dragonfly’s Birthday; In third place, Michael Botur, Author of short story collections Hot Bible! and Mean

photography: Michael McClintock

Above L to R: Second equal winner, Poet Gus Simonovic; Shared third place, Raewyn Alexander, Author; MC Anita Arlov

Above L to R: Miles Hughes’ Family watch the ceremony; some words from Author James George; writers in conversation

MILES HUGHES ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2014 @ ONE 2 ONE, PONSONBY - SUNDAY 9 NOVEMBER

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Miles Hughes Achievement Award 2014 @ One2One, Ponsonby - Sunday 9 November Auckland’s writing community celebrated the success of its indie writers with the announcement of winning entries in the inaugural Miles Hughes Achievement Award held at One2One cafe on Sunday 9 November.

James Russell won the top prize on the day; Louise de Varga and Gus Simonovic were second equal; Raewyn Alexander and Michael Botur shared third place; and Ellie Baker was highly commended.

This MHAA was inspired by the qualities Ponsonby writer Miles Hughes embodied in his writing career, before he passed away earlier this year.

Miles self-published seven novels, including last year’s Richmond Road, as well as nonfiction titles such as 150 Years of New Zealand Shipbuilding 1795-1945. He also collaborated with Anita Arlov in creating successful spoken word events - inside out open mic nights held at One2One Cafe, and Auckland Fringe Festival’s Spit It Out events for which he and Anita won the Special Award of the Auckland Fringe Festival 2013.

MHAA spokesperson Trisha Hanifin said it was extremely hard making decisions about who the winners would be as there were so many entries of a high calibre across the Award’s three main criteria of innovation in the new indie publishing environment; involvement in the local writing community; and perseverance in the face of challenges and setbacks. She said it was humbling to see how much energy, creativity and resilience fellow writers had, and how they supported others.

OUT + ABOUT A VERY SKATEBOARD CHRISTMAS FROM BOARDER TOWN A very generous project by a group of local businesses, including Boarder Town on College Hill, has initiated a scheme to provide new or used skateboards to children in Barnardos homes as Christmas presents.

Collated under the Lost Boys Collective, donors are asked to drop off skateboards at locations from Ponsonby to Havelock North.

Christmas in New Zealand is a special occasion and a very suitable time to give something for kids in need.

“We want to give underprivileged kids a chance to experience the fun, freedom and creativity that skateboarding can bring,” says Tim Guy from Boarder Town, College Hill.

“If you have anything kicking around or would like to donate new gear please get in touch with us or drop the boards off at our College Hill store, opposite New World,” urges Tim.” Even if you have bits and pieces lying around we will turn them into completes that are ready to roll for the kids, so please drop them in too.”

Ponsonby News supports this generous project. Get behind it and donate.

Thanks Tim and your mates - we hope it is really successful.

T: 09 973 0575 to talk to Tim or one of his staff, or call in to 3 College Hill with your boards or donation. F PN

Ultimately, James Russell won for his imagination and drive in publishing and marketing his Dragon Brothers Trilogy of children’s books, for writing a free ‘how-to-guide for others interested in indie publishing, and for his achievement in selling 6,000 copies of his books in 140 stores throughout New Zealand.

Second place-getter Louise de Varga created the successful Auckland Independent Book Festival held in Devonport this year (and is already taking bookings from stallholders for next year’s event), as well as self-publishing her book ‘Kapowai the Dragonfly’s Birthday’.

Joint second place-getter, poet and performer Gus Simonovic, was commended for his entrepreneurship in creating a wide range of innovative spoken word events for local writers and audiences and recently published his poetry collection Allowed and Aloud.

Third place-getters Raewyn Alexander and Michael Botur have also supported fellow writers. Their published books include Botur’s short story collections Hot Bible and Mean, and this year Alexander published her third novel Glam Rock Boyfriends.

Highly commended Ellie Baker has also successfully produced and marketed her nonfiction book, The Emotional Challenges of Immigration, and is involved with writing PN groups in South Auckland. F

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photography: Fionna Hill

OUT + ABOUT

THE SUCCESSFUL HALLOWEEN BASH AT THE 'WILTON PICNIC PATCH'

WILTON STREET COMMUNITY GARDENS Wilton Picnic Patch began life as the Wilton Street Community Gardens. Now reduced in size it is still an organic garden focusing on edibles. It’s behind The Gypsy Tearoom in the heart of West Lynn.

By early summer 2014 it will be weeded and replanted and two picnic tables will be available for anyone to call in for a visit, or bring a picnic lunch and relax in the bountiful small garden. The gate is not locked. It’s child friendly - fenced with a secure gate. As Fionna Hill says, “We’ll build a bug hotel, ‘The Wilton Hilton’, for kids to enjoy once we have spring planting completed. Meanwhile, we welcome any help volunteered and any visitors who would like to enjoy this wee gem as we do. We currently garden every Friday at 10am.” F PN

176 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FIREFIGHTER OF THE MONTH SUMMER TIPS FROM THE BOYS AT PONSONBY FIRE STATION With December comes the change of season and of course Christmas! Here are a few tips that will keep you safe during the holiday period.

BBQ safety • Before using a grill, check the connection between the gas tank and the fuel line.

• Do not overfill the gas tank.

• Do not wear loose clothing while cooking at a barbecue.

• Be careful when using lighter fluid.

• Do not add fluid to an already lit fire because the flame can flashback up into the container and explode.

• Keep all matches and lighters away from children. Teach your children to report any loose matches or lighters to an adult immediately.

• Supervise children around outdoor grills.

• Dispose of hot coals properly - douse them with plenty of water, and stir them to ensure that the fire is out. Never place them in plastic, paper or wooden containers.

• Never grill/barbecue in enclosed areas - carbon monoxide could be produced.

• Don’t light fires in a fire ban area - you could be liable for whatever damage is caused.

• And finally, make sure your barbecue is completely extinguished when finished.

Jonathan Lu Has been working at the Ponsonby for over a year and has become an integral part of the Ponsonby fire station staff.

How do you keep fit?

Before every shift I always try to do a workout. On my days off or after shifts I go rock climbing and swimming.

Best part of the job?

Saving cats from trees.

Most unusual callout?

Using a drink bottle to put out a small ceiling fire.

Favourite local cafe?

Queenies Cafe in Freemans Bay. Best Ponsonby secret?

Lime Bar. Favourite super hero?

The Rock. F PN

Gas cylinders • Always ensure there is adequate ventilation.

• Store and install cylinders in an upright position with the valve uppermost.

• Be careful when changing cylinders. Make sure the valve on the empty cylinder is turned off before disconnecting and do not turn on the valve of the full cylinder until it is securely connected.

• When storing, ensure that cylinders are either secured on deck away from hatches so any escaping gas disperses, or are placed in a properly designed and ventilated container above the water line.

Christmas tree lights • Remember your lights have been stored away in their box since last Christmas. Check the lights carefully before placing them on the tree. If any of the wires are frayed or broken, throw them out and buy a new set of lights.

• Make sure all the connections are tight and that the bulbs/cords are in good condition. Loose connections and frayed cords can cause a short circuit.

• Test the lights before you place on the tree. Once installed, you should be able to turn the lights on and off without having to crawl under the tree.

• Never leave the tree lights on overnight or when leaving the house.

• Never use candles near the Christmas tree or as tree decorations.

• If your tree becomes dry and starts shedding needles you should remove it from the house. Don't take the risk!

• Check that your artificial tree is made from flame resistant materials.

• Lights should never be used on artificial trees with metal frames.

• All tree ornaments should be flame resistant.

For any more information got to www.Fire.org.nz or contact Ponsonby Fire Station on T: 09 376 3558. F PN

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

177

HOROSCOPES: MISS PEARL NECLIS

What your stars hold for December ♐ Sagittarius (the Archer): 23 November - 22 December

Be prepared to take control of your budget this month because you can’t keep ignoring what’s staring you in the face. Trying to work out where your money is going now will eventually lead to you having more to play with in the future.

♑ Capricorn (the Goat): 23 December - 20 January

You have been working really hard lately and you’re beginning to get oversensitive when friends or family mention this to you. Is it guilt that is making you work so hard, if so, try and work out what’s worrying you.

♊

Gemini (the Twins): 22 May - 21 June You have had the freedom to make your own choices for a very long time now but this might be viewed by others as a luxury, rather than a given right. You may need to show a little self-discipline in order to prove that you have grown and changed.

♋

Cancer (the Crab): 22 June - 22 July Your constant battle with your need to maintain balance in your world is always hampered by those closest to you, your caring and compassionate nature feels like it’s being taken for a ride. There is no simple yes or no in your life, it always feels like there is an ulterior motive.

♌

You’re very good at keeping an eye on what goes on around you and you should always trust your instincts. However, there really is no need to worry about everything as some things are simply out of your control.

Leo (the Lion): 23 July - 21 August Your way with words and gestures can sometimes be taken the wrong way and your ability to offer something with one hand and not expect anything in return is a good asset to have, providing you communicate your intentions. You still need to get these moods sorted though before you start your summer break.

♓ Pisces (the Fish): 20 February - 20 March

♍ Virgo (the Virgin): 22 August - 23 September

♈ Aries (the Ram): 21 March - 20 April

♎ Libra (the Scales): 24 September - 23 October

♒ Aquarius (the Water Carrier): 21 January - 19 February

You can often show great compassion for someone else, which often leaves you without.

Everything you have been through recently will allow you the insight and experience to help others, but at what cost to you?

You have been making a few promises recently that you may not have been able to keep; this may be because of your willingness to please. You want to help even if you know you’re unable to, rein it in a little and then you won’t be disappointed.

♉ Taurus (the Bull): 21 April - 21 May

You don’t need to do anything out of the ordinary in order to impress anyone. You need to treat this month like any other and just get on with it, otherwise you might find yourself missing the details - and then you’ll be stressed.

You take risks often and occasionally you get results but you need to start learning from your mistakes. Maybe you should get rid of any distractions in your life and just focus on one or two goals, you may learn a valuable lesson.

Just focus on you and your family over the next month or so, as they may be feeling a little neglected with the long hours you put in at work. Remember to take care of your basic needs without any distractions; you’ll be thanked for it.

♏

Scorpio (the Scorpion): 24 October - 22 November Getting anyone to understand where you’re coming from has always been a problem for you, you rely on your common sense to get you through any issues you have to deal with.

Maybe you should break down any problems you encounter and don’t rush the outcome maybe then you can get people to understand.

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 Sale St, 7 Sale Street

Planet Ayurveda, 41 Gillies Avenue Studio Italia, 96 Carlton Gore Road 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 & 2 Fish, 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

178 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

NORTH SHORE Rug Direct, Wairau Park Dawson’s Furniture, Mairangi Bay Nose To Tail Dog Wash, Albany

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 Barfoot & Thompson, 184 Ponsonby Road Fitness Trainer, 36 Jervois Road Harcourts, 89 Ponsonby Road Leys Institute, 20 St Mary’s Road The Longroom, 114 Ponsonby Road Mag Nation, 123 Ponsonby Road Ponsonby Community Centre, 20 Ponsonby Terrace Spa Ayurda, 213 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

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

179

180 PONSONBY NEWS+ December 2014

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)