PONSONBY NEWS - MAY'15

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MAY 2015

PONSONBY LITTLE BLACK BOOK - AN A-Z OF LOCAL EATERIES - P30 BLUE BREEZE INN WINS THREE AWARDS - P58; HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY - P44

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WHAT’S INSIDE THIS MONTH

26 Allendale House: The ornate Italianate villa on 50 Ponsonby Road was built in the 1890s for a prosperous saddler, George Allen reports Deirdre Roelants.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FROM THE EDITOR DAVID HARTNELL: ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW SHALE CHAMBERS: WAITEMATA LOCAL BOARD NIKKI KAYE: AUCKLAND CENTRAL MP JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS U3A PONSONBY MIKE LEE, COUNCILLOR FOR WAITEMATA & GULF LANDMARK BUILDINGS MOTHER’S DAY

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FASHION + STYLE A-Z OF LOCAL CAFES AND RESTAURANTS FINE WINES EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY THE VEG FRIENDLY CHALLENGE LAURAINE JACOBS: THE SEASONED PALATE PONSONBY NEWS READERS ARE EVERYWHERE HELENE RAVLICH: NATURAL BEAUTY ALI LAWRIE: PERSONALITY TYPES

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JOHN APPLETON ON HEALTH FUTURE GENERATION SIDELINE WITH GEORGE BERRY PONSONBY PEOPLE & THEIR PETS LOOK WHO IS IN THE ZOO HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS HEIDI PADAIN: ENTERTAINMENT IN YOUR GARDEN ARTS + CULTURE

LIVING, THINKING + BEING COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: Michael McClintock

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LETTERS + EMAILS Ponsonby News likened to Vogue Magazine From Zelda Gardner, a Johannesburg-based Getty photographer who travelled to Auckland to shoot for Team SCA: “Thank you for the link to the April issue of Ponsonby News. Awesome stuff! You guys are doing a great job with the local newspaper. Enjoyed reading it. Compared to our local, yours is like a Vogue magazine.”

ZELDA GARDNER, Johannesburg

Views in Ponsonby News reflect the authors’, and not those of Alchemy Media. www.twitter.com/Ponsonby_News Franklin Road Cycleway What an odd situation that a group of residents in Franklin Road are perfectly happy that I’m one of hundreds of cars an hour that drive down their road but when I choose to ride my bike in a proposed cycle lane then I’m unwelcome and I should chance my arm on College Hill.

Franklin Road residents should be delighted that the lights will be put underground and with the $10m spend creating a fantastic streetscape and of course the introduction of residents parking. With 115 houses this is almost $87,000 each, very fortunate.

Street signs Remember when we had blue street signs with large letters?

They were easily read but in the super city they are being replaced by green ones that are much harder to read. Remember also how we were told the super city would provide huge savings? Just how much does it cost to replace millions of signs? Where is this money coming from?

SALLY JAMES, Ponsonby

It’s indisputable that more people want to ride bikes for recreation and commuting but they require better cycling infrastructure. Auckland Transport is delivering on this need with a well thought out scheme that shouldn’t be cherry picked to suit a few residents prejudices. The cycle lanes will be a lot safer and will be well appreciated by the growing number of cyclists around Ponsonby. Thank you AT and stay the course Waitemata Board, Ponsonby cyclists appreciate it. BRUCE COPELAND, St Mary’s Bay

Pt Erin unofficial campsite On behalf of local residents, neighbours and dog walkers we wanted to bring the current state of the Pt Erin carpark to everyone’s attention.

For many years this has been a frequent stopover for people living in their cars and, more commonly, for the odd freedom camper. While such use may not strictly be permitted it has never really been a problem. The last year has seen these numbers steadily increasing until the last month or so when the entire carpark is consistently full of such campers, overnight and most of the day.

These people are living in the carpark, using all of its space, using the public toilets to live from - and because they take up so much of it and for so long, effectively precluding locals from parking there to walk their dogs, use the pool, the park or for children to use the playground. It is not a question of the campers arriving after dark and leaving before 9am - they are there in considerable numbers day and night. The photos were taken at 9.30am on a Wednesday morning.

Locals have tried to bring this to the attention of the Council over the last months who have verbally confirmed that camping in the carpark is not permitted, but who have constantly done nothing about it. The staff at Pt Erin pools have stated that they have also tried to get Council to do something but have been told it is an Auckland Transport carpark and therefore they can do nothing.

We are not trying to be a bunch of NIMBY’s but we feel that a public area has been hijacked for a purpose it was neither meant for nor is set up to deal with. The playground now appears largely unused and the whole place is consistently unkempt because of the large amounts of refuse being left there.

Name and address supplied but withheld on request FROM THE EDITOR: The Council has now put up “No Parking between 10pm and 6am” signs to try and discourage overnight stayers.

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May 2015

The labyrinth at Saint Columba Church Having always harboured a secret fascination toward undgerground labyrinths on the chance of meeting a passing minotaur, I was rather surprised last weekend when my husband suggested we visit the labyrinth at Saint Columba Church in Surrey Crescent.

He had read about it a recent issue of the Ponsonby News and he was keen to explore our local surrounds in search of some peaceful solace. It was raining, and apparently, according to him, that would make the experience all the more beautiful. He was right.

The labyrinth was a delight - not a maze but a sacred path with no dead ends. The rain only ampified its beauty.

I now thoroughly recommend the experience to my friends. The creation of sacred and thoughtful city spaces is an activity only be applauded - and appreciated.

Marion McGregor, Westmere Caring and helpful local community rescue Olaf!

Olaf, a pet rabbit, belonging to the Wenley family who live just off Jervois Road, went missing at the end of March. Thankfully, he turned up about 4km from home and having crossed many busy roads, this adventurous young man was no worse for wear after being found in Westmoreland Street, Grey Lynn. Sally Wenley would like to thank George, who found him, as well as locals for spreading the word about their missing bunny.

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Ponsonby Road stalwart Prego is judged ‘Best Renewal’.

While Japanese restaurant Cocoro takes out the ‘Best Drinks Service’ and ‘Best Smart Dining’ Restaurant awards. Congratulations to all our wonderful local restaurants for their efforts.

Mother’s Day is a great opportunity for us to spoil our mums. If mine was still with us she’d now be 86. This year, it falls on Sunday 10 May. Frocks on Bikes is running a ‘Mum’s Ride’ (for the more energetic mums) on the day, starting at 11am at The Shelter, 78 Mackelvie Street.

The Western Bays Community Group is delighted with the results of the final submission process for the development of 254 Ponsonby Road. The Waitemata community’s position on the importance of green space and the natural environment is reflected by the overwhelming endorsement of Option three, the whole of the site park, as their preferred option.

The submission process has also demonstrated a significant wider community interest in the site development. This interest is evidenced not only by the large number of submitters but most importantly by the huge proportion

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- 77% of all submitters - supporting Option three, the whole of the site park development.

In addition to the submission process, a petition asking the Waitemata Local Board to advocate for the whole of the site to be developed as a community park attracted over 1240 signatures and the Ponsonby Park Facebook page has 331 likes to date.

We congratulate the board for the resolution at their meeting last month that endorsed their community’s selection of this direction.

I spent eight years in London publishing two human resources magazines and have always taken Martin Leach, Jay Platt and Jo Barrett an interest in managing people. With As Ali says, “Typical of an Extraverted Sensing Type, effect from this issue, I am delighted Martin can spin a good yarn full of rich and descriptive to welcome new columnist, St Mary’s Bay resident detail, his past experiences brought to life in a warm Ali Lawrie. She is an expert at analysing different and engaging way. The fact that he identified most personality types. recently with the description of an ENFJ shows how he has successfully identified and risen to the challenge of Back in the 90s, my Myers-Briggs Type indicator had developing Extraverted Feeling and Introverted Intuition been identified as an ESTP (Extraverted Sensing that were not as evident in his younger days.”

Thinking Perceiving). After a few conversations with Ali and much sorting through different personality scenarios Next issue we cover home interiors and renovations, we concluded that the result gained at that time was sustainability and maintaining good health, focusing absolutely spot on. As I had matured, however, I was on eyes and teeth. Let us know if you would like to be utilising other facets of my personality that made me look included. Deadline is 20 May. (MARTIN LEACH) F PN like a different type today.

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photography: Jane @ Kloser

THIS ISSUE WE HAVE INCLUDED OUR PONSONBY Little Black Book, a listing of the 192 local cafes and restaurants in which 27 places are new. We are also delighted that Mark Wallbank and Che Barrington won three Metro awards last month - ‘Restaurateur of the Year’ (for MooChowChow, The Blue Breeze Inn and Woodpecker Hill), ‘Best New Restaurant’ (Woodpecker Hill) and the ‘People’s Choice’ Award for Metro Peugeot ‘Best Dish’ for their pork buns (The Blue Breeze Inn).

FROM THE EDITOR

DAVID HARTNELL’S: ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW Jade Daniels is a film, stage and TV actor who lives in Grey Lynn. His most recent work has been with Red Leap Theatre’s show ‘Sea’ and Taki Rua’s production of ‘Putorino Hill’.

What was your childhood like?

I grew up in the Hutt Valley and remember being off on adventures with my mates on our BMX’s or at the pools in Naenae. We’d hangout at the graveyard heaps and the river too, dubbing (carrying) each other everywhere on our bikes. We were little rat bag kids who got up to mischief!

Who’s the most annoying celebrity today?

That chick who was on ‘Food In a Minute’ was pretty annoying... what was her name, Lana? (hahaha love you Lana!)

Favourite TV series?

‘The Wire’ would be my all-time favourite but that’s finished now. So many great characters. Michael K. Williams who played Omar was the man - could be the toughest, most fearsome guy around and then show his vulnerability. He also played a gay guy in a pretty homophobic environment, so all of that in the mix was compelling.

Your advice to someone wanting to get into the acting?

Be true to yourself! Trust your instincts and be brave. Oh and learn your lines properly before auditions, that helps.

Your dream holiday?

I’ve got so many! But one would be trekking through Afghanistan, before the Soviets and all the other groups came and made trouble in that country. I would have loved to have seen the big Buddhist statues in Bamiyan before they were destroyed.

Give your teenaged self some advice?

Learn Maori and French! (I’d be fluent by now).

Clothing can’t you live without?

Not attached to any of my threads. But don’t really like going commando if I’m out and about (excuse the pun), so couldn’t be without underwear.

Dream home?

Semi rural, within walking distance to a great surf beach, simple in design - lots of wood, earthy colours, a deck, gets heaps of sunshine. Doesn’t have to be big, but big enough for friends and family to come stay. I’d be pretty stoked with that.

What are you insecure about?

Talking about my insecurities!

The best thing you brought back from an overseas trip?

Stories are the best things I’ve brought back. Some of the ‘worst’ experiences have made the best stories.

Perfect happiness?

Somewhere on a beach with loved ones - sunshine, swimming, food, laughs, singing, dancing, good talks into the night by a fire and then sleeping under the stars.

When people know you’re an actor, do they then ask you what do you do for a real job?

Yes, but it’s quite intriguing for people. The most common thing people ask is “so have you been on Shortland Street before?” So I’ve got to get a gig on shortie so I can say ‘well actually, yes, yes I have been’.”

Favourite hero of fiction?

Indiana Jones was pretty awesome, he had the best adventures.

The greatest love of your life?

So many loves in this world - whether it’s people, animals, theatre, rain, the sunrise, the ocean, avocados, ha. I’ve fallen in love with trees; I’m a total tree-hugger, proud! We’ve got incredible ones in Auckland. And if anyone hasn’t been to see the kauri trees up north in the Waipoua forest, get your butts there.

Any recurring dreams?

I’ve had some flying ones, they’re the best.

What do you disapprove of?

Bad manners and spitting. Those two really get my goat.

Your best holiday?

Probably meeting my Greek whanau for the first time on an island called Skyros. Eating (lots of eating), beaching, sunshine, exploring the local village, afternoon sleeps, Greek coffee and more eating. It was tough.

What’s your comfort food?

Mum’s scones - fresh out of the oven, big pot of tea, butter, jam, boom!

Last time you cried?

I watched ‘Blackfish’ recently (a doco about Orcas being raised in captivity and trained to do trick’s at Sea World). Pretty sad. Having animals in captivity generally isn’t the best idea us humans have come up with. That film definitely got me shedding a few.

A person you most admire?

My mum. Wahine To a!

Dream guest list for a dinner party?

Buddha, Jesus, the prophet Muhammad and Oprah Winfrey. I’ve got questions for them all!

Your opinion on today’s man?

Well, crikey, we’re a varied bunch; don’t know if I’d like to put us all in the same boat.

But I guess we could still do with communicating more, cooking more, cleaning more, drinking less. I’d like to think we’ve evolved but that might be debatable.

(DAVID HARTNELL) F PN

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Visit ponsonbynews.co.nz or email jay@ponsonbynews.co.nz for more information.

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SHALE CHAMBERS: WAITEMATA LOCAL BOARD REPORT Council documents are peppered with words like ‘empowered communities’, ‘flourishing communities’, ‘engaged communities’ ‘vibrant communities’ and ‘connected communities’.

But it is people, mostly volunteers, who make our communities empowered, flourish, thrive, engaged, vibrant and connected.

Waitemata Local Board wants to recognise community volunteers; its good citizens, young and old, individual or group, who give their time to help make our communities richer for their contributions, and is calling for nominations for its second bi-annual Good Citizens’ Awards.

We’re looking for your help to acknowledge those who work selflessly from the bottom up to get things done in our community that wouldn’t be done otherwise, to take up the very hard task to fund raise for projects, to look after the environment we live in and organise others to pitch in, to do all the research that help make wise decisions, to organise communications to make sure others know what’s going on. To serve as the members of committees in our schools, sporting clubs and service groups, to fight and help resolve those wrongs that inevitably occur in communities and cities, to have the passion to call our city governors to account, to make sure there is transparency in decision-making, to quietly achieve in our community, and to have awe-inspiring and farout ideas and a vision for a better future which are able to be turned into reality.

From the people who make up our community leaders amongst the many volunteer residents, business, community centre and heritage associations, to the many environmentally focused individuals and groups, to the special sector volunteers catering for the needs of a diverse community, to the Citizens Advice Bureau and MOTAT volunteers, to the children and young people who have shown special effort, to the unsung heroes who have long championed an idea or a cause; all who go to make the inner city communities special.

Our city and our community is the better for their endeavours, their determination and grit, their attention to detail, their advocacy, their positivism and their activism. They are the ones that when things almost seem lost they pull you back from the brink through sheer hard work.

They are the reliable ones who always turn up. Who play their part. Who are the glue that holds our community together. Who never ask for recognition. Who are our true heroes.

We all know someone like that. Waitemata Local Board is seeking your nominations in three categories for its Good Citizens’ Awards, with successful nominees recognised at an Auckland Town Hall ceremony on 17 June.

Nominations close 20 May 2015, with the awards criteria and nomination form available online at www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/waitemata.

Many will recall last year’s experience of Walking in Trees; the popular installation walk through Albert Park’s majestic Moreton Bay Fig tree, and the only recently departed intriguing artwork anchored by six beehives in Victoria Park; The Park. Both were two of last year’s inaugural POP programme of arts and culture activities and installations, initiated and funded by the Waitemata Local Board. The programme is intended to activate and showcase artists and art in urban spaces, be accessible and visible, and become self-sustaining over time.

This year’s programme has commenced, with Word POP, a series of posters featuring well-known artists’ lyrics and poetry in several sites around the city.

There are two sites in Ponsonby Road, with Ladi6 and Lorde engaging us with words.

There are five more projects in the series; POP Foolery; White Face Crew popping up in various locations to brighten up your day, also on now, and with POP Plinths, POP Percussion, POP Ping Pong and POP Portraits to come until this year’s series ends at the end of June.

PN For further details of the programme see www.pop.org.nz. (SHALE CHAMBERS) F

Contact me: shale.chambers@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

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POP Foolery in Victoria Park, Freemans Bay

BUYING GOODS OR SERVICES FROM SOMEONE VIA FACEBOOK Facebook can be a great way to keep up with what your friends and acquaintances have been getting up to. While you’re there, you could get some shopping done too.

“If you buy goods or services from someone via Facebook, then what your consumer rights are pretty much boils down to whether the seller is considered a professional trader or not,” says Margaret Antunovich of Citizens Advice Bureau Grey Lynn/Ponsonby Branch. “You’re covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act and the Fair Trading Act for goods or services sold by a trader, unless you bid for it in an auction. If the seller is not a trader then it’s classed as a private sale, which means you don’t have much protection.

In general, if someone is selling a lot of items online, then they are a trader. If you’re not sure about a particular Facebook seller, check out their Facebook page. If they seem to sell a lot of similar kinds of items, and have sold a lot of items in the past, then they are probably a trader rather than an individual just having a household clear-out.

Margaret Antunovich says there are things you can do to minimise your risk when considering buying from a private seller, for example if at all possible try to inspect the item before you hand over your money; ask the seller a lot of questions about the item so you know what to expect; look for feedback from past customers; for the expensive items (like a car) it would pay to check the Personal Property Securities Register in case it has been used as security for someone’s debt. Also, pay by credit card or, if it’s going to a New Zealand account, by Internet banking rather than by cash or telegraphic transfer so your payment can be tracked. Lastly, it makes good sense to get the full name and address of the seller in case the trade goes pear-shaped and you need to track them down.

“If you have a problem with something you’ve bought it’s always best to talk to the seller first. But if you haven’t been able to sort it out by talking to them, come and see us at 510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn. We’re open Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm and Saturdays 11am - 12.30pm. You could also phone us on T: 09 376 0392 or toll free on T: 0800 367 222, or send us an email cab.ponsonby@xtra.co.nz. We also have information about consumer rights on our website www.cab.org.nz.” F PN

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NIKKI KAYE: AUCKLAND CENTRAL MP

Enhancing conservation and marine protection in the Hauraki Gulf I recently visited Great Barrier Island to make a number of announcements with the Minister of Conservation. As the local MP for Great Barrier, I have long believed in the strength and resilience of the people on the island.

They have a great heart for helping others and getting things done. One example was the community olive press that I opened while I was there. The olive press is a small economic initiative aimed to help supplement local islander’s incomes and develop a self-sufficient olive oil industry.

During my time in Parliament I have always been committed to Bluegreen principles.

I believe environmental issues are too important to be left to the fringe of politics and should be a mainstream issue for all New Zealanders. I am of the belief that our environment and our national heritage - our soils and oceans and the imagery that surrounds our biodiversity and wilderness - hold the key to our nation’s future prosperity. Most Kiwis have a conservation gene and a natural desire to do the best we can to protect and enhance our environment.

Being the MP for Great Barrier has taken me on a practical journey with some of the locals to understand what an isolated community needs to create sustainable growth.

When I first became the MP, I opposed mining on Great Barrier Island because I did not believe the case stacked up from either an environmental or economic perspective.

Since then, the government has invested more than $1 million in telecommunications and the Auckland Council has made significant investments in local roads, the airport and the Community Arts Heritage Village. Infrastructure is crucial if we are to deliver an alternate vision for the island which sees eco-tourism flourish.

I was pleased to come full circle and attend the opening of the Aotea Conservation Park on Great Barrier. This is the largest Conservation Park in the Auckland area. The park, which covers about 43% of the land on the island, is a significant development for Great Barrier and will provide several cultural, economic and other opportunities for the island.

In September 2013, I put forward a proposal to establish the park and after significant consultation it was confirmed by the Government last July. Since then, the Department of Conservation has worked closely with the community and local iwi to achieve this significant development for the island, and I encourage you all to visit and experience a variety of plants and animals unique to Great Barrier.

Ministers Nikki Kaye and Nick Smith announced plans for the Aotea Conservation Park on Great Barrier last year representatives to try and ensure we can find a resolution to this so that the ports can continue to improve their productivity while not encroaching on our harbour.

I attended commemorations at Auckland Museum on Anzac Day, and was privileged to lay a wreath. This year marks 100 years since the landings at Gallipoli and we remember the New Zealand soldiers who lost their lives during that campaign. Anzac Day has been observed since 25 April 1916 and has become an important occasion to honour not only those who fought and died at Gallipoli, but all New Zealand soldiers who have served our PN country in times of war. (NIKKI KAYE) F Hon Nikki Kaye is the MP for Auckland Central. www.nikkikaye.co.nz

While on the island, the Hon Maggie Barry also announced that the Government is to contribute to the purchase of Glenfern Sanctuary. I have advocated strongly for the Government to assist in securing Glenfern. The Sanctuary is a critical part of the movement to achieve a pest-free Hauraki Gulf in the near future.

The Government will contribute funding as part of a consortium, including the Auckland Council, Great Barrier Local Board and private donors, and this will potentially enable public ownership of the sanctuary. Glenfern Sanctuary is the potential gateway to the extensive network of trails, tourism options, education opportunities and biodiversity on the island. It is essential that we secure the sanctuary and all it offers now and in the future.

My next mission is to continue to advance marine protection in the Hauraki Gulf.

The Hauraki Gulf is an incredibly precious natural asset to our country, and we as Aucklanders are so lucky to have it on our doorstep. Last year we committed to creating a new recreational fishing park in the Hauraki Gulf. The concept of recreational fishing parks in a new Marine Protected Areas Act is a first for New Zealand.

These areas will be reserved predominantly for recreational fishing and will enhance the opportunity for Aucklanders to catch fish in areas like the inner Hauraki Gulf. It is my intention to work with the community to create a suite of initiatives in some areas like Great Barrier Island and surrounding areas of Waiheke Island.

For those of you who have been following the developments proposed by the Ports of Auckland, I have had several meetings with the company management and also the Mayor. I reiterated to them my concerns regarding reclamation in the Harbour, and the wharf extensions. I believe we potentially have the best waterfront in the world and as one of the only major cities with a port on our waterfront; at some point we have to say the ports’ footprint is enough. I will be working with a number of groups and

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JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS

Serious Criticism levelled at Government over RMA changes The Resource Management Act is New Zealand’s main piece of legislation that sets out how we should manage our environment.

It came into force in October 1991 and was created to achieve a more co-ordinated, streamlined and comprehensive approach to environmental management.

which I have written in a recent Ponsonby News), the “quality of the environment”, and the “intrinsic value of ecosystems”.

The National Government plans to make a number of very controversial changes to the RMA, many of which, according to critics like Sir Geoffrey Palmer, “will significantly and seriously weaken the ability of the RMA to protect the natural environment and its recreational enjoyment by all New Zealanders”.

The author of this Act goes on to say that there is no evidence to demonstrate the need for these changes, and that they will only pave the way for weaker environmental outcomes. They represent he goes on to say “poor legislative design”.

Sir Geoffrey is not only a former Prime Minister of New Zealand, but was the author of the RMA, although it was passed by National in 1991.

According to the Green Party, National is making big changes to the RMA which cut across local democracy, put economic development ahead of the environment, make it more difficult for the public to have a say, and will allow ministers to interfere to promote their pet projects.

Ponsonby News spoke to Sir Geoffrey Palmer, a prominent Queens Counsel since his parliamentary career, and asked him what he perceived the problems are likely to be with the planned amendments.

Palmer referred us to several papers he has written on the matter. He broke the proposed amendments into two groups, the ‘process-oriented’ proposals, and the proposed changes to Part 2 of the Act, particularly sections 6 and 7.

To quote from Sir Geoffrey’s paper to Fish and Game New Zealand: “Many of the ‘process-oriented’ proposals will deliver improvements to the current processes... with limited impacts on environmental protection.”

But he went on to say, “The proposed changes to Part 2 will significantly and seriously undermine environmental protection under the RMA.” Among the changes which would reduce the level of legal protection for the natural environment Sir Geoffrey lists seven factors. These include a reduction in the relative importance placed on environmental protection principles and increasing the relative importance placed on development principles.

In colloquial, and perhaps exaggerated, words this means turning the Resource Management Act into a Resource Development Act. Sir Geoffrey is also very critical of the desire to delete reference to the “ethics of stewardship”, “amenity values” (on

No commentator, environmental or political, could have more credibility in relation to this Act of Parliament than Sir Geoffrey Palmer. As other commentators have stated, there is no evidence that New Zealanders want urban sprawl or loss of the natural character of the coast or want environmental matters downgraded.

There are suggestions that the Government is seeking to make it easier for developers, including oil and gas exploration companies, to develop instead of protect our natural heritage. There are even suggestions in the draft proposals that would allow land owners to virtually do what they like to their own private property. In the interests of future generations, that would be morally repugnant.

The Government has been concerned to secure a parliamentary majority to support this controversial legislation. Winston Peters win in the Northland by-election has deprived them of one vote, making it just a bit more difficult to cobble together a majority. Of course the political toadies ACT and United Future will tow the line. It just may be that the key to stopping this surge towards undesirable development may rest with Peters.

It’s never easy to know which way he might jump. So far, the Maori Party has said it is opposed to many of the proposed changes, but they have cosied up to National and may capitulate.

Make a submission to Government if you care about our natural environment, and lobby your local MP. I believe there is political ideology about these proposed amendments. National is hiding behind suggestions that it is about curbing bureaucracy and producing more affordable housing.

Leaving the last word to Sir Geoffrey Palmer who could never be categorised as an emotional tree hugger, or rabid environmentalist, but is a highly respected jurist of international standing as well as the original author of the RMA, “The proposed changes are a step backwards for environmental protection in New Zealand.”

PN (JOHN ELLIOTT) F

POPE FRANCIS ARRIVED IN PONSONBY JUST BEFORE EASTER And what's more, he's staying!

The Catholic parish of Sacred Heart, at the Ponsonby Road end of Vermont Street, decided recently that its street front info board was pretty dreary; who better to provide a facelift but the smiling, welcoming Pope Francis, as seen on the large colour poster in front of the church?

Locals, as well as parishioners have given the poster the thumbs up, says parish priest Father Robert Steele. F PN

ANY PAGE IN PONSONBY NEWS IS A GOOD PLACE TO BE SEEN

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JOHN ELLIOTT: LOCAL NEWS

Bureaucracies move in mysterious ways Auckland Transport met with Grey Lynn Business owners, residents and customers at the second of two meetings at the Surrey Hotel.

At the first meeting called by local business people, led by Lucia Rodrigues from Grey Lynn Butchers, about 60 people complained bitterly at the way Auckland Transport was ignoring their concerns.

If it’s true, and no one disputes it, that many Grey Lynn customers come by car, what can be done to improve short term parking? One suggestion was to allocate parking permits to locals to dissuade commuters parking in Grey Lynn and then riding by bus just one stage into the city.

Subsequently AT met with the Grey Lynn Business Association and a representative of the Waitemata Local Board, but did not invite Lucia or other main complainants. This caused considerable angst, if not anger.

I would suggest that there are three main types of consultation. The first is token and virtually presents a fait accomplis.

And so AT pulled out all the PR stops and sent half a dozen Auckland Transport reps to the second public meeting. I was invited to chair both meetings.

The second is real consultation, but with little notice actually taken of it. The experts know best.

Prior to the meeting Lucia and I were subjected to considerable smooching and spin from AT officers. I had a half hour conversation with Karen Hay, AT Safety Officer, and then prior to the meeting Lucia and I met with Karen Hay again and Priscilla Steel, Political Relationship Manager for Auckland Transport. These two were utterly courteous and apologetic for earlier lack of consultation and omissions, particularly for leaving Lucia out of discussions earlier in the week. But to be blunt it was full on political spin.

The third type of consultation is real and genuine, where people are listened to and real changes result.

Did it go to our heads? No it didn’t. Did it fool us? No it did not. Was it sincere? We hope so. At least there was acknowledgement that AT had taken Grey Lynn’s concerns far too lightly, and much better consultation was necessary.

Even their board member and our local Auckland Councillor, Mike Lee, was exasperated with them.

And so what of the second meeting? Auckland Transport fronted, in numbers, and presented an amended proposal. This had few significant changes to their original plans, but at least they were genuinely consulting. Or we hope they were!

They offered meeting attendees the chance to ask questions and a robust but polite discussion followed. Locals were far from totally satisfied, but AT asked people to write in with further comments and criticism. Real consultation seemed alive and well at last.

Auckland Transport promised further surveys to verify bus passenger numbers, and surveys by business owners was recommended to ascertain from where and how, customers came, to patronise Grey Lynn businesses. Statistics were thrown around at the meeting. AT claimed that nearly 8000 passengers alighted or boarded outside Grey Lynn Butchers every month. Business owners scoffed at these figures, but also produced figures of their own which were questioned by AT.

I think the Grey Lynn business precinct is at the second stage of consultation, but hopefully moving towards the third.

There is parking, but it is difficult and dangerous to access. One local told Ponsonby News that she drove down the narrow driveway behind the shops on the Countdown side only to hurriedly drive out again, after witnessing a young man urinating in the driveway at the back of a shop.

Landlords must come to the party as well as AT, and holistic decisions must be made not just about bus stops and parking but about the whole future viability of this well loved, but under threat, little community.

So progress has been made. What are the next steps? Auckland Transport is inviting more consultation. They have promised more calming measures in Grey Lynn, and officers will conduct more far-ranging surveys.

Let’s hope they will stick to this commitment, and not impose unwanted changes around the Great North Road shopping precinct.

Dragged kicking and screaming to the consultation table maybe, but hopefully for a wellresearched and satisfactory outcome. Ponsonby News congratulates Lucia Rodrigues and her business associates. We admire the way she has taken on the behemoth that is Auckland Transport.

PN Grey Lynn’s Erin Brockovich. (JOHN ELLIOTT) F

INTRODUCING THE NEW CRV 2WD Honda New Zealand is pleased to announce a new addition to the 2015 CRV line-up, the 2WD S. The 2WD S is a high spec model for an entry level price, and features enhanced technology, handling and design.

Advanced technology in the 2WD S includes a Lane-watch camera, front and rear parking sensors, three angle reverse camera with dynamic parking-aid, emergency stop signal, intelligent auto wipers and auto headlights, intelligent auto dimming rear view mirror, smart proximity key with push button start and all-new touch screen display audio.

The exterior is accented with roof rails, integrated LED DRLS, sporty new bumpers with lower skid plate garnish, Honda ‘Wing’ sports mesh front grille, and 17 inch alloys.

The interior features a new centre console design, increased chrome detailing, larger touch screen, new seat design, and new fabric and stitching, The 2WD S also offers the full range of 2015 colours. The 2015 CRV 2WD S pricing: $38, 900 + ORC. F PN

16 PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2015

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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LOCAL NEWS CHANGES AT GREY LYNN COMMUNITY CENTRE In the two years Ann Dew worked in the office at the Grey Lynn Community Centre she quickly endeared herself to everyone she worked with and to the many community centre users she met.

“With her warm and friendly personality, not to mention her formidable skills as financial administrator for the centre, she will be sorely missed as she leaves for a new life in Rotorua,” says community centre manager Cath Bathe-Taylor.

“Prior to working with us Ann had worked in the corporate world, but it was a desire to give back to the community that brought her here and over her time with us she has made a big contribution to our role in the community.”

Kerry Innes, Cath Bathe-Taylor and Ann Dew

Following Ann’s departure there’s a friendly new face in the office. Kerry Innes, who has a long history of working with not for profit organisations, has taken over Ann’s part-time financial administrator role.

Kerry says that he enjoys working in community based organisations, “It’s great to meet people and to have the opportunity to make a positive impact in a local community,” he said.

As well as working at the community centre, he will continue his part time role for Macular Degeneration NZ, an education and awareness trust for patients and health professionals.

Kerry joins Cath Bathe-Taylor and Anne Snedden, who has worked part time in the community centre office for the past 14 years. As well as her office position, Anne volunteered for six years at Citizens Advice located in the centre. She is a volunteer for the NZ Bird Rescue Charitable Trust at Green Bay. She says the trust appreciates the donation of newspapers by Grey Lynn residents. The newspaper is used to line bird cages and a collection box is located just inside the door at the community centre.

The after hours team at the community centre are governance committee chairman Peter Klein and treasurer Ken Stead.

“May was to have been the month of the Big Bird Project,” says Cath. “However, unforeseen circumstances have meant it has to be delayed.” Cath has been working with well-known claymation artist and teacher Guy Capper to come up with an idea, involving the community, to produce a large permanent artwork for the community centre. She says that it is hoped to get the project underway again soon.

PONSONBY U3A: APRIL 2015 Keeping our brains and our bodies fit and active is important for a good retirement - and it can also be a lot of fun as members of Ponsonby U3A will attest.

A recent Antiques and Collectibles special interest group paraded hats and scarves from their ‘collections’ and an entertaining few hours were spent as members discussed their choices and modelled them. Ponsonby U3A has 14 special interest groups meeting monthly, or more often, covering a wide range of topics and pursuits from gardening to classical studies. A new special interest group is U3A Garnet Station Tiny Theatre supporters. The Tiny Theatre offers one or two performances each month and U3A supporters attend as a group enjoying a meal at the cafe beforehand. April’s programme included live music, a women’s poetry production and a play. “We appreciate being able to attend top quality performances in this intimate theatre right here in our neighbourhood,” says group convenor Marianne Willison.

The special interest groups are Antiques and Collectables, Armchair Travellers, Art History, Classical Studies, Current Events, Dining Out, Gallery Visits, Garnet Station Tiny Theatre Supporters, Green Fingers Music Appreciation, New Zealand History, Petanque, Ramblers and Scrabble. The groups meet mostly in members’ homes.

Ponsonby U3A meets monthly, on the second Friday morning of the month, at the Leys Institute. There are two speakers at each meeting - a guest speaker and a ten-minute speaker from within U3A. April’s guest speaker was Ros Currie, volunteer manager at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. She introduced the museum’s new winter special interest tours for groups of New Zealand seniors. She outlined the choice of ten different tours, led by specially trained volunteers on winter weekday afternoons (except for school holidays) from May to September. Groups can range from four to 12 attendees and each tour lasts for 45 minutes, which can be extended to coffee and question time in the museum cafe. The tours cost $10 per person (excluding coffee or tea). Ros also spoke about other roles of volunteers, numbering nearly 300, slightly more than the number of staff at the museum, and also gave a brief history of the museum since its beginnings in 1852.

The ten-minute speaker, Janet Grabner, entitled her talk ‘An interesting experience’ and gave a fascinating account of her first overseas trip, to China, in 1976, which she said changed her life. She and her husband were booked on a 25-person tour, but only seven took the trip because of a recent earthquake in China as well as the belief that Chairman Mao’s death was imminent. Tourism into China was in its infancy and Janet talked of the tour party being followed by large numbers of people who had not seen foreigners before. Whichever city or area they visited a local expert would join the group to answer questions. On the last day of the tour Chairman Mao did in fact die and Janet described the scenes of grief on the streets.

Guests and visitors are welcome to attend all U3A meetings. Guest speaker for the May meeting will be Jill Goldson, director of Family Matters Centre, Westmere. She will talk about the reforms in current Family Court policy and how they impact on families going through transition. The 10-minute speaker will be Dianne Speed, ‘Sailing the World’.

PN (PHILIPPA TAIT) F NEXT MEETING: ENQUIRIES:

9.45am, Friday 8 May, First Floor, Leys Institute, St Marys Road Annie Webster, President, Ponsonby U3A. T: 09 376 2902

The annual Jam on Toast Day featured many of the wide range of groups that regularly use the community centre. It was a great success, with local families enjoying the displays and atmosphere.

A source of much interest was the burlesque dancing. Burlesque classes are just one of the myriad of classes on offer at the centre. On the day, Grey Lynn Kids’ Playgroup leader James Doyle kept the smallest people busy creating paper decorations.

As always, the April school holiday programme offered a busy and adventure-filled fortnight for over 40 primary school age youngsters. The holiday programme is a firm favourite with PN local families and is run by highly skilled supervisors and volunteers. (PHILIPPA TAIT) F GREY LYNN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 510 Richmond Road, T: 09 378 4908 www.greylynn.org.nz

18 PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2015

Hats and scarves were the topic at Ponsonby U3A’s recent Antiques and Collectibles interest group meeting. L to R: Dianne Speed, Shona McElroy, Douglas Williamson, Janet Williamson, Jane Jones and Annie Webster.

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MIKE LEE: COUNCILLOR FOR WAITEMATA & GULF

Harbour, Port and Waterfront - Auckland Council out of its depth Despite the Mayor and council chief executive’s belated warnings, the Ports of Auckland appears to be pushing ahead with the $22m first stage of extending the Bledisloe container terminal nearly 100 metres out into the harbour. Thumbing its nose at its legal shareholder and the people of Auckland.

The public interest group Urban Auckland is taking the port company to court (all power to them) but the case won’t be heard for weeks. Meanwhile an unprecedented collision appears inevitable.

& Thompson) to a ‘lighthouse’. Presumably this is an attempt to give the artwork some sort of maritime context. Ok, that’s not a crime in itself, but what I find objectionable is to have council officers assert in a public meeting that the artwork never was a ‘state house’.

What has become clear over the last year is that the Auckland Council leadership, both elected and appointed, is out of its depth when it comes to dealing with Auckland’s port, harbour and waterfront. In the case of the Ports of Auckland reclamation, the council has lurched erratically from ‘nod-nod, wink-wink’ to talking about a ‘thermo-nuclear’ response. In fact Auckland Council has been guilty of sending mixed messages to the port company - conniving in issuing resource consents and keeping those consents secret for weeks, despite the obvious public interest - until their existence was leaked to the media by a ‘waterfront source’.

There was some irony here, as just before that particular meeting, one councillor colleague, a supporter of the ‘state house’, circulated a gushy piece from Metro that praised the yet-to-be artwork in fulsome terms. Sample: “First, let’s get the definition right. This isn’t a state house. It’s a sculpture, based on the form of a state house.

Parekowhai’s work won’t provide anyone with shelter, but it will have profound metaphorical force, as a reminder of a time when we managed to marry massive national wealth to progressive social values.” And so on.

The port company is obviously assuming the council’s tough talk is just for public consumption. In some ways there is a sense of inevitability about this latest crisis. The council leadership has been almost desperate to be ‘business friendly’ and this attitude is reflected down the chain of command.

But the sketches of the proposed sculpture never looked like a ‘state house’ and even less so a ‘light house’. Moreover lighthouses are not located inside ports, or on wharves but on exposed capes and islands as a warning and signpost to ships at sea. But my concern here is not to bag the artwork or the artist, or indeed his admirers. It’s not about that.

This is especially noticeable when it comes to the issuing of resource consents, of which only around 1% are publicly-notified in Auckland. As we have seen, it is this more than anything else that is really generating public anger at the council. While this has been going on all over the Auckland region, it largely passes unnoticed (the exception being the council’s non-notified consent to cut down a mature kauri in an area ostensibly protected by the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act). But anything related to the harbour or waterfront is a deeply sensitive matter to Aucklanders.

The latest example of this is the Barfoot & Thompson $1.5m ‘state house’ sculpture, to be subsidised by ratepayers up to half a million, and intended to be plonked on a prime spot at the end of Queens Wharf. While this creation is deemed to be ‘public art’, the council and its ‘public arts’ officers are responding to public concerns exactly like the Ports of Auckland - by ignoring them. They too are pushing ahead in the face of public opposition.

Instead of listening, again like the Ports of Auckland, the council is engaging in a spin campaign, changing the name of the proposed artwork from a ‘state house’ (a somewhat counter-intuitive reference to its sponsor, the real estate corporate Barfoot

As the elected representative of Waitemata and Gulf and the former ARC chairman who led the acquisition of Queens Wharf to open it up for the public, my concern is to see that the public’s concerns and aspirations for the waterfront and the harbour are respected.

Given the council has chosen so far to ignore the public opposition to the ‘state house/ lighthouse’, it should at least ensure that the resource consent for the erection of this edifice on Queens Wharf is publicly notified - as indeed it should be under the Regional Plan (Coastal).

This would provide the opportunity for the public to have its say on whether it should go there, or somewhere else. But instead Auckland Council and Waterfront Auckland (the CCO allotted the task of delivering the artwork) are once again seeking to cut the public out of the legal process. No wonder there is rising anger at the arrogance of Auckland Council and its unlovely ‘family’ of CCOs. This is not how a democratic society is meant to work. Auckland deserves better than this.

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

Queens Wharf protest

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RACHAEL TE AOTONGA: LEYS INSTITUTE LIBRARY NEWS Enjoy the autumn weather with a lovely pile of great reads from the library.

If you are looking for ideas for new things to read I suggest you pop into the library and pick up the booklet for the Auckland Writers Festival 13-17 May. Lots of interesting authors from New Zealand, and around the world, will be at the festival. Notable authors include Tim Winton, David Walliams, Nalini Singh, Haruki Murakami, Anthony Horowitz and David Mitchell. Be prepared!

Get their books from the library and decide who you would like to see in the festival or just read their back catalogue.

Leys Institute Library book club If you would like to chat about books in a smaller group come to our book club. The Leys Institute Library book club meets every fourth Wednesday of the month in the downstairs reading room.

We are a friendly and informal group who enjoy all sorts of books. We discuss a range of new fiction and nonfiction over a cup of coffee and a biscuit. This is not one of those book clubs where everyone has to read the same book and answer a list of set questions! We are much more relaxed than that! You will leave with a list of interesting things to read and maybe some new friends.

Our next meeting is 10-11am Wednesday 27 May. Parlez-vous français mon ami? French conversation at Leys Institute Library Every Monday from 12-1pm the French conversation group meets in the downstairs reading room of the Leys Institute Library.

The French conversation group is for people with some knowledge of French who are interested in practising conversational French with an informal and friendly group of likeminded people. Interested? Just turn up at 12 noon on a Monday and join the conversation. There is no charge for this group.

The above images are indicative only

Did you know we also have a collection of French, Spanish, German and Italian books available to all customers? The collection includes children’s books, fiction and nonfiction titles.

SEEING IS BELIEVING - WYNYARD QUARTER DISPLAY SUITE OPEN

New Zealand Music Month New Zealand Music Month in May is a 31-day nationwide celebration of homegrown talent and the diversity of our unique musical culture.

Aucklanders can now get the opportunity to experience the city’s most exclusive waterfront residential development.

Throughout May, we’ll be celebrating our music with displays of New Zealand music books, CDs and DVDs and some exciting events: Beginner ukulele sessions Wednesday 6 May, 3.30-4.30pm Wednesday 20 May, 3.30-4.30pm Come and enjoy a ukulele session learning the basics. Suitable for ages 8 and up. We have a limited number of ukuleles so please RSVP, or feel free to bring your own if you have one.

Music music everywhere storytime and craft making activity Saturday 9 May, 10.40am -12.00 Friday 15 May, 10.30am -12.00 Come along and enjoy a music themed storytime and music craft making activity.

Leys Institute Library afterschool activity/maker club The library will be starting a free afterschool activity/maker club for children aged 7 and up.

The club will start on Wednesday 13 May from 3.30-5.00pm, and will run fortnightly on Wednesdays. (RACHAEL TE AOTONGA) F PN LEYS INSTITUTE, 20 St Marys Road, T: 09 374 1315 www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz

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With the opening of its new display suite, Willis Bond & Co is unveiling details of the highquality inner city homes which will be built on prime waterfront land.

Willis Bond has an exceptional track record for high-quality residential developments in Auckland and Wellington. Wynyard Quarter itself is a landmark project in many ways, not least for its waterfront location, but also the quality of the development.

It graces a location unsurpassed in terms of neighbourhood amenity and proximity to the harbour and the CBD - a perfect solution for those looking to downsize or lock up and leave.

The variety of residences and buildings are connected to the wider neighbourhood through lanes, thoroughfares and open public spaces. The ownership structure involves a 128 year prepaid leasehold included in the purchase price, meaning owners pay no ground rent during that period.

First to market are 132 Halsey and the first stage of Wynyard Central. 132 Halsey comprises 51 generously proportioned luxury apartments, offering dual aspects and views overlooking the Viaduct Harbour.

Wynyard Central is a vibrant and high quality precinct, with the first stage comprising 113 apartments and townhouses, individually designed to suit different lifestyles.

Both projects are the first of their type and scale in New Zealand to target a seven home star rating for sustainability and energy efficiency.

Register online for an appointment at the display suite to see what it will be like to live in Wynyard Quarter: www.wynyardcentral.co.nz or www.132halsey.co.nz F PN PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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DEIRDRE THURSTON: ON MY MIND...

JACINDA ARDERN: LABOUR LIST MP AUCKLAND

“I don’t like cricket, oh no, I love it...”

Budget season minus the surplus

The only things I’ve liked about cricket up until now are the 10CC lyric in ‘Dreadlock Holiday’, and the old saying: “That’s not cricket.”

Budget season is upon us once again. As with any budget, there is a certain amount of expectation about the Government’s plans for New Zealand.

It tickles my fancy as does “What larks, Pip.” Not that I sprinkle either of them into daily conversation lest my friends doze off.

I know you’d expect to hear this from an opposition politician but so far it genuinely does feel like a missed opportunity.

Cricket has never bowled me over (sorry) and if someone mentions underarm I picture shaving and deodorant. At the tender age of 16, when I knew everything, I had an older boyfriend who played cricket so I did feign interest for five minutes before suddenly having to wash my hair.

After much hype, it’s now become clear that the Government will fail to reach surplus this year. Given that the National Government have spent the last two election campaigns and seven years promising that they’d ensure a surplus in 2015, it does beg the question as to what other targets will be missed.

My son played club cricket in primary school for a year or two. Excuses, on my part, became desperately feeble each Saturday trying to wriggle out of sideline cheering-on duty. The washing hair thing didn’t cut it with my son, him being much brighter than the old boyfriend.

Don’t get me wrong - not all targets are born equal, but there were at least a few issues I’d hope we’d see addressed, including inequality, education, housing and employment just to name a few.

My husband and I would sit in our foldout chairs on the sideline reading the New Zealand Herald, sipping warm, plastic-flavoured bottled water, clapping appropriately and praying for a downpour.

For instance, last budget we were talking about some worrying statistics - that inequality was growing and not enough New Zealander’s were getting pay increases. There has still been a failure to address this. Unemployment hasn’t dropped to the levels that this Government inherited, and in Auckland we have to acknowledge that regional New Zealand has been pretty neglected.

One fine day after a particularly long and tedious game our boy ambled over to us and stated: “I never want to play cricket again. Ever. Sorry.”

If our aim is a surplus, people need to feel like it’s genuinely reaching and benefiting them and that’s just not the case right now.

My head swivelled towards his dad who, I noticed, appeared to be auditioning for a toothpaste commercial. I jumped up and down waving my arms in the air like a lunatic and shouted: “Yes!”

Over the last few weeks, the Government has made several pre-budget announcements, including $244 million to new schools. However, this is a pretty stock standard function of government in areas where the population has increased - hard to feel too excited about that.

Oh, what a happy family we were that afternoon. So thrilled in fact that a huge dollop of the impending mortgage payment was spent on a tennis racket, shoes and anything else even vaguely tennis that our son wanted for his new choice of sport. One we loved to bits. Clearly family communication would need a kick in the backside.

That was years ago and I can honestly say cricket hasn’t featured in my life at all since then. Until lately.

Recently, one night, I slipped into my new, 1200-thread count, Egyptian cotton sheets - bliss - and drifted off. A minute later the bang and boom of fireworks rent the air.

Hopping up, I looked out my window and there, shooting from the Sky Tower, all manner of reds, greens and golds illuminated the night sky.

“Why on earth?” I puzzled. “Maybe Kate’s had her baby?”

“Perhaps Len Brown’s had a sensible epiphany over the Ports of Auckland?”

“Has the Ministry for Primary Industries heeded my advice and listened out for Aussie accents in Grey Lynn’s gardens and finally eradicated the fruit fly?”

Fireworks silenced, I headed back to my new sheets and dreamland (asses-milk baths, enormous diamonds...). Checking out Facebook in the morning, there it was: Squillions of people having litters of kittens (and quite probably chest pain): We had won the Cricket World Cup Semi-final.

Had the education announcement included some decent resolution around the Western Springs College rebuild and you might have heard a bit more celebration in these parts.

Parents, teachers and students deserve more than what the Ministry of Education has given them so far on this project. If we’re going to venture into a rebuild, and we must, it should be future-proofed and done properly.

There’s another group in our education system who continue to miss out. Over the last two years, the Government has neglected children with special needs by withholding more than $32 million in funding of special education programmes. This has forced schools and communities to pick up the pieces. If there is one area of education that can least afford to be ignored and poorly resourced, it’s this one.

You couldn’t write a budget column without mentioning the housing crisis. It’s bad enough that the lack of supply is yet to be addressed, the Prime Minister still hasn’t even admitted that a crisis exists. No political party can afford to put its head in the sand on this one. It’s time to start building, and fast.

On May 21, as the Government reads the budget, I do genuinely hope we’ll see a little more on these key areas. After all, budgets have always been about more than numbers, PN they should be about hope too. (JACINDA ARDERN) F JACINDA ARDERN, Labour List MP based in Auckland Central. www.jacinda.co.nz

It took all of a few second’s read for me to reel giddily with excitement and patriotism and even shed a tear over the pic of our Grant Elliott giving a handup off the ground to defeated South African player Dale Steyn. Very cool. I love us Kiwis.

So crickety have I become, I even considered flying to the MCG to watch the final but decided against it. My medical insurance is only valid in New Zealand and I was convinced I’d need treatment - win or lose.

It’s all over now and cricket has taken on new meaning for me. We may have lost that last game but, more importantly, our team won the hearts of our nation over and over again with their impeccable behavior and ‘Kiwi-ness’. If only they’d reinstate wearing whites.

(DEIRDRE THURSTON) F PN

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DEIRDRE ROELANTS: LOCAL NEWS

Allendale House The ornate Italianate villa on 50 Ponsonby Road was built in the 1890s for a prosperous saddler, George Allen.

It’s now rated 1 for heritage protection by the Historic Places Trust and B by Auckland City Council. With its distinctive turret it afforded the owner a splendid view of Western Park and Freemans Bay right across to the harbour. The elaborate wrought iron work on the verandahs and fences make for a prominent landmark on Ponsonby’s streetscape and the two storied mansion is one of the area’s most admired buildings.

today. The wooden building at the back was built about the same time. It consisted of stables downstairs and a hay loft upstairs. The loft was accessed from the stables by a ladder and a trapdoor through which fodder was tossed down to the horses. It’s probable the four trees on the property were planted about that time and are now listed for preservation with the Auckland City Council.

When Captain Hobson negotiated with Maori to purchase 3000 acres on the isthmus in order to establish a capital, Auckland came into existence. The land was divided into sections one of which formed Grey Lynn, Ponsonby and Herne Bay. These were then cut up into allotments and one of them was bought by a surveyor, John Kelly. The land covered 15.58 hectares but within six weeks he sold it for the same price to John Montefore, a founder of the Auckland Savings Bank, who also bought six neighbouring allotments. All this land was sold to Messrs James Williamson and Thomas Crummer which they farmed for over 40 years as the Surrey Hills Farm Estate. Eventually they sold out to the Auckland Agricultural Co which then subdivided it into residential lots.

Although Mr Allen owned the house for 10 years, but after living there for the first year, let it out to a number of tenants including a Miss M. Long who ran it as a boarding house. After moving to Sydney he sold it to a fancygoods importer who then sold it eight months later to a Mr Hendy for only £250 who leased the building to various tenants over succeeding years, among them Dr Leslie Drury who lived and practised in the house, eventually buying it after Mrs Hendy died. Allendale House has weathered many lives over its long years. In turn it has been used as a private residence, boarding house, doctor’s rooms, private hospital, a hostel for Maori girls, a refuge for alcoholic men and a top-class restaurant.

In 1890 a solicitor bought three of these lots for £1280 and two of them form the present property of 809sq.m which was bought by George Allen on 10 February 1891 for £463/2/6. He built the present house as a townhouse in the same year and called it Allendale.

The ASB Community Trusts bought Allendale House in 1989, which links back to an original connection, the ASB’s original founding member, Mr Montefore. The numerous indignities inflicted on the house throughout the years had to be rectified. Salmon Reed Architects were brought on board to upgrade the historic building as well as commissioning a seismic survey, while ensuring many of the heritage details were preserved. This involved raising ceilings that had been lowered, reinstatement of original spaces, selecting an appropriate colour scheme, to say nothing of replacing the roof, spouting and strengthening the chimneys. The outcome is a gift to Ponsonby’s streetscape for which the trust, now named Foundation North, should be applauded.

PN (DEIRDRE ROELANTS) F

Prominent architect, Mr Mahoney designed the corner bay villa which was typical of many Victorian houses built on street corner sections, with two bay windows facing the two respective streets. Its construction combined plastered brick with wooden floors and a slate roof. The turret was a common feature of corner bay villas and in the present house it includes an observation room. The ornate wrought iron work on the verandahs and fence was a typical feature of Victorian houses and looked very much as it does

WESTERN PARK DEVELOPMENT PLAN CONSULTATION EXTENDED Western Park is part of the heart and lungs of Ponsonby. It is also one of Auckland’s original and most loved parks.

So it comes as no surprise that there has been a lot of interest in the draft Western Park Development Plan.

The public consultation was expected to run for the duration of April but has now been extended until Thursday 14 May to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to review the draft plan and provide well-considered feedback.

The purpose of the draft Western Park Development Plan is to provide clear guidelines on how the park should be improved over the short, medium and longer term. Not all

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of the initiatives in the plan will happen all at once, they may be put into place when budget is available or when assets need replacing. The draft plan is a large document, covering many and varied aspects of the park. We encourage you to read it and submit a completed feedback form before the deadline of 14 May 2015.

Printed copies of the plan and feedback forms are available at Studio 1 Toi Tuat 1 Ponsonby Road and online at www.shapeauckland.co.nz PN (VERNON TAVA, WAITEMATA LOCAL BOARD) F

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LOCAL NEWS AUCKLAND SET TO POP WITH INTERACTIVE ART

254 PONSONBY ROAD – AKA PONSONBY PARK - IS A STEP CLOSER

Auckland’s streets, parks and buildings have become a little more interactive - with a series of exciting participatory arts projects set to ‘POP’ up all over the city.

The Western Bays Community Group is delighted with the results of the final submission process for the development of 254 Ponsonby Road.

People from all walks of life, from city workers to students, new migrants and visitors will have a chance to ‘play’ and interact with POP-up installations and spontaneous street performances.

The Waitemata community’s position on the importance of green space and the natural environment is reflected by the overwhelming endorsement of option three, the whole of the site park, as their preferred option.

“The cityscape will really come to life in a new and exciting way from now until June with all the activities we have planned,” says Shale Chambers, chair of the Waitemata Local Board. “I can’t reveal too much more at the moment as we are hoping to catch people by surprise, but my advice for Aucklanders is to keep your eyes open during the next few months. Anything can POP up anywhere near you, from street art to poetry, music and theatre. So watch out, Auckland!”

The submission process has also demonstrated a significant wider community interest in the development of the site. This interest is evidenced not only by the large number of submitters but most importantly by the huge proportion - 77% of all submitters - supporting option three, the whole of the site park development.

Auckland Council’s POP art initiatives, supported by the Waitemata Local Board, was initially launched last year and driven by the idea of presenting the city in a new way, using creativity and innovation to engage people.

There are six POP projects happening until June across various public sites in inner city suburbs ranging from Auckland’s waterfront to street corners and supermarkets.

Aucklanders can expect to see everything from poetry and lyrics by famous New Zealanders to a POP-up outdoor ping-pong table, impromptu music concerts and theatrical performances at street corners, and interactive sculptures. F PN

In addition to the submission process, a petition asking the Waitemata Local Board to advocate for the whole of the site to be developed as a community park attracted over 1240 signatures and the ‘Ponsonby Park’ Facebook page has 331 ‘likes’ to date.

With such an explicit and convincing result from the significant engagement undertaken by the Waitemata Local Board with their community, they had a very clear mandate to endorse this result and push on with the option three development.

We congratulate the board for the resolution at their meeting on Tuesday 14 April that endorsed their community’s selection of this direction.

As Chair, Shale Chambers has earlier stated: “The Waitemata Local Board will be guided by the results of the submission process and will advocate on behalf of the community for the necessary funds to realise the development of the preferred park option.”

We now know this preferred option is option three - the whole of the site park.

Funding The Western Bays Community Group looks forward to working with the local board and assisting with this next stage of the process by finding creative and innovative ways to help fund the park.

The budget was always going to need work and this is even more necessary now that the monies that were available for the park development have been ‘deferred’ by Auckland Council and are no longer available.

White Face Crew street performers at the Great North Road shops in Grey Lynn

However, we are not intimidated by the need to step up. In terms of planning for development in this city, it is important to explore any and all options that will enable progress. Specifically, we believe public/private collaboration could be a viable option that together we should explore further.

The Waitemata Local Board could not delay any further action until the funds were identified. Without both a clear goal, that the submission process has delivered, and a draft budget being created, the funds cannot be advocated for. To wait and do nothing would waste the considerable effort and consultation monies already spent.

In conclusion, we congratulate and commend the Waitemata Local Board for enabling their community’s voice to be so clearly heard on this issue and for consulting with an open mind.

The Greek proverb Jolisa Gracewood quoted in defence of the Pohutukawa Six (at the Auckland Transport Board meeting) is even more relevant for the park development at 254 Ponsonby Road: “A society grows great when wise men and women plant trees whose shade they know PN they will never sit in.” (JENNIFER WARD) F

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HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY - 10 MAY WISHING ALL MUMS A VERY HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! In celebration we have our most popular Wahine Aroha Healing Candle that comes with a gift throughout May (medium or large candle purchases).

This year we have some beautiful olive wood solid hearts to gift with every wahine candle during the month of May. Wahine candles are poured under the full moon each month and have the most exotic, feminine aromatic scent. Infused with dark orchids, vanilla and peach and steeped with pounamu (New Zealand greenstone), the wahine candle is a beautifully decadent candle emanating sacred feminine energy.

We also celebrate our 12th Aroha Healing Sacred Feminine Retreat 19-25 June 2015.

A perfect gift of learning and time for healing with knowledge, dance, yoga, friendship and plenty of good healthy vegetarian food! We have very limited spaces left for this retreat.

Would you like to feel more grounded, balanced and sensual whilst connecting with like-minded women wanting to feel the same?

Practitioners at Aroha Healing are passionate and skilled at healing, educating and empowering women. The team have found that many women have become masters at giving. Giving of their energy, love, everything, leaving very little energy and time for their own self nurturing, healing, time out and receiving of love.

Women can often feel guilty about doing just that. Aside from their amazing healing and massage work, Aroha Healing have designed a nature workshop that reawakens and reignites the goddess within.

Rosanna will be teaching a fusion of two ancient spiritual modalities designed to empower, heal and free the feminine form. One of our Aroha Healing yoga teachers will offer a morning sacred yoga class for participants.

During the Sacred Feminine workshop you will learn ancient tantric philosophy; chakras, mudra, body awareness, sisterhood, honouring, healing yoga and simple beautiful bellydance movements including rituals that reflect the tantric philosophies.

You will be immersed in the beauty of nature, peace and be treated to delicious vegetarian food, sauna and an outdoor spa. This workshop is for every woman; age, size or shape wishing to awaken and learn the sacred, ancient secrets of feminine vitality, movement and expression.

With her background in presenting, bodywork, healing, bellydance and tantra philosophies, Rosanna Marks will be facilitating her Sacred Feminine workshop at Aio Wira retreat centre near Bethels beach beginning on Friday evening 19 June - Sunday afternoon 21 June. (ROSANNA MARKS) F PN AROHA HEALING, 3 Maidstone Street, T: 0800 646 326 www.arohahealing.co.nz www.arohahealingcandles.co.nz info@arohahealing.co.nz

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HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY - 10 MAY PASSING THE BATON AT OCCHIALI WHEN RENATA AND FRASER WATENE WERE APPROACHED by the former owners of Occhiali Ponsonby to buy the well-known and well-loved store, they were both humbled and thrilled.

Ponsonby has been part of the heritage of both Renata and Fraser since early childhood. Both of them spent many years of their early lives, playing in the local backyards and sports fields of the area.

“There have only ever been three owners of Occhiali Ponsonby,” says Renata, the primary optometrist. The legacy dates back to 1953. Now it is our responsibility to carry the baton forward.

“We both grew up here and I lived here while I studied at the University of Auckland. The chance to return is a dream come true - and it will be a great experience for our children. We want them to learn about their Maori culture and heritage.”

“Three Lamps Ponsonby has always been a community within a community and we love it here. In fact, the first thing we did when we got back, after five years away, was to visit all the new Ponsonby cafes and restaurants that had popped up in the time that we were away.”

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Practising optometry is another passion for Renata and she takes time to get to know her clients’ needs.

“At Occhiali we treat everybody as an individual.

Lifestyle and hobbies are something we take into account during our assessment.

“Only the other day, we had a consultation with the very first patient of the very first optometrist (Ernie Calvert) who worked here. We are respectful of the tradition that we are upholding. It is a responsibility and privilege that we intend to carry on into future decades.”

“It is all about the service. That is what makes us different - high end products and top quality service. That is what Occhiali is about.” F PN OCCHIALI OPTOMETRISTS LIMITED, 303 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, T: 09 376 3073 www.occhiali.co.nz

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HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY - 10 MAY THE GEMSTONE FOR MAY Donna Mills, owner of Jewels and Gems introduces us to the qualities of rhodonite.

The information comes mainly from the scientifically conducted trials of German stone specialist Michael Gienger. Rhodonite is one of the lesser known zodiac stones recommended for May birthdays.

An opaque, beautiful, strong pink stone with small black patches and veins running through it. It is named from the Greek word rhodon, which means rose.

This is the queen of stones for self love; the deep, calm, self love we need when weathering the slings and arrows of life. And thus it helps us learn from life and mature spiritually, because when we are grumbling about others, it often stems from unhappiness or lack of peace within ourselves. In this way, rhodonite helps bring forgiveness, overcome emotional pain and be able to talk about what is preying on our mind, which supports mutual understanding and helps to solve conflicts in a constructive way. This strengthens friendships and relationships, especially where there has been strife or mistrust.

Rhodonite helps us to trust again, including people who have been hurting each other for some time. It can even liberate us from really deep mental anguish, festering anger and persistent annoyance. Those dug in feelings which can be so hard to shift and constantly rear up to override the happiness in our lives. Rhodonite doesn’t only deal with past damage done, it can also dissolve shock, fear, confusion and panic, making it an excellent ‘rescue’ or ‘first aid’ stone if if you have it on hand to grab straight away.

It also helps us to remain clear and conscious in challenging situations, when we are threatened, in danger or under great pressure. It helps us understand that revenge has a mainly self-destructive effect and makes it easier to deal calmly with provocation or insults and to remain level-headed in all our actions. Rhodonite helps us see the meaning in or gain from difficult experiences, showing the way out of seemingly hopeless situations.

Physically, rhodonite is the best wound-healing stone of all. Injuries like small cuts, will heal in a few minutes if you press a moistened piece of rhodonite onto the area and apply pressure on it for 5 or 10 minutes. Therefore it is good to clean or disinfect a wound where necessary if using rhodonite, so that the dirt is out before the wound heals over. It will also help heal deeper wounds, rid toxins from tissue (insect stings) and prevent scar tissue forming. It can help heal internal injuries, stomach ulcers, operations, bruising, sprains, wrenched and torn muscles. It strengthens the heart and circulation and encourages fertility in both sexes.

Wear rhodonite over your heart for emotional healing and keep a piece in your bag, car or medicine box for use as a rescue remedy. Great for children and pets. F PN JEWELS AND GEMS, 54 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 4389, www.jewelsandgems.co.nz

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HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY - 10 MAY PERFECT GIFTS FOR MUM AT ECOSTORE Don’t forget Mother’s Day! 10 May 2015 1. Keep Cup set eco cup and lip balm $39.99 2. The Healthy Skin Kit

by Ecostore is full of goodness with no nasty chemicals. Only $24.99 limited offer available now in store.

1

3. $50 Bundle

2

3

ANY PAGE IN PONSONBY NEWS IS A GOOD PLACE TO BE SEEN

ECOSTORE, 1 Scotland Street, Freemans Bay www.ecostoredirect.co.nz www.ecostore.co.nz

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HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY - 10 MAY MOTHER’S DAY: RIPE RECOMMENDS Mother’s Day is upon us, and nothing says love better than a handmade gift form the heart.

Ripe’s Seedy Salted Chocolate Bark is the perfect way to say ‘I love you’ - a delicious homemade treat for mum. The kids can make it themselves and they can personalise it for their mum by adding her favourite ingredients.

Seedy Salted Chocolate Bark (gluten free)- (Recipe from the Ripe Recipe Box) ½ cup pumpkin seeds, toasted ¼ cup sesame seeds, toasted ½ cup raisins (a mix of golden and black) 60g apricots, finely sliced 1 tbsp chia seeds Zest of 1 lemon A pinch of salt 500g dark chocolate (minimum 60% cocoa), chopped Grease and line a large baking tray.

In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients except the chocolate.

Melt the chocolate in in a double boiler over a low heat.

Pour the melted chocolate onto the tray, spread out evenly into a thin layer.

Sprinkle the mix over the melted chocolate. Using the palm of your hand lightly push the seed mix into the chocolate. Place in the freezer to set. F PN RIPE DELI, 172 Richmond Road, T: 09 360 6159 www.ripedeli.co.nz

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FASHION + STYLE CARLY HARRIS KEEPING IT FEMININE A mainstay of Ponsonby fashion for 17 years, Carly Harris is known for feminine designs, draped with colour and print - flattering to every form.

Her flagship store on Ponsonby Road displays bias cuts, cowl necks and classic wrap dresses which have been a feature of her expansive range from the start. Her original designs are made up from an eclectic array of gorgeous fabrics.

New styles have evolved from early prototypes and the range has expanded to include larger sizes (12 -24) all available in Ponsonby, the Wellington store and online.

The current range of dresses, pants, tops and jackets is a celebration of Carly’s signature style. The featured Hayworth dress, of a bygone starlet era, and the silk shift of Mad Men chic are certain head-turners, scallop pants are teamed with draping tops or printed tees. Looks are finished off with ruffle, drop-sleeve, kimono and swing.

Carly is now offering customised alterations, on selected designs to suit individual needs, or for bridesmaids. Also new in store, is the introduction of one-off, hand-painted lengths of silk. The colour ways of these pieces may be personalised to suit. They may be either bought as fabric lengths or be made into one of Carly's designs.

Visit the store now at 269 Ponsonby Road and see online: www.carlyharris.com F PN CARLY HARRIS, 269 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, T: 09 376 4699 www.carlyharris.com

DESIGNER SALE - DRESS FOR SUCCESS Gorgeous clothes, great times and a wonderful evening with friends are what’s in store this 4 June at the Sapphire Room, Ponsonby Central at the Dress for Success Auckland Great Designer Sale.

It’s a chance for dressing up and celebrating great designer fashion, but also about supporting women for whom fashion is a privilege out of reach.

Dress for Success Auckland changes the reality for these women by providing support and clothing to help them build confidence and secure employment. Each year, this non -government funded organisation opens its doors to around 1500 women, providing a unique wrap-around service of interview attire and career support to help empower women seeking employment.

The Great Designer Sale will guarantee a good time with drinks and nibbles, as well as amazing new and pre-loved New Zealand and international designer garments from Dress for Success Auckland’s surplus donations. These items will be at incredible bargain prices and all profits will go to the charity to help support women in their journey to employment.

Dress for Success Auckland has strong relationships with many New Zealand designers such as Andrea Moore, Adrienne Winkelmann and Kathryn Wilson who are supporters of the charity, which plays a big role in raising funds and awareness.

The charity believes that nearly every woman empowered by employment represents a family helped towards financial independence, ultimately leading to thriving communities.

Make a date with your girlfriends for this fabulous event and get something special to PN ease the winter blues, while supporting a great cause. F DRESS FOR SUCCESS AUCKLAND www.dressforsuccessauckland.org.nz

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FASHION + STYLE THE ART OF ROMANCE Diamonds On Richmond have been bringing romance to Grey Lynn since 2008; initially by private appointment from a villa, then moving to a private commercial space.

They are now opening a boutique store at 98 Richmond Road from the beginning of May. Brother and sister team, Michael and Michelle, have been looking after their clients privately for seven years now, designing engagement rings and wedding bands. As their business has grown, many of their clients have been coming back wanting to buy gifts for birthdays, anniversaries and baby arrivals, so Michael and Michelle decided it was time to expand!

Brother and sister team, Michelle and Michael

With an extensive range of engagement and wedding rings, Karen Walker Fine Jewellery and Diamond Collection, and gifts at all price points, the new store will be a one-stop shop for guys who are wanting a romantic proposal or that perfect gift, and for all women who love beautiful jewellery!

“Within the space we still have our private consultation room so we can continue to look after all of our clients who want a more discrete service while custom-making their jewellery,” says Michelle.

“Our main focus is to create a warm welcoming environment for all of our clients and to be able to cater to all of their needs. We offer a full exchange on all of our jewellery, a life time guarantee on the manufacture of all our pieces, and we only sell conflict-free diamonds.”

The new Diamonds On Richmond store will be open 7 days from Monday 4 May at 98 Richmond Road (next to Trelise Cooper Outlet Store). F PN DIAMONDS ON RICHMOND, 98 Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn T: 09 376 9045 www.diamondsonrichmond.co.nz

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FASHION + STYLE RETAIL SUPERSTAR Thomasin Bollinger, iko iko

How did you come to be a retail salesperson?

I started with a small market stall with a friend over 20 years ago. I had three young children and was looking for something creatively satisfying.

What brought you to iko iko?

After a couple of years of having a market stall, we felt confident to open our own shop.

The first iko iko opened in 1994 on Cuba Street in Wellington.

CHIC CAPSULE: MARTINI & JAM Introducing Martini & Jam, a capsule collection from designer Yvonne Bennetti and personal style advisor Nikki Gapes.

Built around the knowledge of what women want but can’t always find, Martini & Jam offers easy to wear staples with a contemporary street edge and an affordable price tag.

Key pieces include leather-look track pants, the Paris blazer, Alexia boot and the duo’s take on fashion’s must-have - the trench.

What do you love about your store?

I love that iko iko isn’t defined by what we sell - we sell a bit of everything from everywhere so there is something for everyone.

Cool, functional and ultra wearable, Martini & Jam is luxurious streetwear with a little bit of attitude. Pieces range from $250 - $550 and are available at Yvonne Bennetti stores. F PN

What makes a standout retail salesperson?

As a mother and now a grandmother, I am very conscious of making sure it’s easy for parents to shop. In iko iko we direct kids to the areas of the shop where they can touch products freely. This makes it a much less stressful for everyone.

MARTINI & JAM, Yvonne Bennetti, 24 Jervois Road T: 09 361 2388 www.yvonnebennetti.co.nz

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

With over 20 years in retail there have been so many, but my most memorable sale ever was a few years back. Iko iko has always had lots of interesting customers from hobbits to musicians but when Susan Sarandon walked in, I was star struck! But she put me at ease with her down to earth nature - no make up or flash clothes, just very friendly and interested in New Zealand. I have kept the receipt with her signature on it.

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

Would be nice to meet Susan Sarandon again! But actually, I would choose Mwelu the master weaver from MaKa Emali in Kenya, whose beautiful baskets we are the exclusive outlet for in New Zealand.

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

John Campbell - a wonderful New Zealander. He makes me feel proud to be a Kiwi.

Where do you shop/enjoy shopping?

There’s no better strip than Ponsonby Road for fashion, food and the vibe.

Name someone you think is a great Ponsonby store...

Orphan’s Kitchen is my favourite eating place, and one of the reasons I love it is the great staff who explain exactly what all the elements are in each dish you order - amazing (it tastes really good too!) F PN iko iko, 53 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 358 0220, www.ikoiko.co.nz

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FASHION + STYLE JULIETTE HOGAN LAUNCHES LUGGAGE Fashion designer Juliette Hogan has launched a four-piece luxury luggage line.

Succinctly named 'Jh Luggage,’ the line consists of a 36 Hour bag ($649), Garment bag ($689), classic Tote ($429) and Purse ($59). All are crafted from Nu Buck leather and finished with matte black hardware.

Each piece is designed to work back with the set or be used individually.

The luggage line will be stocked exclusively through Juliette Hogan stores from May. F PN JULIETTE HOGAN, 170 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 9347 www.juliettehogan.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.

VERMONT STREET, PONSONBY 15 MAY 1925

Dear Enid,

The covers of all the magazines she’s sent are gloriously eye-catching!

Especially ‘The Queen’, ‘The Lady’ and ‘Elite Styles’.

The cover of the journal I’m reading today - ‘The Ladies’ Field’ - is no exception. It’s a little similar in style and in size to our ‘Mirror’. This issue sports a marigold orange cover with a coloured sketch of an outfit that would do very well in Auckland. The blouse is loose and straight cut with a very wide-bound neckline, loose flared sleeves and a contrasting sash to secure it loosely at the hips. It looks very good with the slightly flared skirt that is made up of plain and vertically embroidered panels, the plain fabric matching the binding on the blouse. Already - without even opening the cover - I have an idea to make this up for my sample collection for spring. What a wonderful way to make the most of some of my loveliest Swiss embroidered cottons! I estimate that I’ll be able to make two outfits from the amount usually taken for one ensemble and I do believe that the contrasting panels creates a much more striking effect!

Here’s a novel idea! There is a picture of a severely correct skirt that is modelled on the exact lines of an officer’s kilt! It is so perfectly tailored and so extremely smart that I’m sure that it will be a most acceptable addition to the wardrobes of especially my taller ladies. When Mother goes to Edinburgh I might ask her to visit Rentons (who make these marvels) and perhaps purchase one so that I can study the structure.

That is unless you know of any Highland officers willing to divest themselves of their kilt for a few days!

I suspect that Mother didn’t envisage the enthusiasm for her trip that these journals are inspiring in me! I have already cabled her with an idea for my birthday present - a weatherproof coat in a wonderful cinnamon colour by a London company called Aquascutum. Have you heard of it? I’m not sure if they are stocked in Auckland, as I’ve never really thought of owning such an item. However, the advertisement in the Ladies’ Field has been wondering how I possibly got on without one! It is of a generous flared shape with deep armholes, tapered sleeves, lovely wide lapels, deep pockets with flaps and three pairs of buttons. It will be perfect for walking and excursions during Auckland’s variable spring and autumn days. I included my measurements in my last cable to Mother to assist her if she decides to take my hint!

A very curious advertisement titled ‘India, Egypt, Palestine, etc’ has me very intrigued indeed. It is for a business simply named ‘Lilla’ which apparently specializes in outfits for travel, especially to the East. The advertisement states that Lilla have staff who have personal experience of tropical climates. I have an idea to write to them for a catalogue which includes designs and patterns that they deem suitable for both Australia and New Zealand. Do you think this a bit cheeky of moi?

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With only one word and no illustrations, an advertisement for a business named ‘Vladimir’ conjures up the most delicious images doesn’t it! Then add ‘Paris’ and ‘Sale’ and ‘Worth’ and ‘Paquin’ and I can say that ‘Vladimir’ has certainly captured my attention! I really don’t think Mother should ‘pop in’ as she does - her heart isn’t terribly strong you know! I wonder if Vlad himself roams the showroom floor assisting the damsels who have ventured in, lured by the exotic promise of his name! I think I’ve been watching too many Rudolph Valentino films of late!

Most entertaining is a letter written by that scandalous novelist Elinor Glyn (have you read her?) to a friend, regarding the Spanish men that she has encountered while visiting noble friends in that country. My goodness they sound like cads! Give me my George any day - who needs smouldering looks and fiery passion?

I was very curious to read two pages devoted to the art of fly-fishing for salmon. It is something I have always wanted to try for myself and hope that I may be able to find the time in the spring. George’s father is an excellent tie-er of flies! Some of his ‘flies’ are so pretty I feel I could get away with wearing one as a brooch on a dainty blouse.

I should ask him if he would be interested in making some up for me to sell with my spring frocks.

I think I am as much enamoured with the sporting clothes worn for fishing as with the idea of pulling in a glistening flapping salmon for my supper! I am more a woolly jumper and thick skirt girl than the tweedy sports suit-adorned girls pictured in my magazine. I do love the heathery colours popular this winter, don’t you? I think a heather pink jumper with a mottled green tweed skirt would look gorgeous by the lakeside at Taupo. Of course one would also need a suede tam in nut brown to complete the ensemble. Luckily, a most becoming model called ‘Cecil’ is illustrated in my magazine. Mother has been directed to visit Jenners when she reaches Edinburgh to personally inspect and purchase ‘Cecil’ for me. It should look very well with my Aquascutum don’t you think?

Of course, being aimed at the upper classes, my magazine does not provide instructions for the most awful part of fishing - removing the hook from the poor fishy’s mouth. That’s because one of course has hired a ‘gillie’ to take care of the less picturesque parts of the sport. I wonder if George might be my ‘gillie’? He’s a bit squeamish too so I suspect not. Where is my Vladimir!

Oh gosh... I feel all shivery, as if I’ve overindulged on fudge. Too much inspiration! I think I’d better go and make myself a cup of tea. Then it’s back to work. I’m just about to finish hand rolling the hem of a whisper thin silk slip in sapphire blue which sits under the spidery cobweb black silk lace that I told you about in my last letter. Utterly divine but an utter nightmare to work with!

Until my next letter, Much love,

Maudie xx PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

illustration: Michael McClintock

Thank you for the sweetest postcard and all your news. As promised, I’m going to tell you all about the fabulous magazines that Mother has been sending me from abroad. I was truly astonished at receiving the first parcel.

Mother didn’t tell me she was going to do this and as you know, she is not the most thoughtful person (which I can say as her loving daughter!). Anyway I’m thrilled! Mother stated in her accompanying letter that her aunts (who live in Bath) have packed up a whole tea chest of old fashion magazines that they’ve been saving for me! They will be shipped back with Mother! Aren’t I just the luckiest girl in all of Ponsonby!

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2015

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FASHION + STYLE: JULIE ROULSTON

Gifts for fashionable mamas Here’s Ponsonby News’s take on a perfect Mother’s Day world: At luxurious price points, we suggest that partners could be the major financiers of gifts; just do it: no matter whether you think Mother’s Day is commercial nonsense or not - she does deserve it; always ask for an exchange card when selecting a personal gift; children should be wrangled to create their most beautiful artworks for homemade cards to accompany gifts; Mother’s Day gifts should be underwritten by a sleep-in and a full day off all household and maternal duties.

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42 PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2015

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FASHION + STYLE

WHERE TO BUY IN GREATER PONSONBY Blak Love @ Blak Chaos blakchaos.com Cathy Pope cathypope.co.nz Deadly Ponies deadlyponies.com Deborah Sweeney @ Goodness goodness.co.nz Ingrid Starnes ingridstarnes.com Julian Danger @ Goodness goodness.co.nz Karen Walker karenwalker.com Kathryn Wilson kathrynwilson.com Kester Black @ The Shelter theshelter.co.nz Liam @ Ruby rubynz.com Lovesick @ Blak Chaos blakchaos.com Meadowlark meadowlarkjewellery.com 15 14

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Deborah Sweeney scarf $339 Ingrid Starnes Body Cleanser $49 and Hydratant $99 Lovesick ‘Felix’ trainer $179 Meadowlark ‘Tubular’ bracelet $309 Blak Love ‘We Found Love’ sweater $169 Miss Wilson ‘Fyn’ boot $339 moochi merino reversible ‘whirl’ top $289.99 Willoughby Road vase with wooden base and succulent $129.95 and Kester Black nail polish $23.50

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

9. Cathy Pope ‘Red Chalcedony’ necklace $219 10. Kathryn Willson ‘Betty’ brogue $329 11. Liam ‘Gallery’ coat $499 12. Deadly Ponies ‘Mr Pom Pom’ $330 13. Julian Danger ‘Serena Shug’ scarf $205 14. Deadly Ponies ‘Mr Fox’ stole $320 15. Karen Walker Eyewear ‘Flowerpatch’ sunglasses $329

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2015

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PONSONBY LITTLE BLACK BOOK: A-Z CAFES + RESTAURANTS GUIDE Since we published our cafes and restaurants list last year, there have been 27 newcomers who have opened places in the Western Bays area. There are also some omissions, where some businesses have declined to be listed for whatever reason. We hope our guide gives readers some compelling reasons to try some of those listed... all that remains to be said is ENJOY! 5 LOAVES AND 2 FISH, 208 Jervois Road, T: 09 361 5820 5 Loaves and 2 Fish have an interesting brunch menu and a variety of cabinet food to eat in or take out. A wide range of healthy heat-and-eat convenience meals such as lasagne, smoked fish pies and chicken cacciatore are available. Open 7 days.

ALLPRESS COFFEE, 266 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 4726 www.allpressespresso.com Passionate about coffee? This is a must-visit store to experience exceptional tasting coffee. Enjoy a perfect cup of espresso or discover single origin coffees and blends as a filter brew. A selection of fresh roasted beans is available for brewing at home and biscotto, handcrafted European style biscuits, are baked on site.

ANDIAMO, 194 Jervois Road, T: 09 378 7811, www.andiamo.co.nz Andiamo head chef Scott Smith says the most popular dishes are the fresh buffalo mozzarella with vine tomato and basil and the hearty braised oxtail and caramelised onion rigatoni. In winter you can enjoy a glass of wine from their award-winning list by the open fire. Open 7 days and nights and brunch on the weekend from 9am.

ARCH HILL ESPRESSO, 333 Great North Road, T: 09 376 1401 Delicious pies, sandwiches and cakes made fresh everyday on site. Open Monday -Friday, 6.30am-2.30pm and Saturday, 7am-1pm.

BAMBINA, 268 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 4000 www.bambinaponsonby.co.nz Bambina is a casual, relaxed breakfast and lunch cafe where simple food, using only the freshest ingredients, has been served for over 18 years. Licensed for beer and wine, Bambina is an all-time favourite that consistently delivers and is a fabulous place to meet friends for coffee, breakfast or lunch. Monday-Friday, 6.30am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday, 7am-4pm.

BARKAT INDIAN, 572 Great North Road, T: 09 376 1600 www.barkatindian.co.nz Barkat Indian takeaway provides an authentic taste and variety of Indian food at a very affordable price. If you are wanting to try any Indian curries (veg or non veg/ all halal), biryani and starters such as samosa, chicken tikka, seekh kabab, fish pakora, veg pakora or tandoori chicken, Barkat is the best place for locals. They also do catering. Open 10.30am-10.30pm, Monday-Saturday, 4pm-10.30pm Sunday.

the all day breakfast, brunch and lunch. Try the Euro breakfast plate or the Big Kiwi breakfast. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 8am-4pm all year except Christmas Day. No surcharge on public holidays.

BLEND, The Shelter, 78 Mackelvie Street, T: 021 899 500 www.blendstore.co.nz Blend combines the best of local and global - bringing together great locally crafted coffee by SMITH, bicycles from tokyobike and beautiful urban bike and lifestyle accessories.

BOLLIWOOD, 110 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 6477, www.bolliwood.co.nz Bolliwood restaurant offers quality food achieved by employing five-star chefs from India. Check out their special set menus that include vegetarian banquet, the Maharaja Banquet and the Bolliwood Special Banquet. $10 mains on Monday,

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE FLAVOUR "Our mission in the kitchen at Bambina is simply to pair flavours. We don’t ever want things to get complicated."

Pete is a qualified chef, Sarah has a food styling and writing background and it's in their home kitchen where creations for the cafe begin. It is just a normal part of their home life; new ideas, testing, adjusting, fine tuning, eating - always fresh, crisp, healthy flavours, always the best produce.

Fresh crisp flavours are a constant at Bambina Ponsonby right through autumn and winter when a light but warming dressing can make a difference. Their salmon salad is finished with a zingy dressing of lime juice, soy and mirin. These flavours cut through the silky salmon fillet. Plenty of fresh ginger root and chilli give just the right amount of zing.

BAMBINA PONSONBY, 268 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 4000 www.bambinaponsonby.co.nz

BEDFORD SODA & LIQUOR, Ponsonby Central, 5 Richmond Road T: 09 378 7362 www.bedfordsodaliquor.co.nz Bedford Soda & Liquor is a New York-inspired neighbourhood bar named after Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Serving handmade sodas, cocktails, floats, shakes, meatballs and sundaes. Open 12 noon-12am, 7 days with an eclectic mix of DJs playing from 6pm Thursday-Saturday.

THE BIRDCAGE RESTAURANT & BAR, 133 Franklin Road, T: 09 280 1690 www.birdcage.co.nz The Birdcage has been returned to her former glory with stained glass windows and original brick walls blended with more modern elements to give it a chic, metropolitan vibe. The north-facing courtyard bar is one of the biggest and sunniest in Auckland, a perfect inner city destination to gather with friends. The food is rustic in style and they are open for lunch and dinner, 7 days a week.

Warm salmon salad with ginger, lime, chilli and rice noodles

BIRD ON A WIRE, 234 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 6369 www.birdonawire.co.nz Bird On A Wire is a fresh and simple free-range rotisserie chicken store. They offer chicken sandwiches and quarter, half or whole free-range rotisserie roasted chickens with a choice of bastes from Jamaican jerk, Korean bbq, salsa verde and truffle butter (the ‘Ponsy Coq’). Vegetarians are catered for with a grilled cheese sandwich, beer battered chips, roast vegetables and salads. Open 7 days, 10.30am-10.30pm.

BLAKE STREET CAFE, Corner Blake Street & Prosford Street T: 09 360 6261, www.blakestcafe.co.nz Relax, unwind and enjoy the ambience, wine and delicious food. The menu includes

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

BONA PIZZA, 286a Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 8866 www.bonapizzeria.co.nz With 16 years experience, owner Pedro Komai offers a taste of fine Italian pizza and pasta. Bona Pizza is fully licensed and BYO with a happy hour from 4.30pm every day - $5 beer and glass of wine. You can eat in or take advantage of their delivery service and they cater for private functions. Open 7 days.

BONITA, 242 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 5670, www.bonitabar.co.nz Bonita is a wine and tapas bar with an excellent wine list and cocktail credentials.

Bonita’s relaxed atmosphere is the perfect place for a casual drink or tapas indulgence. Happy hour runs from 4pm-6pm daily. Open 7 days, 4pm-late.

BOY AND BIRD, 222 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 361 3222 www.boyandbird.co.nz A fresh, vibrant eatery specialising in tasty and succulent free-range birds, along with extensive options for non-bird eaters! Dine in and enjoy something from the boutique drinks menu or choose to take home a delicious meal cooked from scratch.

BUNKER URBAN REFUGE CAFE, 8 Putiki Street, T: 027 542 1222 Set amidst an eclectic mix of galleries, car yards, industrial spaces, production, and animation studios. A clever container conversion to urban cool cafe. Get your morning coffee fix on the way to work or drop by for lunch and choose from a range of sandwiches, salads or a sweet treat.

BURGER BURGER, The Lane, Ponsonby Central, T: 09 360 8030 www.burgerburger.co.nz They make simple, honest burgers, serve old-fashioned shakes and really cold beers and bubbles. Open 7 days, 12 noon-late.

BURGERFUEL, 114 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 6466, www.burgerfuel.com The flagship BurgerFuel Ponsonby was the first store built and for over a decade

has been engineering the ultimate burger, built with the freshest ingredients. This includes gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options. Open Sunday-Thursday, 11am10pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-3am.

BURGER WISCONSIN, 168 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 1894 www.burgerwisconsin.co.nz Burger Wisconsin has been on Ponsonby Road for 25 years. The menu is regularly updated on their website and you can phone in your order for pick-up from 11.30am -late, 7 days a week.

BUTTERMILK CAFE, 210-218 Victoria Street, T: 09 369 1117 www.buttermilkcafe.co.nz Situated at Victoria Park Market this cafe offers a great modern warehouse space to sit and savour a great espresso or try some of the great menu items or a fabulous grilled sandwich. Open 7 days a week, Monday-Friday, 7am-3pm, Saturday-Sunday, 8am-3pm. Kitchen closes at 2.30pm each day.

BYZANTIUM CAFE, 80 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 3695 www.cafebyzantium.co.nz Byzantium is a friendly fully licensed cafe and restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. A private function room is also available. Open 7 days for breakfast and lunch and Tuesday-Sunday for dinner.

CAFE CEZANNE, 296 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 3338 For 36 years, Cafe Cezanne has been world-famous in Ponsonby for its full wall murals and yummy food and coffee at reasonable prices. Renowned for their healthy salads, they also offer a vegetarian menu, gluten-free options and a children’s menu and everything is available to take away. Fully licensed and BYO wine. Open Monday -Friday, 7am-late, Saturday-Sunday, 8am-late.

CAFE O, 34/332 Great North Road, T: 09 360 1860, www.cafeo.co.nz Eat, drink, relax and enjoy is the mantra at Cafe O. They serve Allpress coffee and Pacific Rim inspired food with lots of tropical and Asian flavours. Open 5 days, 8am3pm. Saturday, 9am-1pm. Closed Sundays.

HELL ON WHEELS Taking over HELL Grey Lynn in February this year has been a huge yet positive change for Marty and Kim Richards.

Marty decided to leave his career as a licensed builder to work in the fiery depths of HELL. For Marty working at HELL is a bit like history repeating itself.

“I used to deliver pizzas into the area 20 years ago when I worked for the Pizza Delivery Company based in Mt Albert. I worked this job as a driver while completing a BBUS Degree at AUT. I loved it then and I love it now! I’ve always enjoyed hospitality having worked in numerous five-star hotels on my travels.”

HELL is a New Zealand owned company and was founded in 1996 in Wellington. The Grey Lynn store was opened in August 2005 and hasn’t looked back.

The area has gone through an amazing transformation and the store has doubled in size over this time to cater for an amazing, loyal customer base which continues to grow. The store’s 10th birthday is coming up this year!

Marty says, “Grey Lynn is one of the busiest HELL stores in Auckland, employing over 20 staff and we don’t offer zero hour contracts! My main focus is to produce quality, mouth-watering pizzas delivered on time, every time. Customer service is where it’s at.”

Their menu offers a great variety of pizzas, many with gourmet toppings and they do a great job catering to vegetarians, vegans and customers with allergies.

They offer gluten-free bases and even have dairy-free cheese! There is a wide range of sides, salads and great deserts with the latest being a Killer Banana!

HELL GREY LYNN, 280 Richmond Road, T: 0800 666 111, www.hell.co.nz The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

Marty Richards DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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A-Z CAFES & RESTAURANTS GUIDE

Tuesday and Wednesday nights and $10 lunch special. Open 7 days, 11.30am -2.30pm and 5pm-late.

PONSONBY LITTLE BLACK BOOK: A-Z CAFES + RESTAURANTS GUIDE CAFE ON POMPALLIER, 2 Pompallier Terrace, T: 09 376 2003 An open an airy interior complete with a sun-drenched courtyard, this is a great spot for enjoying one of their all day breakfasts. You can also select from the selection of cabinet food, such as filled rolls, sandwiches, cakes and slices. Open Monday - Friday, 7am-4pm.

CAFE VIET, 2 Surrey Crescent, T: 09 378 8738, www.cafeviet.co.nz They offer authentic Vietnamese food with small plates and main plates to choose from the menu. Try the bang bang prawns or the fragrant and herbaceous pho - Vietnam’s national beef noodle soup. Open for lunch Wednesday-Saturday, 11.30am-2.30pm and dinner Tuesday-Sunday, 5.30pm-late.

CAKE & CO, 2/175 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 3479, www.cakeandco.co.nz Cake & Co focus on fresh and healthy ingredients for their cakes. They offer a good selection of gluten, dairy and egg-free cakes, with low sugar and non-refined sugar used where possible. Popular flavours are white chocolate and raspberry, ginger and lime, lemon curd, blackberry and dark chocolate, salty peanut caramel, hummingbird and lavender (amongst others!) They offer orders for corporate, weddings, birthdays, baby showers, etc. Try their beautiful organic BeSpa Tea and Kokako Coffee. Open Tuesday-Friday, 9am-4pm, Saturday, 9.30am-4pm, Sunday, 11am-4pm. Closed Mondays.

CASA DEL GELATO, 288 Ponsonby Road, T: 378 8457 www.casadelgelato.co.nz Based on the Sicilian style of gelato, they use only fresh milk and cream, and a majority of their natural flavours are gluten-free. They combine the finest ingredients sourced from Italy, with the best of New Zealand seasonal fresh and frozen fruits. Open Monday-Thursday, 12 noon-10pm, Friday-Saturday, 12 noon11pm, and Sunday, 12 noon-10pm.

CAFFETTERIA ALLPRESS, Corner Drake and Adelaide Streets T: 09 369 5842, www.allpressespresso.com Located within the roastery, Caffetteria is a neighbourhood hub where you can enjoy expertly prepared Allpress hot air-roasted coffee, their iconic Italian-style sandwiches and healthy smoothies. A selection of blends and single origin coffee is available for brewing fresh at home. A knowledgeable team is happy to help.

from Japan, spicy Korean-style fried chicken and crab, Chinese pork buns, HongKong cocktails and a smoking range of whiskies. All served with a wink and a smile

by Deputy Chang’s posse of cocksure cowboys. Open 7 days, 12 noon-late.

CLOONEY, 33 Sale Street, T: 09 358 1702, www.clooney.co.nz Fine dining here is an experience, an elegant and clever use of space in a large modern room with exceptional cuisine created by executive chef Des Harris. His food is sophisticated and expertly crafted with assertive flavours and simplicity. Open 7 nights, 5.30pm-late.

COCO’S CANTINA, 374-376 Karangahape Road, T: 09 300 7582 www.cocoscantina.co.nz This is a lively, busy, noisy bistro and bar bustling with energy. The food is best described as rustic Italian with influences from the Med and service is slick and skilful. No reservations required, but you can sit at the bar and enjoy a great wine or cocktail while you wait. Check out the new communal dining room. Open TuesdaySaturday, 5pm-late.

COCORO, 56a Brown Street, T: 09 360 0927, www.cocoro.co.nz Cocoro means ‘the heart and soul’ in Japanese and the food and service they provide comes with all their heart and soul. They serve Jun Mai pure rice sake and there is an emphasis on organic and biodynamic wines. They now offer a sushi and sashimi course. Reservations are taken for the degustation menu only, casual walk-ins are welcome. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 12 noon-2pm and 5.30pm-10pm.

COFFEE STATION, 38 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 8072 Coffee Station offer Supreme award-winning coffee beans in order to serve the best coffee to customers! There are plenty of yummy homemade goodies to suit everyone.

COLLEGE HILL CAFE, 25 College Hill, T: 09 309 0804 Open for breakfast and lunch, College Hill Cafe offers a wide variety of cabinet and made-to-order food. Their chicken laksa is really popular and they serve Burton coffee. Catering is also available. Open Monday-Friday, 7am-3.30pm.

CALUZZI BAR AND CABARET, 461 Karangahape Road, T: 357 0778 www.caluzzi.co.nz Legendary Caluzzi Bar and Cabaret is a perfect place for a fabulous night of colour and laughter. You will be entertained by some of Auckland’s best drag performers throughout the night. They offer an unforgettable dining experience, including drag queen cabaret show, dazzling costumes and delicious food. Open Friday and Saturday evenings.

CATROUX, 129 West End Road, T: 09 376 3590, www.catroux.co.nz Catroux offers a delicious seasonal brunch menu plus a cabinet full of tantalising salads and savouries. For the sweet tooth there is plenty of home-made baking (they also have an amazing online cake ordering system). They make fresh juices, green smoothies and serve Eighthirty coffee. There is a children’s sandpit and blackboard out the back. They also offer a catering menu. Open Monday-Friday, 6.45am-3.30pm, Saturday and Sunday, 7.30am-3.30pm. No reservations.

CHARLIE BOYS COFFEE BAR, 167 Great North Road, T: 09 376 4585 Delicious homemade cabinet food and baking all made on site. Available for functions.

Open Monday-Thursday, 7am-3.30pm and Friday 7am-3pm.

CHOP CHOP NOODLE HOUSE, Ponsonby Central, 140 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 0708, www.ponsonbychopchop.co.nz Home of fast, fresh and fantastic tasting Asian eats: steaming bowls of bbq ramen Cocoro’s Makoto Tokuyama and Ricky Lee

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photography: Michael McClintock

CHAPEL BAR & BISTRO, 147 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 4528 www.chapel.co.nz Now a Ponsonby institution, Chapel embodies the spirit of Auckland’s most iconic and sociable boulevard. It is the perfect place for drinks with friends after work, for dinner, a snack or a night out. Well worth the visit to sample delicious and very affordable fare such as the crispy Italian-style pizzas. Open Monday-Wednesday, 3pm-late and Thursday-Sunday, 12 noon-late.

CRAFT KITCHEN, 2 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 1962 www.craftkitchen.co.nz Serving up a variety of wholesome handmade goodies daily you can have cooked to order. Choose from the cabinet or from their range of paleo dishes and treats such as paleo baked donuts. Check out their Facebook page for regular updates of their scrumptious baked goods. Open 7 days, Monday-Friday 7am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday, 9am-3pm.

CREPES A GO GO, Ponsonby Central, 138 Ponsonby Road www.crepesagogo.co.nz Authentic French sweet crepes and savory galettes made from the best ingredients New Zealand has to offer: real chocolate, homemade caramel, freshly squeezed lemon juice, free-farmed ham, free-range eggs, organic buckwheat, sugar and dairy -free option. Takeaway or dine in, check the website for opening hours.

cafe menu. A perfect place for breakfast and lunch, there’s also a smart little wine list. Open 7 days, 7am-7pm.

DIDA’S WINE LOUNGE & TAPAS, 54 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 2813 www.didas.co.nz With a great wine list backed up by great wine knowledge, this smart wine lounge has a rich heritage in hospitality like no other. The superb selections of tapas are simply delicious and the monthly food and wine matches are exceptional. Open 7 days, 11.30am-late.

DILECTA, 549 Great North Road, T: 09 376 6682 Grey Lynn’s new bar and eatery boast modern Kiwi cuisine in a casual relaxed atmosphere. Previously the site of the old Mondial, owners Chris and Ann Maree have renovated the interior to a lighter deco-inspired dining space with more open flow to the rear courtyard. Open Wednesday-Sunday 5pm till late, and are now open for coffee, breakfast and lunch Saturday and Sunday from 8am.

DIZENGOFF, 256 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 0108 People will make a special trip from near and far to get their morning coffee at Dizengoff. They serve a Jewish inspired menu for breakfast and lunch and it is the place to go for a tasty meal with a difference. Open 7 days, 6.30am-5pm.

CRUMB, Corner Crummer Road and Ariki Street, www.crumb.co.nz Crumb is a relaxed and friendly corner store, doing the basics and doing them well.

It’s suited for a bite and a drink on the run or perfect for settling in and having a yarn. They’re here to bring the community and locals together on a beautiful corner in Grey Lynn. Open Tuesday-Friday, 7am-3pm. Saturday-Sunday, 8am-4pm.

EAST RESTAURANT, 171d Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 6085 www.east.co.nz A casual dine-in environment, the meals have a western spin on popular Asian cuisine and are served in a funky box. The menu covers cuisine from Japan in the north to Indonesia in the south. Dine-in, takeaway or have your food delivered. Open Monday -Friday, 11.30am-3pm and 4.30pm-10pm, Saturday-Sunday, 4.30pm-10pm.

DANTE’S PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA, Ponsonby Central, 136 Ponsonby Road T: 09 378 4443, www.dantespizzeria.co.nz Owner Kevin Morris and his team blend fresh ingredients imported straight from Italy to create award-winning pizzas. You eat this pizza folded over, like a New Yorker, portafoglio, which is Italian for ‘wallet’. The sour dough takes four days to prepare, is hand stretched and made to order. This means that the gluten in the dough has time to settle, and will not upset those with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance. The buffalo cheese is airfreighted from Italy.

EIGHTHIRTY COFFEE ROASTERS, Ponsonby Central, 4 Brown Street and 553 Karangahape Road, T: 09 551 3236 www.eighthirty.com They’re a little coffee roaster specialising in ethically sourced coffee be it Fairtrade organic or rain forest alliance. You can pop in for a takeaway coffee at either locations, the Ponsonby store is open Monday-Friday, 7.30am-4.30pm, Saturday and Sunday, 8.30am-4.30pm; The K’ Road store is open Monday-Friday, 7am-3.30pm.

DAZZLE CAFE, 304A Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 1188 Run by lovely, friendly staff, Dazzle Cafe offers fresh salads and sandwiches made daily. They also have an all-day breakfast menu and lunch menu, which ranges from their popular potato cakes to their sweet waffles or crepes. If you feel like something to warm you up try their Guinness pie or smoked fish pie. Fully licensed. Open Monday-Saturday, from 7am-4pm.

DEAR JERVOIS, 234 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 7278, www.dearjervois.com A popular and very busy local cafe with wheat-free, gluten-free and vegan offerings.

The menu boasts a range of options for all. The portobello mushrooms and potato hash stack (VG, GF), Be Good Vegan; quinoa, brown rice, beetroot, kimchi, pumpkin, coriander, sesame seeds, drizzled with cashew aioli, or the waffles - all their waffle mixes are gluten-free. Open Monday-Friday, 7am-4pm and Saturday and Sunday, 8am-4pm, closed Tuesday.

DELLOWS KITCHEN, 212 Jervois Road, T: 09 378 6156 www.dellows.co.nz Dellows Kitchen provides fresh seasonal food for all occasions, excellent coffees and friendly and warm service. Check out their time-saving fresh or frozen take-home meal options. Open Monday-Saturday, 7am-4pm and Sunday, 7am-3pm.

DESSERT DOJO, 95c Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 0919 www.dessertdojo.co.nz Dessert Dojo offers an exciting and innovative way of producing mouth-watering ice-cold desserts. The mixing of ice cream with a variety of quality toppings such as brownie, fruits and nuts, on the custom-engineered cold stone facilities, create divine tasting desserts in front of your eyes! Open Monday-Sunday, 1pm-10.30pm.

DIDA’S FOOD STORE, 54 Jervois Road, T: 09 361 6157, www.didas.co.nz Delicious food and exceptional coffee, created from the heart, eat in or take away.

An extensive and impressive deli counter, boasting an impressive array of lunch options, salads, tarts, pies, wraps and sandwiches alongside a smartly presented

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

EL SIZZLING CHORIZO ARGENTINIAN BBQ, Ponsonby Central 136 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 0119, www.elsizzlingchorizo.co.nz Try the real flavour of the Argentinian Pampas right here in the heart of Ponsonby.

Offering Argentinian bbq asado, home-made chorizo and empanadas. They’re also licensed. Open 7 days, from 11.30am-10pm. Friday-Saturday open till 11pm.

EMPRESS GARDEN RESTAURANT, 227 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 5550 www.empressgardenrestaurant.co.nz Renowned for their Peking duck, which must be pre-ordered, Empress Garden is on the corner of Herne Bay Road and Jervois Road and has been serving delicious Chinese food for over 33 years. Open 7 days, 12 noon-2.30pm and 5.30pm-10pm.

EMPRESS OF INDIA, 2 Surrey Crescent T: 09 378 8780 www.empressofindia.co.nz This Indian restaurant is located on the corner of Surrey Crescent. It has a large well presented dining room, and the staff is welcoming. Try something a little bit different, like the Empress Special Curry (chicken/lamb/beef) cooked with onions, fenugreek and Indian mild spices. Open 7 days, lunch 11am-2.30pm, dinner 5pm-till late.

EPOLITO’S,166 Richmond Road, T: 09 361 1593 www.epolitospizzeria.co.nz Epolito’s makes home made New York style pizza, from classics to something new!

Epolito’s Pizzeria is open Tuesday-Saturday from 5pm.

ERAWAN THAI RESTAURANT & BAR, 280 Richmond Road www.erawanthai.co.nz Erawan Thai has built a reputation over the past 13 years for its excellence. What makes it so special is the courteous, obliging and helpful staff. The restaurant has consistently superb food and a good wine list. Open 7 days for dinner and take away.

ESCOBAR ESPRESSO, 483 Richmond Road, T: 09 376 4181 This cafe is all about coffee with a few lovely savoury and sweet things to eat from the cabinet, like chicken ciabatta sandwiches and brioche. They hold barista training workshops, coffee tastings and seminars and the whole place can be hired for private functions. Open 7 days Monday-Friday, 6.30am-3pm, Saturday and Sunday, 8am-2pm.

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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A-Z CAFES & RESTAURANTS GUIDE

CONCH KITCHEN & BAR, 115a Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 1999 www.conch.co.nz The Conch Kitchen & Bar is part of the Ponsonby entertainment scene day and night, serving South American-inspired food, New Zealand organic wines and local craft beers. Open 7 days, Sunday-Wednesday, 8am-12midnight, Thursday-Saturday, 8am-1am.

PONSONBY LITTLE BLACK BOOK: A-Z CAFES + RESTAURANTS GUIDE ESPRESSO CORNER, Unit 16, 210-218 Victoria Street West T: 09 366 7776 Espresso Corner Cafe Victoria Park Market is serving organic Allpress coffee and freshly baked food everyday. They bake their own bread, muffins, scones, cakes, slices and prepare fresh sandwiches. They roast chicken daily and serve it with salad. Home-made cooking is available - mousakkas, lasagnas, burgers. They offer gluten-free, vegan and raw food daily. Open 7.30am-3.30pm, Monday-Friday and 9am-4pm Sunday.

FARINA, 244 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 302 2665, www.farina.co.nz Situated in a bright airy space at the top of Summer Street, Farina (meaning ‘flour’ in Italian) has fast become a popular eatery. Sergio Maglione and Mike Ross offer the legendary metre-long pizzas, perfect for sharing with a group of friends at one of their communal tables. Also on offer is fresh pasta dishes, a range of Neapolitan antipasti and more. Open 7 days, 12 noon-10pm.

FARRO FRESH FOOD, 34 Westmoreland Street West, T: 09 360 0499 www.farrofresh.co.nz Farro Fresh is a unique one-stop, fresh food market. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick coffee or looking for the ingredients for a recipe, they have it all under one roof. Farro stocks the very best local and international ingredients and prides itself on being a one-stop shop for fresh, wholesome and delicious food.

FATIMA’S, 240 Ponsonby Road T: 09 376 9303, www.fatimas.co.nz Serving Middle Eastern takeout with a unique twist. Fatima’s is all about flavour and fresh produce. Zingy lemon, fresh herbs and the warm aromatic spices from the East. Taste their harissa chicken, spiced lamb or fresh falafel wrapped up in a toasted pita with their handmade salads and sauces. They also offer potato koftas with sweet chilli aioli. Open 7days, 11.30am-10pm.

FIERA CHARCOAL BBQ, 112 Wellington Street, T: 09 376 1688 At Fiera Charcoal bbq, they use the freshest of New Zealand meat, seafood, vegetables and wheat products, with lamb skewer the main feature on their menu.

With the charcoal bbq cooking method, they use the finest selection of charcoal to get the best results. Try their fresh and delicious charcoal bbq shashliks accompanied by original Taiwanese lager beer, pineapple flavoured beer or mango flavoured beer!

FOXTROT PARLOUR, Ponsonby Central, 7 Richmond Road T: 09 378 7268, www.foxtrotparlour.co.nz It’s no surprise that Foxtrot Parlour is owned by Tara Brogan, who was also the brains and the palate behind popular Grey Lynn staple Savour & Devour and food design specialist at Quintessential Kitchen. Her attention to detail is always exceptional, and from the food to the coffee to the staff Foxtrot is pretty damn flawless. No longer a secret are their famous injectable doughnuts and, of course, the bulging cabinet of home baked delights. They offer Supreme coffee, or try their now much copied green smoothie - kiwifruit, mint and spinach.

lunch with the family. Fusion is also available for functions. Open Monday-Wednesday, 7am-4pm, Thursday-Sunday, 7am-5pm.

GABLES KITCHEN & BAR, 248 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 4994 www.gables.kitchen Gables Kitchen & Bar is a great well-known local, offering functions in a cool, contemporary setting. They offer friendly, knowledgeable staff who will ensure that your event runs smoothly. They offer gorgeous canapés, mouth-watering buffets, elegant set menus from spit roast or barbeque. Choose from their beautifully crafted wine list, fantastic range of tap and bottle beers and their great selection of spirits, organic juices and lots more.

GARNET STATION, 85 Garnet Road, T: 09 360 3397 www.garnetstation.com Garnet Station Licensed Cafe serves cooked breakfasts, 7 days a week and thin crispy wood fired pizzas on Wednesday-Sunday nights. They use Chiasso organic coffee, Green Valley organic milk, free-range eggs and only organic meat. Great vegetarian salads, GF options, sweet treats. Lots of cosy seating in the house or outside down the sunny lane. Private party space for hire. Open 7 days, Wednesday -Saturday, 7am-10pm, Sunday/Monday/Tuesday, 7am-4pm.

GELATO AMANTE, 49 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 8833 www.gelatoamante.co.nz Gelato Amante is a family-owned business serving genuine Italian ice cream. If you are after a late coffee or dessert, they are situated just across from the Ponsonby International Food Court. Open until midnight with a promise of hot desserts coming soon for the winter months.

GOOD ONE, 42 Douglas Street, T: 09 376 2784, www.coffeesupreme.com Douglas Street is home to both Coffee Supreme wholesale and their very own Good One cafe. Coffee Supreme is a hub for specialty coffee and provides an abode to talk about all things coffee. You can stock up on beans and brewing equipment for coffee at home and grab some food while you’re there. You’re welcome every Thursday morning between 8am-10am for a free coffee tasting. Open Monday-Friday, 7am -3pm and Saturday, 8am-3pm.

GREEN KEEPER CAFE, Corner Halsey and Fanshawe Streets T: 09 302 0425, www.greenkeeper.co.nz A unique historic cottage (circa 1906) set inside Victoria Park is perfect for catching up with friends or a takeaway for lunch at the park, and the handy location is excellent for business meetings, with separate rooms available to book for larger groups. Their menu has been carefully selected around seasonal availability, utilising free range and organic (where possible) ingredients, local artisan products and sustainable practises to create restaurant-quality food, to either eat-in, or take out at reasonable cafe prices. Specialising in wholesome salads, American style deli sandwiches (Hoagies), and handmade pasta and sauces.

FRED’S, Corner Franklin and Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 1551 www.fredsespresso.co.nz Fred’s is basically Agnes Curran with a facelift, with an emphasis on friendliness.

They’ve kept all the favourites from the good ‘old’ days, ie, lamingtons, but have expanded the menu to include gourmet hot dogs, toasties, Bircher muesli, halloumi salad, traditional and experimental milkshakes. They are open early till 3pm on weekdays and 4pm on weekends.

GREY LYNN RSC, 1 Francis Street, T: 09 376 2909 www.greylynnrsc.org.nz Open 365 days of the year, this is a unique gem in the middle of Grey Lynn. The downstairs bistro has tasty, reasonably priced meals while the upstairs restaurant and large room are available for private functions. Visitors and new members are most welcome. The bistro is open Wednesday-Sunday from 5pm.

FREEMAN & GREY, 43 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 6496 www.freemanandgrey.co.nz Freeman & Grey is a great sunny spot in Ponsonby with a laid-back atmosphere, great sharing plates menu and a heap of fun to be had. They offer a $4 pizza deal between 12noon-2pm and 5pm-7.30pm, open 12 noon Monday-Sunday.

GROUCHO’S CAFE, 1/143 Wellesley Street West, T: 09 309 3939 A retro licensed cafe and wine bar with hand-crafted boutique beers and a wide range of gluten-free food. There is a strong focus on nutrition and health and they use free-range, organic and fair trade products when available. Open Monday-Friday, 7am-4pm.

FRENCHIE BAR A VIN BISTRO, 265 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 2516 www.frenchie.co.nz Ponsonby’s restaurant for lovers of all things French! Enjoy classic French dishes such as boeuf bourguignon or crepe suzette flambee au grand marnier. Live music every Friday. Open Tuesday and Wednesday, 5pm-late, Thursday and Friday, 12 noon -late, Saturday, 5pm-late and Sunday and Monday closed.

GUSTO ITALIANO, 263 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 361 1556 www.gustoitaliano.co.nz At Gusto they keep things traditional; you will find the very best gnocchi, tortellini, linguine, ravioli and spaghetti. A private room is available for functions. Open Monday-Wednesday, 5.30pm-late, Thursday-Sunday, 12 noon -late.

FUSION CAFE, 32 Jervois Road, T: 09 378 4573, www.fusioncafenz.com Fusion has a wonderful outdoor garden which makes it ideal for relaxing with a coffee made by one of their Allpress trained baristas. A great spot for enjoying breakfast or

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HANA SUSHI, 596 Great North Road, T: 09 361 2008 Made fresh every day, the sushi is laid out in immaculate formation in a very long cabinet. Sushi sells out quickly here - it’s a popular go to in Grey Lynn for lunch whether dining in or take-away.

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

IL FORNO, 55 Mackelvie Street, T: 09 378 0264, www.ilforno.co.nz A bakery and cafe specialising in traditional Italian fare and bakery items, including fresh croissants, pastries, home-made cakes and a wide selection of breads along with an interesting selection of deli products to take home. The coffee is pretty good too. Open 7 days, 7am-4pm. iVILLAGE, 216 Victoria Street West, Victoria Park Market T: 09 309 4009, www.ivillageatvictoria.co.nz This Indian restaurant has recently celebrated their second birthday. Relive the joys of a bygone era; enjoy traditionally cooked Indian cuisine in a rustic setting. Open lunch Tuesday-Friday, 12 noon-2.30pm; dinner 7 nights, 5pm till late.

JAFA, 551 Richmond Road, T: 09 361 1100 Jafa has a cool laid-back atmosphere with a warm and welcoming team. There’s Allpress coffee and fabulous food like lamb’s fry and bacon or Balinese sticky black rice. There is a conference room upstairs for private group breakfasts, lunches or corporate meetings. Open Monday-Friday, 7am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday, 8am-4pm.

JANKEN, 158 Jervois Road, T: 09 360 0555 Janken is a new, sophisticated, trendy Japanese restaurant taking its name from the popular decision making game ‘paper, scissors, rock’, offering Japanese cuisine with a fusion twist. A unique space with its minimalist décor and exposed grey concrete.

Open five days for lunch (Tuesday-Saturday), six days for dinner (Tuesday-Sunday).

JERVOIS STEAK HOUSE, 70 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 2049, www.jervoissteakhouse.co.nz At Jervois Steak House, you can discover the difference between grass-fed and

grain-fed beef with head chef Rob Forsman. There is a great range of beef, lamb, chicken and fish and pre-ordering is essential for the restaurant’s signature slow -roasted prime rib. Bookings are essential. Open: Lunches: Wednesday-Friday, 12 noon-3pm. Dinners: Monday-Sunday, 5.30pm.

JIMMY THE FISH, Ponsonby Central, 136 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 1554 www.jimmythefish.co.nz Jimmy the Fish offers a varied array of daily changing seafood dishes. The Lion Red battered fish and handmade fries are highly recommended. They offer wet fish and seafood sales. Eat in or take out, you choose. Open 7 days.

JOY BONG THAI, 531 Karangahape Road T: 09 377 2218 www.joybongthai.co.nz Joy Bong Thai specialises in Royal Thai, as well as rustic Issan Thai cuisine with a modern twist. The food is typically delicate and spicy, always fresh daily. With friendly staff and great food, this is a great place for parties, large and small. Tell Apple, the owner, we sent you. Open for lunch weekdays, 11.30am-2.30pm; dinner 7 nights, 5.30pm-10.30pm KOKAKO, 537 Great North Road, T: 09 379 2868, www.kokako.co.nz Kokako is a local Grey Lynn coffee company supplying certified organic coffee to discerning customers. At Kokako cafe you can enjoy an expertly made espresso or choose from a range of non-pressurised single origin coffees in the brew bar.

Kokako cafe has an extensive cabinet and seasonal à la carte menu with a focus on local, organic produce and extensive dairy free, gluten-free and vegetarian options.

Open Monday-Friday, 7am-3.30pm. Weekends, 7.30am-4pm.

L’ ESCABEAU FRENCH KITCHEN, 104 Richmond Road, T: 09 360 6156 www.lescabeau.co.nz 100% Kiwi with an incontestable French touch... they make fresh sandwiches, wraps, salads, French baguettes and fresh juices. Gluten-free and vegetarian options.

Delicious tarts, gratins, patisseries and ‘petits gateaux’, slices and muffins. They offer crepes and galettes on Saturdays. Opening hours 7am-3pm, Monday-Saturday.

LONGROOM INTRODUCES NEW ‘WINTER’ MENU With winter fast approaching there are more reasons to dine at a favourite Ponsonby local...

Longroom has celebrated its first six years with a raft of building improvements making diners and revellers feel even more at home. Now, it is evident there is a very clear focus on food. Longroom’s new menu offers a diverse range of customers something they can easily identify with and enjoy at any time of the day or night.

Dylan Clegg (head chef) took over Longroom’s kitchen in August 2015 after his stint at Bracu as sous chef. Clegg, originally from Sydney, he has a raft of experience at some of New Zealand’s leading restaurants including head chef positions at Dockside in Wellington and Lochmara Lodge in the Marlborough Sounds.

Clegg enjoys cooking good, honest and simple food with fresh ingredients and clean wholesome flavours. He believes variety is also key when putting an interesting seasonal menu together - Asian, Mediterranean and European influences are evident within the new menu at Longroom, complementing some of Longroom’s classic hero dishes.

Highlights on Clegg’s new menu include the duck spring rolls with hoisin dipping sauce, roasted pumpkin and sweet corn ravioli with sage brown butter, a roast rack of lamb, confit shoulder, roasted kumara and red wine jus, and the new oven baked market fish with potato puree, prawn tortellini and a crayfish cream.

Weekly specials on the new menu will include a potpie, a soup and a fruit crumble for those with a penchant for something sweet. Keep an eye out for Longroom’s dining deals on their website. F PN LONGROOM, 114 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 8803, www.longroom.co.nz The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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IL BUCO, 113 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 4414, www.ilbuco.co.nz Il buco serves the best Roman pizza by the slice. You can buy one slice for a snack or 100 slices for a party. Owner and barista Jonny Rudduck serves Supreme coffee and other popular menu items are beef lasagne, tiramisu and the little shots of hot chocolate are to die for. Open Monday-Friday, 8am-9pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8am-8pm.

PONSONBY LITTLE BLACK BOOK: A-Z CAFES + RESTAURANTS GUIDE LA BOULANGE, 214 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 5145, www.laboulange.co.nz Homemade baguette, croissant, pain au chocolat and pain au raisin are a few of the highlights of this little French bakery, cafe and sandwich bar. There are a few seats in the window and outside to enjoy a traditional pastry and Supreme coffee or try one of their delicious French baguette sandwiches or macaroons. Open 7 days, 7am-3pm.

LA NOISETTE CHOCOLATES & PATISSERIES, 518 Karangahape Road T: 303 0600 La Noisette is an innovative eating house, specialising in homemade patisseries and chocolates. They also do catering and customise desserts for all special occasions.

Open Monday-Friday, 7am-5pm, Saturday, 8am-4pm.

LA ZEPPA, 33 Drake Street, T: 09 379 8167, www.lazeppa.co.nz One of Auckland’s favourite rooftop bars with impressive views over Victoria Park and to the Sky Tower. La Zeppa offers delicious hot and cold tapas to enjoy with friends and a glass of wine and is the perfect venue for social functions from two to two hundred.

Bookings are not required. Open 7 days, 4pm-late and Friday lunch from 12 noon.

LE VIETNAMESE KITCHEN, 107 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 6107 www.vietnamesekitchen.co.nz At Le Vietnamese Kitchen you can experience the dedication to quality and the balance of intense flavours. Enjoy the fresh and aromatic flavours of Vietnamese cuisine finished with French flair. Mouth-watering, authentic dishes full of local, fresh vegetables, meat and fish will feature, along with a divine menu of Vietnameseinspired cocktails.

LITTLEBIRD ORGANICS - THE UNBAKERY, 1a Summer Street T: 09 555 3278, www.littlebirdorganics.co.nz They serve breakfast from 7am, lunch dishes from 11am, the most amazing smoothies, teas, raw cacao mugs, Kokako fairtrade organic cold brew coffee, chemex and filter, cakes, tarts, slices, cheesecakes and cookies from the cabinet all day. Littlebird goodies are made from the best raw organic ingredients they can find, and are completely vegetarian, gluten and dairy free. Open 7 days, 7am-4pm.

Kitchen closes at 3pm - menu available online.

LITTLE BREAD & BUTTER BAKERY & CAFE, Ponsonby Central, Richmond Road, T: 09 376 4007; 34 Westmoreland Street West, T: 09 378 9111, www.breadandbutterbakery.co.nz Little Bread & Butter Bakery specialises in organic breads. There are many different types of sourdough, European speciality loaves, bread rolls and pretzels. You can choose from a wide selection of handmade pastries, cakes, and savouries, sandwiches and gourmet pies. At the large communal table you can toast your own slices of freshly baked bread and enjoy them with house-made butter and jam while you watch people bustling around the market area. Serving Five Elements coffee.

LITTLE EASY, 198 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 0098 Little Easy delivers unpretentious fun and classic ‘pub-dom’ with great tasting food and vibes to match. This is much more than the average pub fare. They run weekly food specials, Happy hours everyday from 4-7pm and DJs jamming till late. The classic Kiwi pub menu is infused with American traits - their burgers are served on fresh brioche buns, a range chicken wings. Both not to be missed! Open TuesdayThursday, 4pm-late, Friday-Sunday, 12 noon-late.

LONGROOM, 114 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 8803, www.longroom.co.nz With a covered courtyard and north-facing sun deck, Longroom offers a fresh, unique alfresco environment for brunch (weekends and public holidays), lunch and dinner and of course those special drinking occasions. Longroom’s menu encourages sharing (sharing is caring) from a selection of bar snacks, small plates, salads and platters, larger dishes and some sweet treats. Must tries are - poutine fries, miso pork belly, Longroom platter, wagyu beef burger and baked market fish.

DJs play during the evening Thursday to Saturday. Open Monday-Friday, 11am-late, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 10am-late.

MA CHERIE, Shop 12, 282 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 1822 www.macherie.co.nz Ma Cherie French is a newish cafe/patisserie store, right behind Adorno. Try their French breakfast menu, which include galettes, croque monsieur, French toast, traditional croissants, pastries, birthday cakes, breads. Located in a cosy, relaxed, sunny courtyard. Open Tuesday-Friday, 7am-4pm. Saturday-Sunday, 8am-4pm.

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MAD MEX, 108 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 1846 www.madmex.co.nz New to Ponsonby Road, they serve gourmet burritos and tacos that are made to order using only the freshest produce, flavourful salsas and authentic slow roasted and grilled meats. Open Monday, 11am-9.30pm, Tuesday-Thursday, 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday, 10.30am-3.30am, Sunday, 10.30am-9.30pm.

MALDITO MENDEZ, Ponsonby Central, 4 Brown Street, T: 09 378 9107 www.mendez.co.nz Maldito Mendez located on the Brown Street side of the Ponsonby Central precinct, serves Latin American street food - a delicious range of snacks, empanadas, tacos, ceviches and mains. Open 7 days, 11.30am-late.

MALT BAR & RESTAURANT, 442 Richmond Road, T: 09 360 9537 www.maltbar.co.nz A friendly, neighbourhood bar and restaurant in the heart of West Lynn, Malt serves a variety of delicious lunches, mains, woodfire pizzas and tapas all week plus brunch on the weekend. Check out their website for daily specials like ‘Buy One Get One Free’ mains on Mondays, free quiz night on Tuesday, thirst quenching happy hours and beer o’clock starting at 4pm with $4 beers on Sunday. Open Monday-Friday, 11am -late, Saturday and Sunday, 10am-late.

MAMATA BAKEHOUSE, 401 Richmond Road, T: 09 376 3191 This bakery-cafe-hangout out is a Grey Lynn favourite. Whether your tummy growls for a sandwich, roll, pie, slice or muffin you’ll be able to get it here. Mamata is renowned for their made to order bagels, Ponsonby News’s favourite is the avocado and tomato toasted sesame seed bagel! Open Monday-Saturday, 7am-5.30pm.

MARCELLO’S, 28 College Hill, T: 09 361 2600 Marcello’s is open 7 days for breakfast, brunch, and lunch and they are fully licensed.

What better way to start your day than with a gorgeous omelette? They serve great coffee and awesome food homemade fresh everyday which always comes with a friendly smile. Free wireless is available and they offer catering for functions. Open Monday-Friday, 6am-4pm, Saturday-Sunday, 7.30am-4pm.

MARY’S, 13 St Marys Road, T: 09 360 7260 The old fire station is now home to this new cafe headed by Tim Tohill (previously of Benediction and Jafa). A tastefully refurbished interior that is light filled and spacious.

They have familiar breakfast favourites such as red flannel hash with gourmet red potatoes sautéed with red onions, tomato and chorizo and topped with fried or poached eggs. Or you may be in the mood for a healthy protein power lunch? Try the kale salad! Open Monday-Friday, 7am-4pm, Saturday-Sunday, 8am-4pm.

MATTERHORN AUCKLAND, 37 Drake Street, T: 09 929 2790 www.matterhorn.co.nz Situated in the lofty space formerly occupied by Libertine, this is the new Auckland establishment of the existing Matterhorn Wellington. They combine incredible food, superb cocktails and live beats with a laid-back atmosphere and on point service.

Open 7 days, 3pm-late.

MEKONG BABY, 262 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 1113 www.mekongbaby.com A modern Southeast Asian fusion restaurant designed with unique roughened floors, crudely painted walls with simple, yet elegant, nostalgic prints of life in Vietnam covering the walls. They have seating for as many as 80 guests in the bar, 60 in the restaurant and 30 in the Mekong function room. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 12 noon-late.

MEOLA KITCHEN, 184 Garnet Road, T: 09 360 6184 Meola Kitchen keeps things simple with breakfast and lunch menu options that are spins on old favourites. There’s also counter food available including fresh pastries and delicious home-made muffins. Open 7 days, 7.30am-5pm.

MEXICALI FRESH, 166 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 0076 www.mexicalifresh.co.nz A Californian-style Mexican eatery, they offer burritos, nachos, quesadillas, tacos and more. Enjoy feasting on tasty yet nutritious food in a fun Mexican-style atmosphere.

Open Sunday-Thursday, 10am-11pm, Friday-Saturday, till 3am.

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

MOLLIES, 6 Tweed Street, T: 09 376 3489, www.mollies.co.nz Elegant spaces available for private functions, meetings and special events, please contact reservations@mollies.co.nz for further information.

MONTEREY COFFEE LOUNGE, 432 Richmond Road, T: 09 360 0488.

Monterey is a warm and friendly neighbourhood coffee lounge in the heart of West Lynn. Try their zucchini fritters or a schnitzel sandwich made on home-made bread.

Everything is made on the premises including delicious butterfly cakes. Eat in or take away. Open Monday-Friday, 7am-4pm, Saturday-Sunday, 8am-4pm.

MOOCHOWCHOW, 23 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 6262 www.moochowchow.co.nz Like a stroll through the fragrant night markets and food stalls of Bangkok, MooChowChow is a boost to the senses, capturing that vibrant zang of sweet, sour, salty and hot that makes Thai food a party-in-your-mouth. Cocktails of fresh fruits, shaved ice and smashed herbs will cool, refresh and tantalise. Private dining rooms are also available. Open Monday-Saturday, 5.30pm-late.

MOZAIK CAFE, Shop 10, 210-218 Victoria Street West T: 09 337 0744, www.mozaik.co.nz This cafe is located at Victoria Park Market, a stylish space with exposed wood beams and brick. They serve breakfast, brunch and lunch, with some vegetarian and gluten-free options. Open Monday-Friday, 7am-4pm, Saturday-Sunday 8am-4pm.

MURDER BURGER, 95 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 4005 www.murderburger.co.nz At Murder Burger, they serve an uncompromised fresh meat burger that’s worth it.

A place you would come to and enjoy a range of exciting burgers minus the guilt.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

MUTIARA MALAYSIAN RESTAURANT, 66 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 2759 www.mutiara.co.nz Mutiara is a specialist in authentic Malaysian cuisine and authenticity is the top priority for chef and owner Roy Lim. Malaysian cuisine is diverse in its influences and styles and this is reflected in the menu which offers signature dishes such as Rendang Kampung (thick curry), Ikan Bakar (Malaysian style grilled fish) and Mamak Noodles. Open for lunch Monday-Friday, 12 noon-2.30pm and dinner 7 nights, 6pm-10.30pm.

NAVAS CAFE MALAYSIAN CUISINE, 14 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 4478 Chef and owner Krishnan prepares and serves beautiful fresh Malaysian food.

A speciality is murtabak (a handmade roti with lamb filling), spicy beef rendang and Malaysian Indian style curries. Family run, Navas loves children and you will always be very warmly welcomed. Open for lunch Monday-Friday, 11am-2pm and dinner, 7 nights, 6pm-10pm.

NISHIKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT, 100 Wellington Street T: 09 376 7104 www.nishiki.co.nz Robata-yaki means having dinner and drinks in a cosy and social atmosphere watching the kitchen. Because most of the dishes are grilled and deep fried and snack sized, you can order many different kinds of food to share. Also available is a wide selection of Japanese sake, wine and beer; BYO wine. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 6pm-11pm.

OCCAM CAFE & BAR, 135 Williamson Avenue, T: 09 378 0604 www.occamcafe.co.nz Occam is a popular spot with locals for breakfast, lunch, coffee, snacks or a relaxed weekend brunch. There are tables inside and out and a mezzanine bar creates a buzzy atmosphere. They are fully licensed and you can phone in your coffee order for quick and easy pick up. Occam is also a great venue for functions. Open Monday -Friday, 7am-5pm, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 8am-5pm.

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MEXICO, 164 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 280 3919, www.mexico.net.nz A lively eatery on the strip offering great Mexican dishes. Try one of their quesadillas or soft shell tacos, and look out for their weekly specials. They take bookings for groups over 10. Open Monday-Sunday, 12 noon-late.

PONSONBY LITTLE BLACK BOOK: A-Z CAFES + RESTAURANTS GUIDE OHSO CAFE, 29 Crummer Road, T: 09 360 0700, www.ohso.co.nz Offer a fantastic menu and cabinet food, Allpress coffee along with a chilled out atmosphere make ohSO the perfect place for a casual business meeting or a catch up with friends. Functions and catering also available. Open Monday-Friday, 7am -3pm, Saturday-Sunday 8am-3pm.

ONE 2 ONE CAFE, 21 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 4954 One 2 One cafe has just celebrated its 23rd year, uses coffee supplied by the local boutique roaster Craig Miller. With free wifi, they are fully licensed and offer a selection of organic wine with craft beers also available. Family friendly, with a charming Parisian style and a covered courtyard complete with a children’s sandpit and blackboard.

ORPHAN’S KITCHEN, 118 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 7979 www.orphanskitchen.co.nz Orphan’s Kitchen is all about unadulterated food and naughty wines. They offer a laid back atmosphere with honest food. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 5pm-late and brunch Wednesday-Sunday.

PANE E VINO, 20 Williamson Avenue, T: 09 360 0263, www.paneevino.co.nz Owner Tito is passionate about the food they serve which is regional Italian style cuisine. Classic antipasti, pasta and mains all exceptionally flavoured using fresh ingredients plus popular Italian desserts and thin crust pizza. Dine in - Delivery - Take out - Catering. Lunch from Monday-Friday, 12 noon-3pm and dinner 7 days from 5pm.

PHILIPPE’S CHOCOLATE, 295 Great North Road, T: 09 376 1754 www.philippechocolate.co.nz Not just fabulous flavoured chocolates and bonbons, Philippe’s also make French cakes and tarts, French pastries and breads, sandwiches and quiches. Open Monday 8am-4pm, Tuesday-Thursday, 7.30am-5pm, Friday-Saturday, 7.30am-5.30pm, Sunday 7.30am-4pm.

PICCOLI PIATTI, 170 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 5367 www.piccolipiatti.co.nz Piccoli Piatti offers a range of modern Italian inspired antipasti style shared plates and fresh pasta, made by hand in their kitchen daily, along with a selection of mains, sides and desserts. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 5pm-late. Closed Sunday-Monday.

PITA PIT, 2/104 Ponsonby Road T: 09 378 7482 www.pitapit.co.nz/stores/ponsonby Under new management Pita Pit offers quality, healthy, fresh food - fast! The menu is varied with chicken, lamb, beef, ham, tuna and vegetarian fillings, with a choice of plain, wholemeal or new gluten-free pitas to choose from. The service is super friendly. You can take away or enjoy your pita at one of the outside tables. Open 7 days, Monday -Thursday, 9am-9pm, Friday-Saturday, 10am-10pm and Sunday, 10am-9pm.

PONSONBY INTERNATIONAL FOOD COURT, 106 Ponsonby Road www.ponsonbyfoodcourt.co.nz Walk right in and taste the mouth-watering recipes from Italy, Japan, Malaysia, China, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and more. Situated right in the heart of Ponsonby with a fully licensed bar. This is the perfect place for that leisurely lunch, dinner or quick break from business. Open daily 11am-10pm.

PONSONBY ROAD BISTRO, 165 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 1611 www.ponsonbyroadbistro.co.nz The award-winning Ponsonby Road Bistro offers a well-priced menu and interesting wine list in a stylish and relaxed environment. Sarah Conway’s menu provides a global feast - and the chargrilled scotch with hand-cut chips has become a firm favourite. The friendly staff and cosy dining room offer a warm welcome. An express lunch menu runs weekdays from 12 noon. Open Monday-Friday, 12 noon-late and Saturday, 4pm-late.

PREGO, 226 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 3095, www.prego.co.nz This iconic restaurant was established over 28 years ago, Prego is the ultimate in Italian alfresco dining with the intimacy of an enclosed courtyard, late suppers at the bar in front of a wood fire or bistro style dining with the buzz of a busy restaurant.

Takeaway available, open 7 days, 12 noon-late.

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PURE FOOD KITCHEN, 2a Hakanoa Street, T: 378 7016 www.purefoodkitchen.co.nz Pure Food Kitchen provides convenient nutrient dense REAL food, with nothing processed and nothing artificial. All their food is gluten and soy free, with no refined sugars, and is made fresh onsite. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 9am-3.30pm. Closed Mondays and public holidays.

QUEENIES, 24a Spring Street, Freemans Bay T: 09 378 8977 www.queenies.co.nz Tucked away from the bustle of Ponsonby on the corner of Middle and Cascade Streets is the award-winning Queenies. Offering Supreme coffee, New Zealand beers and wines, a unique sweet selection and a tantalising menu. Open Monday-Friday, 7am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday, 8am-4pm.

RENKON, 47 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 1006 www.renkon.co.nz/ponsonby This restaurant specialises in donburi, which is a large bowl of rice topped with fresh vegetables, meat or fish. The meals are quick, cheap, unpretentious, nutritious and well-balanced. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 12 noon-3pm and 5pm-9pm.

REVELRY, 106 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 8663, www.revelry.co.nz The delicious food menu includes a selection of Asian fusion sharing plates, platters and bar snacks. An extensive New Zealand and international wine list, classic and original cocktails with seasonal recipes, and craft beers will give you something new to try every visit. Open from early afternoon until late every night of the week.

Brunch service is available from Friday-Sunday.

RICHMOND RD CAFE, 318 Richmond Road, T: 09 360 5559 www.richmondrdcafe.co.nz One of 10 award-winning cafes owned by HIPGROUP, Richmond Road Cafe is a buzzing urban cafe. With a menu refined by HIPGROUP’s belief in provenance, sustainability, seasonality and locally sourced product, many of the ingredients are grown on their farm in Kumeu. There’s an all day menu, sweet selection, freshly squeezed juices and frappes plus a champagne, wine and beer menu. Open 7 days, 7am-4pm.

RIPE DELI, 172 Richmond Road, T: 09 360 6159, www.ripedeli.co.nz Providing healthy and fresh takeout food for breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between, using the best of local, free farmed and free range ingredients.

Weeknight TV dinners and freezer meals, a variety of gourmet sandwiches and wraps, fresh produce laden salads all year round, decadent home-baked slices, cakes and brioche; plus home-made jams, relishes, dressings and chutneys. Delivery is available Monday - Friday until 3pm for out-catering and you can order online.

Open Monday - Friday, 7am-7pm, Saturday, 7am-4pm and Sunday, 8am-4pm.

ROCKET KITCHEN, 234a Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 8834 www.rocketkitchen.co.nz Serving Aucklanders for over 17 years, Rocket Kitchen’s truly gourmet takeaway and catering includes their range of premium fresh wedding and birthday cakes, tarts, desserts, sweets and cupcakes. Savoury treats and salads are also available from the iconic shop on Ponsonby Road where everything is made fresh each day. Monday - Friday, 8am-6pm, Saturday, 8.30am-4.30pm.

ROSSO POMODORO, 356 Great North Road, T: 09 360 6257 www.rossopomodoro.co.nz Your local Italian wood fire pizza made by pizza makers Marcello and Matteo with hosting by Tito to deliver the best wood fire pizza in town. They say, “the best pizza is our top priority”.

SAFFRON INDIAN RESTAURANT, 31 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 2122 www.saffronindianrestaurant.co.nz Saffron specialises in south Indian cuisine. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 3pm they serve an all vegetarian buffet brunch. Catering, takeaway and delivery in Ponsonby is also available. Open 7 days, Monday-Sunday. Lunch 11am -3pm. Dinner 6pm-10.30pm.

SALASH DELICATESSEN, Victoria Park Market, T: 09 379 9656 www.salash.co.nz All 100% natural, NZ and hand-made sausages, salamis, fresh and air-dried meats,

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

SALTA ESPRESSO, 285 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 1295 Salta Espresso delivers quality personal service, great coffee and delicious fresh food made with pride on the premises every day. A full breakfast and lunch menu is available as well as delicious cakes, pastries and sandwiches. Open Monday-Friday, 6.30am-4.30pm, Saturday and Sunday, 7am-4.30pm.

SANTOS CAFE, 114 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 8431 www.santoscoffee.co.nz Santos Cafe (Cafe con Espiritu) is Ponsonby Road’s much loved Latino inspired cafe.

Anne and the team at Santos are known for serving coffee with soul complemented with an inspired range of food and beverages. You can also discover emerging and talented artist’s works on the Santos art wall (Arte Na Favela), Santos Cafe Open Monday-Friday, 6.30am-4.30pm and Saturday-Sunday, 7am-4.30pm.

SATYA SOUTH INDIAN RESTAURANT, 17 Great North Road, T: 09 361 3612 www.satya.co.nz Satya is situated near the Ponsonby, Newton and K’ Road intersection. Their south Indian recipes are age old and are based on Ayurvedic principles; their motive is good food. With its relaxed ambience and friendly staff, it is a great place for a vast range of Indian meals at a good price. Takeaway, delivery, catering and banquets for

A-Z CAFES & RESTAURANTS GUIDE

cheese and more. Two Salash bbq sausages in a hand-made, freshly toasted ciabatta bun for only $8. Salash cold smoked, freshly grilled pork scotch fillet sandwich in a hand-made, freshly toasted ciabatta bun, or salad for only $10.50. Salash marinated beef eye fillet sandwich in a hand-made, freshly toasted ciabatta bun, or salad for only $12. Open Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm and Saturday-Sunday, 10am-4pm.

TONY VEITCH AND LISA BRYAN MOVE INTO THE HOOD! PONSONBY WELCOMES NEWLYWEDS TONY VEITCH AND Lisa Bryan into their new Herne Bay home, just in time to get cosy for the winter months. A few questions were posed to ‘Veitchy’ about his lady-love and his favourite Ponsonby hang out spot - Mekong Baby.

You’re often seen out and about in these parts tell us about your favourite Ponsonby dining spot?

As Kiwi blokes we’ve definitely evolved past the meat and three vegetable thing and right now I love the southeast Asian fusion they serve up at Mekong Baby. Shared dishes are a great way to go, really tasty plus so light and healthy. The place is always chocca and the atmosphere is alive. It’s the kind of joint where I can take my sports mates or my lovely wife and feel at home. Lately Lisa and I have been in for a few ‘date-nights’.

How would you rate the service?

The service is faultless and the maitre d’ is honest if there’s a wait and will find you a spot at the bar, or one of the high tables (great for a short person like me!) We usually let the waiters recommend our dishes, this makes ordering easy and we are yet to be disappointed!

What are your favourite dishes?

The ‘Pad See Ew’ with braised beef skirt and noodles is definitely both Lisa’s and my favourite dish. And I’m partial to the goat curry or in fact any curry on the Mekong Baby menu!

Your tipple of choice?

For me I’m really into their selection of premium tap beers and Lisa is partial to a ‘Tuk Tuk’ cocktail or two! F PN MEKONG BABY, 262 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 1113 www.mekongbaby.com

MEKONG BABY TUK TUK 45ml brandy 10ml cointreau 10ml cinnamon syrup 20ml lemon juice Mekong Baby - Pad See Ew

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

Method: Shake and double strain; Glass: Cocktail; Garnish: Lemon twist

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PONSONBY LITTLE BLACK BOOK: A-Z CAFES + RESTAURANTS GUIDE large groups are all available. Open for lunch Monday-Saturday, 11.30am-2.30pm and dinner Monday-Sunday, 5.30pm-10pm.

SAVOUR & DEVOUR, 478 Richmond Road, T: 09 361 2631 www.savouranddevour.co.nz Savour & Devour offers a range of cabinet food with home-made cakes, pies and sandwiches and a full breakfast and lunch menu. Catering and takeaway is available.

Open Monday-Friday, 7am-5pm, Saturday and Sunday, 8am-5pm.

SAWADEE THAI CUISINE, 42a Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 0320 www.sawadee.co.nz Sawadee offers dishes from the four main regions of the Siamese Kingdom. Thai food is a blend of tastes - hot, sour, salty, sweet and spicy with subtle additions of aromatic herbs to enrich the traditional flavours. Fully licensed, takeaway menu, functions catered and BYO wine. Lunch open Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm-3pm.

Dinner Monday-Sunday, 5pm-late.

SHAHI INDIAN EXPERIENCE, 26 Jervois Road, T: 09 378 8896 www.shahi.co.nz For more than 22 years, Shahi cafe has been serving Ponsonby locals timeless, sumptuous north Indian cuisine with a difference. There is an extensive variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes; some of the most popular are Shahi cigar, Shahi skewered chicken and stuffed tomato curry. A private function room is available and catering, delivery and takeaway menus. Open 11am-2.30pm and 5pm-late.

SHOKUZEN, 45 PONSONBY ROAD, T: 09 376 4565.

This is a new fusion Japanese restaurant with a vast selection of dishes to choose from. Try the tuna takaki; sliced rare tuna with ponze sauce, or the Agedashi tofu; lightly fried tofu with tempura sauce or the seaweed salad, or perhaps share a platter of California rolls (sushi).

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SIDART, Three Lamps Plaza, 283 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 2122 www.sidart.co.nz Sidart is the award-winning restaurant of chef Sid Sahrawat with modern creative New Zealand cuisine. It is a contemporary yet formal restaurant with innovative food and attentive, friendly service headed by Amanda Rodgers. The gorgeous city views and intimate dining room make Sidart a place for special occasions. Highly recommended by the Ponsonby News team. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 6pm, Friday lunch 12pm-2.30pm.

SIERRA CAFE PONSONBY, 295 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 0081 Now offering free wifi and their famous specialty Sierra coffee as well as delicious home-made cakes and slices - everything is available to take away. Open 7 days, 6.30am-4.30pm.

SIOSTRA, 472 Richmond Road, T: 09 360 6207, www.siostra.co.nz Siostra is a local bistro serving modern European cuisine. Pop in for a glass of wine and tapas or book for dinner. Open Tuesday-Sunday nights, lunch Friday and brunch Saturday and Sunday. Private dining room available.

SITTING DUCK CAFE, 141-151 Westhaven Drive, T: 376 0374 Established in 1984, this cafe is celebrating 31 years of service to the area.

A popular meeting place with over 30,000 pairs of legs through the door annually.

Where overalls, suits and families mix. Open early with a full breakfast, great coffee and delicious lunch menu selection from noon. The seafood chowder is always a favourite here, although the recipe is never revealed. Enjoy a wine on the deck with a view of the city through a sea of masts. Fully licensed. Open Monday, 9am-4pm, Tuesday - Wednesday, 7am-4pm, weekends, 7am-4.30pm.

SOUL THAI, 158 Williamson Avenue, T: 09 302 8888, www.soulthai.co.nz At Soul Thai, their goal is to cook restaurant quality, authentic Thai cuisine using the finest ingredients and deliver your order to your door fresh and fast. Order by phone or online. Now open in Mt Eden too. Open 7 days, 5pm-10pm.

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

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PONSONBY LITTLE BLACK BOOK: A-Z CAFES + RESTAURANTS GUIDE SPQR, 150 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 1710, www.spqrnz.co.nz A Ponsonby institution, SPQR has been a prominent fixture along the Ponsonby strip for 22 years. The lively atmosphere and friendly service gives SPQR an authentic, first-rate reputation. The pizza is great for an anytime snack and veal marsala is an old favourite. Eat in or take-away. Open 7 days, 12 noon-late.

ST PIERRE’S SUSHI OF JAPAN & SEAFOOD, 320 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 6553, www.stpierres.co.nz St Pierre’s Sushi is all about fresh, quality sushi at an affordable price. They now offer brown rice for all sushi flavours. Ready made to go for busy people, or made fresh on the spot anytime for tailor-made sushi requirements. Party platters of sushi are a specialty.

STAR THAI, 1 St Mary’s Road, T: 09 378 1776, www.starthai.co.nz A comprehensive wine list complements the fine food and you are welcome to BYO wine. Whether dining in or ordering dishes to eat at home, you can be assured of the finest Thai food cooked in the traditional way, prepared from the very best ingredients including fresh herbs, spices and exotic vegetables - a true taste of Thailand. Delivery is also available. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 5.30pm-late.

SUNDAY PAINTERS, 185 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 2001 www.sundaypainters.co.nz Invoking the decadence and style of a Parisian salon in the 1920s, this restaurant feels a world away from the trends and fashions of modern life. Chef Gordon McLeod brings elegant seasonal menus that reflect a career immersed in the cuisine from his time abroad. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 5.30pm-late and Friday lunch, from 12 noon-2pm.

SUSHI EDGE, 280 Richmond Road, T: 09 376 6218.

Sushi Edge is a takeaway or eat-in establishment serving a wide range of delicious sushi and sashimi options. Their servings are generous, everything is really tasty and well-seasoned, hot and freshly made. Their sashimi bento box, vegetarian tempura don and their lunch sushi boxes are all worth trying and are good value for money.

SUSHI WASABI, Shop 14, 1 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 8388 Situated next to Dorothy Butler’s Children’s Book Shop, Sushi Wasabi specialises in traditional sushi and nigiri. Their sushi is made with brown rice. This is a daytime restaurant and you can dine in or takeaway. They have a loyalty card too. Open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

SWEAT SHOP BREW, 7 Sale Street, T: 09 307 8148 www.sweatshopbrew.co.nz Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen is new to the Freemans Bay and Ponsonby landscape. With their crafty kitchen serving flame and smoke-licked meats, fresh Sweat Shop Brew Beer crafted by onsite brew man Rory, and of course live music every Friday and Saturday night.

SWEET HOME CAFE, 576 Great North Road, T: 09 361 1496 Nestled between Video Ezy, the chemist and ANZ, get your caffeine fix whilst doing those all important errands. Or choose from the all day breakfast menu; eggs on toast, pancakes or the Sweet Home big breakfast. Open Monday-Saturday, 7am -4pm and Sunday, 7am-2pm.

TAISHO YAKITORI BAR, 190 Jervois Road, T: 09 378 0746 Taisho Yakitori Bar serves both traditional and modern Japanese food. There are over 60 dishes to choose from, including sushi and sashimi, 15 different kinds of sake, as well as Japanese and local beer and wine. Owner, Taka Tsuji, is from Hiroshima where his parents have run a restaurant for over 34 years so he has grown up with traditional Japanese food and hospitality. Eat in or takeaway. Open Tuesday-Thursday, 6pm-10.30pm, Friday-Sunday, 5pm-11pm, Sunday, 9.30pm.

TARTINE, 38 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 6876, www.tartine.co.nz Tartine cafe is the new face of cafe People. More inviting with its visible and trendy look, warmer inside with a different colour scheme and a new outdoor seating arrangement, you will enjoy the Tartine atmosphere. Their food menu offers lots of exciting options and a brand new food cabinet will excite your appetite! Free parking and wifi are available. Also open from 4pm until late for after work drinks every Thursday and Friday. A great opportunity to taste their wines of the month with a cheese and charcuterie platter. Private functions and catering.

THAI CLASSIC RESTAURANT, 282 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 3389 www.thaiclassic.co.nz Thai Classic Restaurant has been running strong since 1994, specialising in authentic Thai cuisine. Flaming chicken and flaming beef are recommended dishes.

Enjoy indoor and outdoor seating, a relaxed and friendly ambience and wonderful views of the Waitakeres. Takeaways and delivery are available to Ponsonby locals.

Open 7 nights, 5.30pm-10.30pm.

THAI HOUSE RESTAURANT, 25 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 5912 www.thaihouse.co.nz Since 1993 Thai House Restaurant has been serving the finest quality Thai cuisine and taking pride in serving only quality and authentic ingredients, freshly prepared along with warm and personal service. Thai House has an intimate ambience, warmly decorated with traditional Thai décor. Fully licensed, BYO wine and takeaway. Open 7 nights, 5.30pm-10pm.

THAI ME UP, 244 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 9909, www.thaimeup.co.nz An excellent selection of curry, seafood, salads and vegetarian dishes, served in a lively atmosphere with friendly service. An extensive wine list complements the authentic Thai dishes and the outdoor area has room for up to 20 people and includes a private balcony with great views of the city. Open Wednesday-Saturday, 11.30am-2pm and dinner 7 nights, 5pm-late.

THAI SILVER, 186 Jervois Road, T: 09 360 0714, www.thaisilver.co.nz This is a small warm and welcoming restaurant with simple decor and deliciously cooked Thai food from an excellent chef. Their fans say it’s the excellent quality of the dishes that gives this new establishment its point of difference. Lunch Wednesday-Saturday, 11.30am-2.30pm. Dinner 7 nights, 5pm till late.

photography: Michael McClintock

THE BAKE POD, 498 Karangahape Road, T: 09 366 7633 The Bake Pod is a small cafe and bakery offering traditional homemade baking using quality ingredients. They offer a range of flavours of pies, sausage rolls, savouries, muffins baked daily. Lovely fresh sandwiches made daily and made to order. They offer catering and serve organic Fair Trade Organico coffee from Karajoz. Open Monday-Friday, 6:30am-4pm. Saturday, 7:30am-4pm.

THE BLUE BREEZE INN, Ponsonby Central, 146 Ponsonby Road T: 09 360 0303, www.thebluebreezeinn.co.nz Chef Che Barrington takes Auckland Asian dining to new levels, serving up the

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

THE CAV, 68 College Hill, T: 09 376 4230 www.thecav.co.nz As per its gastropub theme, The Cav offers bistro-quality food in a casual friendly environment. They offer an extensive menu featuring succulent, modern cuisine with an ethos of providing great value for money. Open Monday-Saturday, 11am-1am, Sunday 11am-11pm.

THE COFFEE BAR AT GLENGARRY VICTORIA PARK, 118 Wellesley Street T: 09 308 8319, www.glengarrywines.co.nz This is a funky fusion of great coffee, a takeaway lunch selection and a scrumptious selection of cakes, tarts and pastries. Grab a coffee and wander through the wine store, sit and catch up on breakfast TV or the day’s newspaper, or grab everything to go. Alongside the Coffee Bar at Glengarry Victoria Park is a function and events space which is available for hire with food catered by Didas. Open 7 days.

THE FAIRY SHOP CAFE, 79 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 1560 www.fairyshop.co.nz The Fairy Shop has a cafe serving home-made, old-fashioned food like Devonshire scones and lemon drizzle cakes.. Pre-book a cafe session class where littlies play with fairies and adults can relax in the cafe. Children’s parties, high tea and school holiday programmes also available with parking behind. Open 7 days, 9.30am -4.30pm.

THE FOOD ROOM, 250 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 2425 www.thefoodroom.co.nz Gourmet sandwiches, salads, wraps, homemade cakes and slices, organic coffee and ‘The Best Pies in Auckland’ award. The Food Room can cater for all kinds of parties and celebrations and is definitely worth a visit. Open Monday-Friday, 7.30am -4.30pm, Saturday, 8am-5pm and Sunday, 9am-5pm.

THE GARNET ROAD FOOD STORE, 162 Garnet Road, T: 09 376 8227 Known for their cinnamon brioche, The Garnet Road Food Store also makes their own salads, pies, cakes and sweet treats. Dine in or takeaway. Open Tuesday-Friday, 7.30am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday, 8am-4pm.

THE ITALIAN JOB, 242 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 2937 For over 22 years this family owned and operated restaurant has been serving delicious, authentic Italian food in a welcoming, cosy and rustic atmosphere and whether you’re a large group or it’s an intimate dinner for two, you will always experience warm friendly service. Takeaway pizza and pasta. Open Tuesday -Saturday, 6pm-10pm.

THE LATE NIGHT DINER, 152b Ponsonby Road, T: 09 361 2320 www.latenightdiner.co.nz The Late Night Diner is located beside Ponsonby Social Club. They serve classic diner fare, such as the cheese and bacon burger, onion rings and pumpkin pie, crispy skinned fish on popcorn grits and more. Vegetarian dishes are included in the menu along with a selection of craft beers and a generous wine and cocktail list. Opening at 5pm each day, food is served until as late as 2am, Thursday-Sunday.

THE PONSONBY SOCIAL CLUB, 152 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 361 2320 www.ponsonbysocialclub.co.nz Just like the RSA, but without the asparagus rolls or pokies. Live music and DJs throughout the week, check the website for details. Open 7 nights, 5pm-late.

THE RAW KITCHEN, 267 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 3062 www.therawkitchen.co.nz They opened their first stand-alone store earlier this year and have an ever-growing fan base of their signature raw cakes and sweets. The Ponsonby space is also home to their busy kitchen, cold-pressed juicery, office and an upcoming test kitchen and workshop due to be launched in mid 2015! Open Monday - Friday, 7am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday, 8am-4pm.

THE SURREY HOTEL, 465 Great North Road, T: 09 378 9059 www.thesurreyhotel.co.nz This local pub has a cosy atmosphere, friendly service and food available all day.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

There is a breakfast buffet, brunch, lunch and dinner menu as well as bar snacks and wood-fired pizza. Open 7 days, 7am-9.30pm.

THE WILLIAMSON CAFE, 1 Williamson Avenue, T: 09 360 1115 www.thewilliamson.co.nz Whether it’s for breakfast, lunch or brunch, The Williamson Cafe offers you a delicious menu or a range of cabinet food. They are fully licensed and a wonderful venue for a private function. Open 7 days, 7am-4pm.

THIRTY NINE, 39 Ponsonby Road T: 09 376 5008 Thirty Nine has been serving delicious all day breakfast and lunch since 2005. They use Fairtrade Allpress coffee and you can enjoy it in their lovely courtyard. Open 7 days, 7am-4pm.

TOKYO CLUB, Ponsonby Central, 136 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 8016 www.tokyoclub.co.nz Tokyo Club is ‘yokocho’ style Isakaya restaurant located in the heart of Ponsonby Central. Their Japanese family team includes well-known front of house manager Sarasa Shimura and Tokyo master blowfish-sushi chef Chikara Sato. They serve quality, affordable cuisine and beverages. With Asahi and Sapporo beers on tap and their own sakes brewed in Japan, this place has quickly become very popular.

TOM TOM BAR & EATERY, 27 Drake Street, T: 09 377 5737 www.tom-tom.co.nz Tom Tom Bar & Eatery is a gastrobar in the culturally and historically significant site of Victoria Park Market - live jazz bands every Sunday, 2pm-5pm. Open daily, 11.30am-late.

TOMO JAPANESE RESTAURANT, 334 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 4757 www.tomojapaneserestaurant.co.nz Tomo has been serving delicious Japanese food for more than 12 years. They are fully licensed with 10 different sakes or wine and beer to enjoy with your food. Their popular takeaway Lunch Box includes salad, tempura, rice, miso soup and your choice of meat or fish. BYO wine only. Open Monday, 10.30am-5pm and Tuesday -Saturday, 10.30am-10pm.

TORU, Ponsonby Central, 136 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 555 1229 www.toru.co.nz It’s new, it’s local and it’s serving breakfast, brunch and lunch. On the menu you will find fresh berries with buffalo yoghurt, baby basil and raw honeycomb, the ricotta pancakes with whipped salted caramel butter and vanilla sugar, and the colcannon with corned beef, sauerkraut, crème fraiche and poached eggs. A great coffee, freshly squeezed juice or smoothie from Toru will set you up for the day ahead.

TURKISH CAFE, 294 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 0468 www.turkishcafe.co.nz The Turkish Cafe serves fresh wholesome food inspired by Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine with a strong Turkish influence. There are set menus or they can tailor a menu to suit your tastes and the occasion you’re celebrating. Takeaway is available too. Open Monday-Thursday, 11am-10pm, Friday-Saturday, 11am-11pm.

TURKO CAFE, 22 Drake Street, T: 09 213 9528, www.turko.co.nz Nestled between Sale Street and Victoria Park Market, this is a nice spot for meeting up with friends or colleagues for breakfast or lunch. You can choose from their Mediterranean inspired menu or try their daily roast vegetable salad or feta and spinach filo from the cabinet. Open Monday-Friday, 7am-4pm.

URBAN JUNGLE, 571 Great North Road, T: 09 360 8470 www.urbanjunglecafe.co.nz For over 13 years, in the heart of Grey Lynn, Urban Jungle has been turning out consistently good food. They are fully licensed and BYO wine. Open 7 days, 7am -4pm, Thursday-Saturday, 6pm-late.

VIC PARK CAFE, Corner College Hill and Beaumont Street, T: 09 377 3399 Vic Park Cafe was born as an extension of a home and a friendship between an Irish barista doll, a crazy Mexican chef, and a Brazilian coffee, book and music lover. They are serious about good coffee, good food, good environment and good people.

A place to sit, laugh and enjoy. Open 7 days, 7am-3:30pm. continued P61 DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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A-Z CAFES & RESTAURANTS GUIDE

sensational flavours of regional China in the lush surrounds of a Pacific island paradise. In-house dumpling chefs fold and flip before your eyes, and every Sunday offers diners the mouth-watering Peking Duck special. Open 7 days, lunch and dinner, 12 noon-late.

PONSONBY LITTLE BLACK BOOK: A-Z CAFES + RESTAURANTS GUIDE

CHINA MEETS PARADISE “You can’t talk about The Blue Breeze Inn without mentioning our bbq pork buns. People are crazy about them,” laughs Mark Wallbank, talented restaurateur at Ponsonby favourite, The Blue Breeze Inn. In fact, the Blue Breeze bbq pork buns were voted Auckland’s favourite dish in the Metro Peugeot ‘People’s Choice’ Awards. “It was really humbling, actually,” says Mark.

“Hundreds and hundreds of our customers took the time to vote for them.”

The modern Pacific-Chinese eatery was opened at Ponsonby Central two years ago but Mark’s career in the kitchen began in The Ivy in London, returning to New Zealand to work in the kitchen at Bellamy’s in Parliament. It was there that Mark experienced a lightning bolt moment: “When I went from kitchen to front-of-house - I’d found my calling. And just the other week, all these years later, chef Che Barrington and I win ‘best restaurateurs’ and ‘best new restaurant’ for Woodpecker Hill at the Metro Peugeot Restaurant Awards,” says Mark with a smile. “I tell you - it’s a long way from peeling spuds at the back of the Ivy!” The inspiration behind the menu of The Blue Breeze Inn is the flavours of regional China and the freshness of Pacific produce.

“China is as vast as it is ancient, and there’s so many flavours and textures and techniques we’re still discovering,” explains Mark. “It’s such exciting food to be working with. My favourite dish is our pork and truffle dumpling - incredible flavours.”

And for dessert? “The banana soft serve,” Mark says firmly. “Soft serve ice cream is the best - it reminds people of their childhood, when you got given 50 cents by your mum to go buy something from Mr Whippy.”

Above: Mark Wallbank and Che Barrington Below: Kino and Suki It’s only grown-ups who can appreciate the Blue Breeze’s drinks menu however, with the standout at the moment being the Bananarama cocktail which comes in its very own tiki mug - see if you can guess the secret ingredient!

Along with English and Mandarin, there are four regional Chinese dialects at work in the kitchen, which is the domain of chef Che Barrington.. Che opened popular local restaurant MooChowChow in 2011, serving the Ponsonby strip with its first taste of modern Thai cuisine.

Chef Che loves the dynamic of the languages in the Blue Breeze kitchen, says Mark, “Because he’s always learning new stuff from the staff. We’re very proud of our dumpling chefs, Raymond and Kwan - they’re the original granddaddies of the Auckland dumpling scene that trained all the newcomers. And of course we’d be lost without Edwin, our new head chef - such a talented man.”

It’s true that a great meal can be so amazing that the memory stays for years and, for Mark, it was at Neil Perry’s Spice Temple in Sydney; it was an example of how much surroundings are integral to the experience of a meal - a restaurant is great food and beautiful decor.

“Spice Temple really gets it,” says Mark. “Red and black lacquer, stunning play of light and shadow, mouth watering food. My favourite dishes are the lamb and cumin pancakes, warm eggplant salad with three flavours.”

photography: Michael McClintock

And dining out isn’t just about getting fed and watered, it’s a chance to meet new people and to spend time with friends and family. “I think that’s becoming ever more important in this digital age. So our staff aren’t just good waiters, they’re also interesting people who are doing interesting things with their lives,” says Mark.

“Our favourite time of the year is Christmas, because we get to break out those giant Chinese lions and dragons. They’re full of drama and colour and I love the way they roar PN at the customers from the ceiling.” Mark laughs, “They also bring a lot of good luck!” F THE BLUE BREEZE INN, 146 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 360 0303 www.thebluebreezeinn.co.nz

58 PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2015

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

A-Z CAFES & RESTAURANTS GUIDE photography: Michael McClintock

The team at The Blue Breeze Inn The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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PHIL PARKER: WHOSE WINE IS IT ANYWAY?

Great whites A roundup of exceptional New Zealand white wines.

White wine is what we do best. Sure - pinot noir, syrah and other reds have their intermittent good years, but the overwhelming bulk of our acclaimed exports, year after year are white wines - pretty well hugely dominated by sauvignon blanc which represents about 75% of our grape plantings.

Having said that, given our cool climate, other more obscure white grapes deserve a mention. I have long been a fan of our (formerly unfashionable) chardonnay grape variety. We also do fantastic pinot gris, viognier, riesling, gewürztraminer and others.

Here is a selection of recent samples.

Ngatarawa Stables Hawkes Bay Pinot Gris 2014 $15 Pinot gris has become a hugely popular wine in New Zealand as a mid-range option on the scale from dry, crisp and citrusy sauvignon blancs - to oaky rounded soft buttery chardonnays. This one smells like citrus fruit and nectarine. In the mouth it has a full and generous palate, with ripe nectarine and stone fruit flavours. Yet it has a dry and crisp finish.

Pegasus Bay Waipara Gewürztraminer 2013 $29.50 A lovely complex style of gewürz. Barrel aged for a while and including some botrytised (ie, late picked and sweet) grape juice. Aromas of jasmine and spice, it opens out in the mouth with guava, quince and an off-dry finish.

Coopers Creek Hawkes Bay Limeworks Chardonnay 2014 $22 Aromas of toasty brioche, vanilla, toffee apple and some florals. Showing nice characters for such a young chardonnay, with soft acid, baba rhum, creamy yeast and vanilla. Mouth filling with a dry, lengthy finish.

Peacock Sky Chardonnay Waiheke 2014 $39 Smells like marzipan, vanilla and citrus. In the mouth - flavours of peach, apricot, mandarin, toast and toffee apple and a lovely lengthy palate. This one’s a keeper. Hide it for 3-4 years.

Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay 2013 $38.90 Aromas of grapefruit and spicy oak. Creamy and complex flavours of nectarine and mandarin with little a hint of clover honey.

Ransom Rousanne 2014 $26 Rousanne is a quite obscure French grape from the southern Rhône. Yet, north Auckland’s boutique Ransom Vineyard produces a tiny amount. Smells very complex - with toffee apple, funky spicy yeast and citrus lemon. Once swished around the mouth - complex and lush, mouth filling. Chardonnay-like, with crisp finish and lengthy palate.

PN (PHIL PARKER) F Phil Parker is a wine writer and operates Fine Wine Tours in Auckland. www.insidertouring.co.nz Read Phil’s Blog at nzwineblogger.blogspot.co.nz

60 PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2015

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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY ORGANIC FEIJOA SPARKLING WINE Leaving the hustle and bustle of Detroit Michigan in 1971, Dale DeMeulemeester and a group of young enthusiasts (hippies) had a dream to “grow organic fruit for the people”.

They bought a dairy farm in the Ahuroa Valley near Puhoi, 45 minutes north of Auckland, and Dale, with his family, have planted and grown the orchard, creating a beautiful place to live. Proud and humble Dale has been “growing organically since 1971”.

Dale DeMeulemeester of Lothlorien Winery

Dale’s son Eli established the winery on the property in 1993 and with winemaker Logan Petley has been producing the popular Feijoa Bubbly ever since. Certified organic and naturally lighter in alcohol, this wine holds a special place in the hearts of many good Kiwis. Capturing the tropical bouquet and unique flavour of the feijoa, the wine evokes memories of late summer afternoons, sitting beneath a feijoa tree and enjoying the delicious fruit.

Lothlorien Winery’s range includes three varieties of feijoa wine, fruit juices and a liqueur.

Feijoa wine is available in dry sparkling, medium sparkling and still, each refreshing summery and 9% alcohol.

Pure organic Portman’s Orange juice (New Zealand grapefruit) and Feijoa & Apple juice are available. Try the Feijoa & Manuka Honey Liqueur with soda and a lime twist or pour over vanilla bean ice cream... irresistible! F PN LOTHLORIEN WINERY, T: 09 422 5845 www.lothlorienwinery.co.nz Continued from P57 VINNIES BY GEOFF SCOTT, 166 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 5597 www.vinnies.co.nz Owner and head chef Geoff Scott creates modern New Zealand cuisine using respected French cooking techniques, inspired by indigenous Maori and classic Kiwi flavours and combinations. The restaurant is decorated using natural New Zealand products including native timbers and raw steel. The artworks adorning the walls change every four months giving a New Zealand artist an opportunity to showcase their works whilst providing guests with an ever changing back drop. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 6pm-late.

modern Chinese food. As well they have an amazing selection of pan fried and steamed dumplings - well worth coming in for! Open 7 days, Monday-Tuesday, from 5pm-late, Wednesday-Sunday, open for lunch 11am-late.

WAROENG LEGIANZ, Unit 25, 210-218 Victoria Street West T: 09 379 5058, www.waroenglegianz.co.nz From the famous chicken satay to more traditional dishes, Waroeng Legianz produces authentic food from different regions in Indonesia. The menu includes gado gado, Indonesian style salad with peanut sauce. Other dishes include nasi goreng, mie goreng, satay and gulai kambing. Open Monday-Saturday, 11am-3pm.

ZUS & ZO, 228 Jervois Road, T: 09 361 5060, www.zusandzo.net.nz This cafe continues to have a solid menu, tasty counter treats and consistently friendly service. It’s a favourite with the locals and has undergone some exciting changes!

They’re now licensed to serve wine and beer, and the Albany Room provides a quiet, bright and stylish space, perfect for business meetings or large groups looking for a private venue for any occasion. Open Monday-Friday, 7am-3pm, weekends and public holidays, 8am-3pm.

WILDER + HUNT, 65 Mackelvie Street, T: 09 378 8470 www.wilderandhunt.co.nz They specialise in REAL FOOD, this is nutrient dense food; no grain, no sugar, no artificial anything. They are about convenience health food, providing breakfast, lunch, dessert and take-home meals for the family or a romantic dinner for two. You can also drop in for a coffee or smoothie. Open 7 days, 7am-7pm.

YUZU JAPANESE RESTAURANT, 145 Ponsonby Road T: 09 378 6040 For over 21 years, with his passion for food, Geeyong Chris Chung has been involved in creating Japanese cuisine with his beautifully presented authentic Japanese dishes.

They offer Japanese beer, sake and wine. They offer a great variety of vegetarian options. Open for lunch, dinner and takeaways from Monday-Saturday.

WOK EXPRESS, 236 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 4457 www.wokexpress.co.nz Wok Express is a quality Asian takeaway experience with a difference. They specialise in fresh, delicious, healthy, authentic Thai and Chinese food, cooked fresh to order and in generous portions! You can pick up or they can deliver to you. Open 7 days, 4.30pm-10pm.

XIAO DAN RESTAURANT & BAR, 161 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 378 9908 www.xiaodan.wooh.nz Situated in the heart of Ponsonby, Xiao Dan serves a fusion of traditional and The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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JULIE BONNER: NEWS FROM FROG POND FARM How lucky have we been with our autumn weather, gorgeous, mild sunny days?

We have been so spoilt. I don’t mind the thought of donning winter gear though and enjoying the crackle of a log fire. Winter is knocking on the door, the weather is slowly changing, which means it is time to get cracking in the garden.

My pathetic hot compost has been turned yet again, I’m ever hopeful that it will eventually breakdown as it should, but I won’t hold my breath.

Do you have weekends when things go wrong? Like diesel going into the petrol ATV, or tree netting getting wrapped around tractor mowing blades? Wasn’t me... cough, cough.

I didn’t plant leeks last year, but decided it was time for some tasty winter casseroles, so I poked 30 in the ground a few weeks back. The bed was cleared of spent vegetation and then I added homemade cold compost with aged horse poo and coffee grounds, a brilliant combo. I opted not to broad fork the soil for a couple of reasons - firstly I prefer no-dig gardening and secondly, the soil was nice and friable. Good! So digging trenches, I placed the leeks into these and then covered them with soil just over the v in their stem.

I used to drop them into holes and water them in, but decided I would try something different and see how good it goes. Truth is, they will get eaten no matter what colour their stem is! I still need to add mulch and then the job is done.

My ‘peasy’ peas have shoved aside the soil and are slowly growing skywards. I’m waiting for them to hook onto the trellis and haul themselves up. I have been dousing them with seaweed brew and giving them some good growing pep talks.

The brassica, beetroot and bright light seedlings are doing a fine job of growing. They are still a good few weeks away from making it into the big wide world. They need to be hardened up before planting.

Our garden harvests have slowed down considerably although I’m still grabbing herbs, lettuce, chillies, spinach and spuds. Speaking of the latter, I was prepping a bed for a cover crop of blue lupins when much to my surprise a spud rolled down the bank.

It didn’t take me long to get down on hands and knees and start ferreting in the soil.

I hauled out a couple of kilogrammes of potatoes, which by the way were very tasty, perfect mashed and topped on a Guinness and beef pie which we enjoyed that night.

I have also been pickling jalapeños and made a nice fiery chilli sauce with some habanero chillies that I had oven roasted and popped in the freezer for later. Perfect!

We are still munching on homegrown garlic, red onions and Egyptian walking onions which I have boxes of and we are also enjoying bananas from a bunch that is hanging in the garage - the chooks don’t mind them either.

Our feijoas are finally getting to size, something to do with the rain we have been having lately. The only problem is the wildlife is also enjoying them, so it is a race to haul them in before they get chomped.

We have also been sharing our quinces with the bird life, something that really annoys me. So these were picked and brought indoors where they are ripening in the kitchen.

I have poached some with star anise, cloves and cinnamon sticks, which will be perfect with in a crumble with those yummy feijoas.

There is always loads to do and my to do list never seems to get done, what about yours?

• • • • • • •

Finish pruning all the peach and plum trees No olive harvest this year, so our hairy trees need a serious haircut Weed and feed Keep sowing more beetroot seeds - I’m onto this succession planting Buy another sage plant and poke it into the dirt, I love sage with carbonara pasta Keep any eye on the carrots that got sowed rather late Dig out the last bed of spuds, the garlic is going in here next and its time to prep the soil • I now have a worm farm! Yay, so I’m enjoying feeding and talking to the slimeys that PN will be supplying me with vermicast and worm juice. Perfect! (JULIE BONNER) F If you are interested in more news from our place, or perhaps some gardening tips, then make sure you visit my blog www.frogpondfarm.co.nz

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LIZ WHEADON: WINE, GLORIOUS WINE

Bordeaux En Primeur 2014 I have just returned from Europe, where one of the things I attended was the En Primeur tasting week in Bordeaux.

What is Bordeaux En Primeur in one short sentence? The selling of Bordeaux wines whilst still in the barrel for arrival into New Zealand in two years’ time. There’s been much written in the international media about En Primeur for many reasons. As someone who ‘participates’ in the process, I’m delighted to share my thoughts.

So what is the process? For the En Primeur week the wines are still in barrel, the final blends are not yet prepared, though the winemakers have an idea of what they will be.

During the week the samples tasted are essentially cask samples to represent the final wine. Which leads to a curious question: would we go and taste Hawkes Bay red wines in barrel and offer them at that stage? Or commit to purchasing them then? We don’t, though not necessarily because we would not. Bordeaux has itself one of the best pieces of marketing in the wine trade.

En Primeur is not a new process and to understand why and how it exists, a little history assists. There are many references to selling Bordeaux in bottle, including the famous Ho Bryan - Haut Brion - the only wine sold at The Sign of Pontac’s head eating house in London in the 17th Century. So popular, patrons would ask to secure allocations in advance.

The role of the Negociant in Bordeaux is intertwined with the region in so many ways. The Negociants, in establishing themselves in Bordeaux, were first and foremost business men, though not from Bordeaux. Early Negociants were of German, English and Dutch descent. Seen by the Châteaux as outsiders, a middle man was required - giving rise to the role of a courtier.

At this time Negociants bought wine in cask, straight after the grapes had been vinified; the Negociant would blend and bottle. It was not until in the 1920s when Philippe de Rothschild led the charge and was the first Château to estate bottle. He quickly convinced all the first growths to estate bottle; the Negociants still bought the wine straight after it was vinified, though left it with the Châteaux to care for it and bottle it. Initially it was only the five first growths, then in 1967 all classified growths were required to estate bottle (all French wines followed suit shortly after).

the top prices of a selected few unfortunately has cast a shadow over the rest. As for tasting cask samples, you are tasting a young wine that is created by the winemaker to represent the final wine. Experience shows that these final wines don’t vary greatly from the samples reviewed. Comparing scores given by critics of these samples and the final wines show very little difference other than usually a point or two upwards.

There are a lot of people who bemoan the process, particularly the United Kingdom trade, for whom in good years En Primeur is financially very important. There have been many calls from media for En Primeur to be re worked, done differently. Yet these same people turn up in droves each year to taste the wines, the curiosity gets them every time.

En Primeur is a fascinating process, one that creates a huge amount of media attention and discussion when you think about time spent on marketing brain storming sessions to find a point of difference and how much effort is put in to create a clever campaign to stand out from the crowd and the marketing dollars required to do so. The Bordelaise have a system that works, the vintage is reviewed, analysed, discussed and communicated. En Primeur is really, an excellent piece of wine marketing that works.

Glengarry sells Bordeaux En Primeur and has a website dedicated to it www.enprimeur.co.nz - where you can see the details of my tasting in Bordeaux, the 2014 vintage report and register to become involved in En Primeur. You can also read PN more about it on www.aboutwine.co.nz (LIZ WHEADON) F

The Negociants carried all the costs of these stocks and aged them until they were ready for sale. It was not until the financial hard times of 1974 that, to relieve some financial pressure, the Negociants started to sell the wines whilst in barrel at the Châteaux to retailers globally, marking the birth of the En Primeur system we know today.

There is a lot of discussion in the media about En Primeur, those who question the relevance of rating cask samples, those who question the processes validity. Overall, it is a system that works. Is it a system that provides excellent return on investment?

It certainly has over the years and may do in the future. Whilst some have looked up to and will continue to consider Bordeaux for the investment potential, these are great fine wines for enjoying and drinking. The so called ‘lesser’ vintages often mature earlier and represent excellent midterm cellaring potential. Have the prices gone too high? With the exceptional quality of the 2009s and 2010s, the prices did reach new levels. Since then, the very top producers have maintained a certain relatively high price level. Not all wines are at this level and there’s a bracket of ‘top’ wines below the 30 or so ‘very top’ producers that represent excellent value and are great wines. The shadow cast by

64 PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2015

Liz Wheadon busy tasting

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY GLENGARRY - THE STORY SO FAR Where did our name come from? ‘Dida’ is Croatian for grandfather, with the Dida’s stores a tribute to the vision and determination of our grandfather, Josef, who founded the original Glengarry back in the 1940s.

The Balkans region has a long and battlescarred history; after WWI, a young Josef Jakicevich decided to look for a new life, travelling by boat to New Zealand to work as a stonemason. When he stepped off the gangway in Auckland his sole possession was the handful of change in his pocket, his English was rudimentary and he had no more than a passing knowledge of the country that was to shape the rest of his life. He was 20.

By working with fierce determination, Josef managed to save enough money to buy 10 acres in West Auckland’s Glengarry Road in Oratia. There he planted a vineyard, setting the foundation for Josef Jakicevich, Dida a thriving and enduring family business. In 1948 Josef was granted one of the first two wine-resellers licences issued in Auckland, which he applied to the greengrocery he had previously opened at the corner of Jervois Road and Blake Street.

That address became the very first Glengarry wine store, and also where the first Dida’s Wine Lounge was launched. From the opening of the greengrocery doors to the establishment of the first Dida’s in June 2005 is a lengthy 65 years involving four generations of the Jakicevich family, much of it devoted to the development of the still family owned and operated Glengarry business.

The changes in the way New Zealanders buy and consume wine has changed dramatically in that time, and we’ve adhered to Dida’s principles and pioneering spirit, anticipating and embracing change wherever we can to ensure we continue to bring the latest and the best directly to our ever-growing band of loyal wine enthusiasts. The Dida’s concept has grown from that ethos. Witnessing the effects of more and more Kiwis expanding both their vinous and culinary horizons, we have used the skills we’ve learned in wine retail, combined with the relationships we’ve established in the best food and wine regions in the world, to deliver an experience where high quality wines meet their PN culinary match. (LIZ WHEADON) F

ISSUE ONE

Glengarry has been a long term PN advertiser and were featured on the front cover of issue 1, published in 1989.

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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY TALKING TO: LITTLE ISLAND’S JAMES CROW “We like things simple, so when we couldn’t find a dairy-free milk alternative we actually liked, we went back to basics...”

The above is the official word from Tommy Holden and James Crow of Tommy & James fame, who started out making dairy-free, organic, Fairtrade ice blocks after hours at a Point Chevalier cafe kitchen under the name Nice Blocks several years ago. Next came coconut cream-based ice blocks and, as of last month Little Island Coconut Drinking Milk, which is vegan and paleo and has a very short ingredient list that includes 12% coconut cream, purified water, organic acacia and guar gum and natural vanilla extract.

When I sit down for lunch with James at Grey Lynn’s Kokako it is immediately apparent that the pair are still doing things their way, but with a serious business plan as well as their essential ethos firmly in place. They had a clear plan to move their business out of the freezer and into the chiller, “and we started looking at yoghurt first of all but it is just so hard to do really well”, explains Crow.

“Coconut yoghurt is a really rich treat as opposed to a staple due to its high fat content, and we wanted to make a product that was exactly the same as the dairy alternative.” Instead, they took premium coconut cream and made it into a delicious, healthy and refreshing coconut drinking milk that is perfect for coffee, smoothies, muesli and wherever else you like your milk, whether or not you are vegan or dairy free.

He says that many of the coconut yoghurt products on the market “are basically a can of coconut cream and some probiotics, and I wouldn’t want my kids chugging that down every day,” any of the health benefits would most definitely be outweighed by the negatives. “Our coconut drinking milk has the same fat content as blue top milk,” he adds with a laugh, “but better because it’s one of our products!”

The pair specifically put the word ‘drinking’ on the label to differentiate it from the traditional coconut milk in a can, which is predominantly used for cooking. “We had to really spell it out,” says Crow, “because it’s designed to be used wherever you would normally use milk.

Coconut cream has to be 22 per cent fat so as to be similar to cream, whilst traditional coconut milk is around 12 per cent, so is perfect for making your curries creamy and stuff like that. That’s four times the fat of blue top milk though, which makes it pretty intense and not something you want to add to your coffee or drink straight.”

The company won an innovation award last year for their delicious coconut ice cream, “which is a pretty big honour considering that we live in a dairy-focused country”, says James. The prize included $10k worth of time at The FOODBOWL, an open access facility operated by NZ Food Innovation Auckland, which is part of the NZ Food Innovation Network (a national network of science and technology resources created to support the growth of Food & Beverage businesses, by providing both facilities and expertise).

The FOODBOWL was designed as a facility where companies can produce commercial runs of new products for trial marketing, and the time Little Island spent there was integral to their Coconut Drinking Milk’s development and early success. “It was absolutely invaluable,” says James, “especially as it helped us work out what we needed

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in place to really make the thing work. We didn’t have a bottling line for example, or any idea what kind we needed.”

By Christmas they had a limited number of bottles ready for tasting, and took it away on family holidays and whatnot to get an idea of how they were faring in the flavour department. It got two thumbs up from both young and old, and after making further investment it was time for it to hit the shelves in April.

I personally love that it has a remarkably low price at $7.99, making it substantially cheaper than many premium nut milks and an affordable option for families. “And we want to make it more affordable again,” says James, who sees the product as comparable to dairy and wants to be able to offer it as such. “We also want to take it internationally, so it has to be still a viable product to buy after the likes of export taxes have been added,” he says. “We want to be a global business and take our products into another market early next year, it’s important to us that we get every element right.”

The company are sourcing their coconuts from the Philippines, with a plan to transfer that business to Samoa when the Pacific Island nation invests further in a coconut processing facility. “At the moment they don’t process coconuts beyond canned coconut cream,” explains James, “which is the simplest process and traditional process. We require a much more stable and continuous process for what we need to use the coconuts for and didn’t want to push them to move too quickly and risk anything going wrong.” They have instead established weekly contact and discussion until they can get a new facility built, and to be certified Fairtrade as well. “We eventually want all of our products to be both organic and Fairtrade,” says James with a smile, “and we will work any way we can to make that happen.”

Little Island Coconut Drinking Milk is available from Farro Fresh, Harvest Wholefoods, Huckleberry Farm and New World Victoria Park and Remuera, with more stockists soon PN to come. (HELENE RAVLICH) F

Little Islands’ Tommy and James

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

GARY STEEL: VEG FRIENDLY

Broken beak The story of the humble chicken...

It’s been galling over the past few weeks reading about just how willing the bosses at TV3 are to kill off Campbell Live, the last example of locally made current affairs television that raises genuine issues, tries to get answers and, sometimes, even results.

What’s been so profoundly disappointing has been the way John Campbell’s detractors have come out of the woodwork to label him ‘leftist’, as if that was akin to making sweet love with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un.

This is especially annoying in light of just how superficial and mild a lot of Campbell Live’s content is. In a media environment where right wing egotism is the tolerated without a murmur of dissent, Campbell goes out of his way to be balanced, and reasonable. Far from being too left wing or extreme, the programme seldom went far enough.

Here’s an example of a Campbell Live investigation that hardly scratched the scab off a travesty: late last year, the programme featured a short series that was described as everything you need to know about chickens. What that meant was that the reporter was shown a battery egg operation and then a free-range operation, both run by one of New Zealand’s larger egg companies. It was a whitewash. We got to listen to company executives blab on about balancing hen welfare with the needs of consumers and the laws of economics and all that jazz.

What the programme stopped well short of was telling the whole story. It failed to mention that these egg-producing chickens are the result of many years of crossbreeding to create a hen that will make an egg a day - something that chickens were not designed for, and which puts such a strain on the hen’s system that it’s left vulnerable to slow, painful death when eggs break up inside the chook, causing peritonitis. It failed to mention that these egg-producing machines were bred from chickens painfully raped by especially violent roosters. It failed to mention that the cute yellow balls of fluff that were unlucky to be born male would be literally thrown into machines that mash them up into pulp to be used in pet food and sausage rolls. And unforgivably, it failed to mention that after 18 months of valiant service providing us with her eggs, and irrespective of whether she’s a battery caged or free-range chicken, she will be culled.

Because hens naturally have a break in their reproductive cycle for three months, human economics dictate that all the 18-month-old chooks are eradicated and replaced with a new batch of young hens. That’s where the increasingly well-known ‘rescued’ hens come from: animal welfare groups pleading with farmers to donate or sell their birds instead of snuffing out their life force. But typically, when a ‘rescue’ takes place, little notice is given of an upcoming cull, and only a few hundred of perhaps as many as 10,000 birds can reasonably be saved. A recent newsletter from one Auckland hen rescue group mentioned the way battery farm workers intentionally injured some of the hens by throwing them so hard that they broke their wings or legs, sadistic behaviour that no one is willing (or it seems able) to do anything about.

But wait, there’s more! While Campbell Live has peeked inside the hellish world of the relatively well publicised battery chicken, it’s never seen fit to tell us about the life of the sad chickens that end up on our plates. These abominations have been bred to have so much muscle and fat on their frames that they can barely walk, and when a few have been given a life reprieve, the story always ends badly: they’re such a grotesque creation that even in the best conditions, life expectancy is seldom more than a year.

The broiler chicken, as it happens, lives only a couple of months before it’s slaughtered and processed for human consumption; sold as a healthy option but is really quite the opposite. This Frankenchicken is more likely a health risk. Having been kept alive with vast quantities of antibiotics, the meat itself is vulnerable to all the nasty bacteria that can give us food poisoning and even kill us. How many secret herbs and spices you want with that?

I like Campbell Live, a lot. But frankly, it’s already compromised by the dictates of prime time television, and the real story of the humble chicken - a marvellous bird that also happens to be the most maligned and ill-treated of all creatures - is still waiting to be PN told. (GARY STEEL) F Do you run a cafe or restaurant that does vegetarian really well? If so, let me know on the email below. We’ll be sure to check out your eatery. And don’t be shy, okay?

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

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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY THE VEG FRIENDLY CHALLENGE Finalist: Marcello’s Caffe & Restaurant

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?

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.

There’s something different about Marcello’s. I couldn’t put my finger on it at first, and it took a while to sink in.

I pondered this while I supped on a super-strong soy latte and waited for Martin to bolt in the door out of the inclement weather. Then it hit me: it’s the genuine warmth that exudes from Marcello and his staff, a warmth that goes beyond the usual customer interface, and can’t help but make your experience here just that little bit special.

Marcello created this wee haven seven years ago under an apartment block on the slope up College Hill, but the guy isn’t showing any of the deeply etched tiredness or detachment you often encounter in marathon cafe managers. Yep, Marcello’s is friendly, and famously gay -friendly too, but is it vegetarian friendly? The answer to that would have to be in the affirmative.

The menu is around 20% vegetarian, which is way better than batting average, but they will bend over backwards to eliminate unwanted elements from menu items. That’s the great thing about an establishment that actually wants to please its clientele, an establishment that actually cares.

Martin started with a striking-looking berry smoothie, and then we dug into the three for-sharing vegetarian plates that Marcello recommended. The first was described as ‘Israeli couscous served with roasted seasonal vegetables, halloumi and spinach, tossed in a tomato pesto’. The second: ‘Home smoked mushroom and shallot ravioli with spinach and almond pesto cream and salad.’ The third: ‘Pan-fried halloumi served with roast seasonal vegetables, mixed lettuce and tomato and red onion’. Worth $20, $15 and $18 respectively, the three dishes were all hearty and filling and full of flavour.

Halloumi has become a staple of inner city menus, but few do it as well as this: Marcello’s halloumi was perfectly crisp and tasty on the outside and warm and soft on the inside, and added a wow-factor to two of the dishes.

My favourite was the couscous, which was packed with flavour and goodness and felt nicely balanced. The panfried halloumi was next best, and the salad element was a welcome antidote to the rich creaminess of our least favourite dish, the home smoked mushroom, which was delicious, but could have done with a pinch or two less of salt.

an outdoor area, as well as a glass-protected inner sanctum for those who want a meeting away from the babble of patrons and the roar of an espresso machine.

The three dishes were a good deal more filling than they looked on the plate, and despite their deliciousness, we couldn’t get anywhere near to finishing them, which necessitated a doggy box, and came in handy for an evening feed. Reheated, as is so often the case, the food seemed even better to my hungry taste buds.

While there are undoubtedly more refined and rarefied eating experiences in Auckland, Marcello’s offers something a bit different in a cafe: a real sense of community. And although it’s not explicitly vegetarian oriented, they really go that extra mile to accommodate everyone’s needs.

Marcello’s has a full breakfast and lunch menu, and they both run concurrently, so you can get pretty much anything you want - with a wine on the side if you’re feeling dangerous - anytime you want it. Sadly, they don’t open nights, but are a popular option for private bookings.

Final word: when I left, Marcello gave me such a bracing man-hug that I heard my spine click. I won’t need that PN osteopathic treatment after all. (GARY STEEL) F

The cafes low ceilings make it seem rather small, but in fact they’ve recently expanded their seating, and there’s

MARCELLO’S CAFFE & RESTAURANT, 28 College Hill, T: 09-361-2600. Open Mon-Fri, 6.30am-4pm, Sat, 7am-4pm, Sun, 8am-4pm.

Do you run a cafe or restaurant in the Ponsonby/Grey Lynn area that does vegetarian really well? If so, let me know on the email below. We’ll be sure to check out your eatery.

And don’t be shy, okay?

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

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD Vogel’s and Dick Frizzell team up to create a new NZ favourite.

Vogel’s is excited to announce the release of a unique, limited-edition packaging for its original loaves after a special collaboration between two of NZ’s original favourites - Vogel’s and celebrated New Zealand artist Dick Frizzell.

The duo has teamed up to create a series of limited-edition Vogel’s packaging based on artwork exclusively designed and hand-painted by Dick Frizzell.

The new packaging is a fresh take on Vogel’s widely-recognised traditional label, and will give New Zealanders the chance to own a unique piece of Frizzell artwork - for the price of a loaf of Vogel’s.

“Vogel’s came to me and asked, ‘What would Dick Frizzell do with Vogel’s?’ says Dick Frizzell. “My answer was that I didn’t want to mess with New Zealand’s favourite bread brand because it’s already so good - so I just created my version of it.

“For me, it’s an idea that was meant to be, as this isn’t the first time we’ve created art together. Vogel’s and I have a long and interesting history, and I hope New Zealand likes it,” he continues.

To celebrate the partnership, Vogel’s is giving away one signed artist’s proof of the Vogel’s | Frizzell packaging print, along with thousands of other prizes.

Vogel’s bread is known as a ‘natural masterpiece’ for its use of carefully-selected whole ingredients and has long been a staple in Kiwi pantries.

In addition, it has been voted New Zealand’s most trusted bread brand by both the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand Awards and the AC Nielson Consumer Choice Awards.

Dick Frizzell is one of New Zealand’s most-loved artists, best known for his iconic piece Mickey to Tiki, which sold for a record $110,000 in 2013 and has sold over 30,000 prints in total.

His work is known for its kitsch, pop cartoon look and Kiwiana style, which is reflected in the new Vogel’s packaging.

For this special project, Dick hand-drew the entire Vogel’s label, including the famous Vogel’s wheat stook and Vogel’s logo, before hand-painting it using ink and gouache.

He then oversaw the scrupulous transformation from painting to digital artwork, which will replace the existing packaging of just 1 million Vogel’s Original Mixed Grain Toast, Sandwich and Extra Thin loaves.

The collaboration was also inspired by the pair’s joint belief that artwork should be enjoyed by all and that everyday objects can be turned into art.

“Vogel’s is a Kiwi classic, so collaborating with one of New Zealand’s favourite artists to transform our packaging into a new Kiwi masterpiece is an amazing opportunity,” says Jo Sutherland, Vogel’s Marketing Manager.

Each loaf will come with a unique code to enter online at www.vogels.co.nz, giving New Zealanders the chance to win the signed original artist’s proof of the Vogel’s | Frizzell artwork.

In addition, there are 20 limited edition Vogel’s | Frizzell prints, 100 reusable Vogel’s sandwich wrappers and 2000 sustainable jute shopping bags up for grabs.

Vogel’s | Frizzell loaves will be available to purchase while stocks last at any Vogel’s retailer New Zealand-wide, including supermarkets, dairies, service stations and Four PN Squares for RRP$4.99. F

DON’T MISS

THE JUNE PONSONBY

NEWS+ DEADLINE

JUNE SPECIAL FEATURES + HOME INTERIORS & RENOVATIONS + SUSTAINABILITY + HEALTHY FOOD + MAINTAINING GOOD HEALTH (FOCUS ON TEETH & EYES)

COPY DEADLINE: Wednesday 20 May PUBLISHED: Friday 5 June

PREMIUM POSITIONS AVAILABLE TO BOOK ADVERTISING: Jo Barrett on 021 324 510 or Angela Martin on 0274 108 320 t: 09 361 3356 or 09 378 8553 e: joannebarrett@xtra.co.nz e: ponsnewsnz@gmail.com w: www.ponsonbynews.co.nz

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LAURAINE JACOBS: THE SEASONED PALATE

Wooden Board Kitchen Lauraine Jacobs discovers a socially conscious restaurateur on the wild side...

Auckland’s restaurant scene gets more eclectic every year. We’ve enjoyed a dream run of new places opening; mega-budgets have fuelled some of the most glitzy and expensive fit-outs we have ever clamped eyes on, clever celebrity chefs have danced on our tastebuds, we’re eating out more than ever and spending lots on satisfying our hungry appetites.

So it was a relief to happen upon a total little gem that answers to none of the above.

At number 4 Upper Queen Street, no further than you could pitch a wholemeal bread roll from the intersection of K’Road, Queen Street and Upper Queen Street, there’s an almost hole-in-the-wall restaurant, Wooden Board Kitchen. It is the domain of Anto Riswantono, one of the most shy, yet honest and endearing chefs I have ever met. He has run the place with his wife for more than two years and it is dismaying to me that I had not heard of it until I spied him on a segment of Seven Sharp (more of that later).

Anto was born in Indonesia and arrived in New Zealand with his family when he was 11 years old. His family have moved on to Australia, but luckily for us he is firmly committed to the Auckland scene. He opened his own gig after supervising the kitchens for a cafe group that have sites around the city.

His aim is to provide really good food, cooked home-style. So this is the place to head to when you want a decent honest meal, don’t want to be bothered by trying to work out what’s on your plate, or wonder just who is that show-off over there making all that noise? The restaurant reeks of simplicity. Twinkly little fairy lights guide you down into this Aladdin’s cave and you will immediately feel comfortable and unthreatened by the tiled floor, wooden tables, cushions on the chairs and cutlery placed graciously in a tin so you can set your own place.

vol au vent. If you want really fine wine, take your own but on the rather restricted wine list we found a couple of lovely glasses, including a citrusy and light Spy Valley chardonnay.

I have popped in for lunch too which is offered Wednesday to Friday from noon to 3pm. On that blackboard menu, the choices are a beefy burger, a ‘hot dog’ and several stunning ficelle sandwiches stuffed with fresh vegetables and beautifully cooked meat for $13. They may be the best sandwiches in town and fully deserve the statement on the lunch menu: “Because You Deserve a Better Lunch.”

This is a lovely little humble restaurant tucked away that’s worth going to when you are not seeking bright lights and action. I have such admiration for this chef, but (at the risk of incurring his wrath) I need to say that Anto has such a warm heart he cooks one night a week for the homeless, delivering meals directly to them in the streets and using ingredients that are all voluntarily donated, and assembling a team of people to help who arrive by word of mouth. Go to his Facebook page ‘Cooks for the People’ to learn far more than I should be saying. You may even be moved to help! Open: Dinner, Mon to PN Sat from 5.30pm, Lunch, Wed to Fri, 12 noon to 3pm. F WOODEN BOARD KITCHEN, 4 Upper Queen Street, T: 09 309 2775 www.woodenboardkitchen.co.nz (LAURAINE JACOBS MNZM) www.laurainejacobs.co.nz

Anto was given an old cookbook by a family member, who had collected her favourite recipes over the years and written them up, aided by an old typewriter, before pasting the pages together. The aim was for him to utilise these recipes in his restaurant. He has put them to very good use; pinning them on the wall for all to share in a stunningly original display, and I’d be surprised if diners couldn’t recognise some of their own family favourites there. Decorating the opposing wall is a totally random collection of framed pictures, photos and paintings that make a delightful display to ponder as you sit and eat.

Over the top of the kitchen pass a blackboard reveals specials of the day and other information. That’s where we learned about the fish of the day; a gleaming piece of fresh terakihi, cooked until the skin was just crisp and garnished with a generous pile of seasonal vegetables including red onion, corn, leafy greens and those amazing Curious Cropper tomatoes that are popping up in every kitchen that cares. Simple and deliciously tasty.

Crunchy braised pork with kumara gnocchi and cabbage

From the menu there’s a choice of entrees that range from the very popular beetroot tart that’s been there since day one, an assortment of ‘sea creatures’ lightly dusted and fried, pan seared scallops that I loved with cauliflower puree and crunchy little bits of steamed cauli, buttermilk free-range chicken tenders with aioli and lemon, to a vegetarian option, the hand-made ravioli that’s simply tossed in brown butter, and filled with pine nuts and parmesan.

Main courses are as aforementioned, just the sort of food you would expect in the kitchen of a very good home cook. Lovely braised pork fell apart and was paired with freshly made kumara gnocchi and fennel and savoy cabbage. There’s half a free range chicken roasted with lemon and thyme on garlic mash with pan gravy. A Waikato lamb shoulder is served on cauliflower puree with roasted vegetables and capsicum relish, while the Angus skirt steak comes with garlic and herb roasted spuds and vegetables and chimmichuri. And hello! Here’s meatball spaghetti made with Angus beef and served with parmesan and pesto, so take the kids but take them early, please! Thoughtful vegetarian options included a rotolo made with free-range eggs and stuffed with pumpkin, aubergine and spinach.

Does this sound like comfort food from home? It is indeed, and it will not break the bank either. Prices of entrees hover around the $12-$14 mark and mains are from $26 for that chicken and then spiral down to $22. Wonderful value for money.

The puddings are also old favourites; apple crumble topped with a muesli-like crust and ice cream, sticky date pudding, banana fritter, warm chocolate lava pudding and a lemon curd

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Here is a stunning buttermilk chicken tender sandwich PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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EAT, DRINK + BE MERRY TASTY OPTIONS FOR MOTHER’S DAY Indulge your mum this Mother’s Day with delicious treats and fabulous artisan gifts!

Start your Mother’s Day with the Sabato ready-to-bake French pastries accompanied by their finest fruit preserves and a cup of coffee; simple yet special, not to mention delicious.

Our ‘Hamper for Her’ is the perfect gift for Mother’s Day. The hamper includes decadent Valrhona chocolate, Julie Le Clerc Arabian date chutney, melting moments from the Sabato Kitchen and Harney & Sons Paris tea. There’s also a charming ‘relax’ mug by British ceramic designer Keith Brymer Jones, so that mum can have something to enjoy for years to come.

If you’re after something unique for your mum, choose your own selection of scrumptious chutneys and sweet treats, the Julie Le Clerc condiment range is a guaranteed great gift and you can’t go past the Leone fruit jellies.

For a truly exceptional gift, surprise her with a stunning Rachel Carley platter or maybe some Spanish terracotta tapas dishes filled with jars of sweet garlic, cornichons and olives.

All gifts are beautifully gift wrapped and can be delivered nationwide.

For more fabulous Mother’s Day gift ideas and delicious recipes visit the Sabato website PN www.sabato.co.nz F SABATO Limited, 57 Normanby Road, Mt Eden, T: 09 630 8751, www.sabato.co.nz

ANY PAGE IN PONSONBY NEWS IS A GOOD PLACE TO BE SEEN

72 PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2015

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PINK RIBBON LUNCH AT PONSONBY CENTRAL After last year’s resoundingly successful Pink Ribbon Breakfast at Maldito Mendez, Sarah Ginella and Richie Stott have got together again, this time to put on a Pink Ribbon lunch in Ponsonby Central’s function venue The Sapphire Room.

Sarah comes from three generations of women who have been affected by breast cancer. She shrugs off her own personal experience with the illness, saying, “You’ve just got to get on with it, get your life back, but at the same time you are changed. I met so many amazing people; the supporters, the volunteers, people who give so much of themselves to help. When you are out the other side you want to give back too.”

Sarah is quick to stress that the important thing is not just the treatment of cancer but prevention. “What’s great about the Pink Ribbon Breakfast initiative is that you know

that 100% of the money you raise will go straight towards breast cancer research.

Research which could one day help your sister, your mother, your friend or your daughter.

Richie, who was driven to put the first event together after losing a close friend to breast cancer, wants this one to be just as fun, informal, and a great networking opportunity.

“This is a wonderful way to get us all together to remember the loved ones we have lost, celebrate the ones that have won, and create more awareness of breast cancer.”

Sarah and Nico of Maldito Mendez will again put on a spectacular array of food, there’ll be beautiful wine, goodie bags, a silent auction and entertainment. Last year’s breakfast, which raised $10,500 was the top PRB fundraiser in the country! This year they are raising the bar with a larger event and aiming for a target of $15,000. You can help by donating straight to the fundraising page (see link below) or by bidding for some of the fantastic prizes on our online auctions (check the Facebook page for details).

Ponsonby Central Pink Ribbon Lunch Friday 15 May 12.30pm http://pinkribbonbreakfast.co.nz/page/sarahginellarichiestottshostpage

Sarah Ginella and Nico Mendez of Maldito Mendez

TORU

LOVE. & MR LEWIS

FOXTROT PARLOUR

Flowers are the perfect gift! Let Steph create something special for your mum this Mother’s Day. Spend over $85 on flowers and take them away in a vase.

Your destination for temptation! With an eclectic menu, great coffee and to die for cakes and slices. Now fully licensed.

Champagne brunch anyone?

T: 021 067 5764 www.facebook.com/pages/ LOVE-Mr-Lewis-Flowers

T: 09 378 7268 www.foxtrotparlour.co.nz

WINE DIRECT

In the heart of Ponsonby Central, Toru is the perfect spot for brunch, lunch, or that special dinner, with tables beside the fire for those chilly days.

Make your mum smile this Mother’s Day with a gift from Wine Direct Ponsonby’s amazing selection: from crisp, sparkling and aromatic whites to silky red wines.

T: 09 555 1229 www.toru.co.nz

T: 09 973 0999 www.winedirect.co.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2015

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PONCENTRIC: LIVING THE GOOD LIFE IN PONSONBY

Good old fashioned service I don’t know about you, but I have this thing about the service at the cafes and restaurants I frequent. I have an expectation based on what I call ‘old fashioned service’.

photography: Michael McClintock

But it isn’t old fashioned at all and I’m not sure the ‘old fashioned’, when it comes to customer service, was better or worse than service today. Perhaps I have a yearning for what I perceive to be service in the good old days!

But the reality is, be it then or now, service quality can be variable across all types of businesses, even though with my writing I’m more inclined to focus on eateries of all shapes and sizes.

If I was to choose three words that summed up what I expect from service providers, and it’s not just at cafes and restaurants, they would be: quality product, empathy and helpfulness. Actually there’s also courtesy, pleasantness and appreciation. Ok, six words - that add up to ‘customer satisfaction’!

That’s why we are drawn back to some cafes and restaurants and not others, in fact to any business. Self-evident it may well be, but why do so many ‘retailers’ not deliver the service we expect, let alone exceed our expectations, why do they not get it?

And because Poncentric is all about focusing on the positive, I’m going to try and write this column without naming and shaming!

Actually in my experience, and talking about eateries, I’ve found the variability is often less about the food and more about the other elements - or their absence.

So what do we do if we have good or bad dining experiences? Well in the old days the only real avenue we had to praise or critique was word of mouth.

There was lots of research on how many people we tell about bad experiences versus good experiences - we tell many more about the bad than the good. Research by American Express revealed that on average we tell 15 people about positive experiences and 24 people about poor experiences. Granted this was research undertaken in 2012 in the United States but it’s hard to imagine that Kiwi customers will be any different, then and now.

What’s changed of course is the emergence of social media and review sites. These days it’s not just a dozen people we tell about good or bad experiences, it can be hundreds or thousands. Social media and its immediacy, its real-time impact if you will, has placed significant power, and responsibility, in the hands of the customer.

With instruments such as Instagram we now can, and I frequently do, post photos and comments on the spot, from the table. And of course an Instagram post will inevitably be ‘shared’ on Facebook - well that’s what I do, but only if I’m having a pleasurable experience. This sort of reviewing on social media is a reality of our times.

There is much debate on this subject with both professional reviewers and restaurateurs joining the debate. There are those who would challenge the ‘new’ critics as being unqualified to pass judgement. This may be so in some instances but it is a reality and it’s not going to go away.

There are those who would suggest that such reviewers can have a negative impact on these businesses. Well, I regularly check out such sites as Trip Advisor, Yelp, Zomato, Menus.co.nz, Dine Out, Metro Eats to name but a few, and by far the majority of reviews are positive. Many I take with a grain of salt. So I suggest that business owners embrace the new order and turn it to their advantage, because it’s not going to go away.

Providing service that exceeds expectations and builds customer loyalty is a key component of the success of many establishments.

And isn’t it interesting that the most successful and long established eateries are, to me, the ones that not only have consistently excellent food but also consistently exceed my expectations in terms of service. I emphasis the word ‘consistently’ here.

To be honest, if I have one gripe about restaurants generally it is with their ‘front of house’ staff particularly with respect to the maitre d’ or manager role. Call me old

74 PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2015

Armando Koci, owner of Gusto Italiano Ponsonby fashioned (there I go again!) but my best dining experiences have been those where the maitre d’ has been ‘visible’; where they have acknowledged our presence and engaged with us in at least some modest form.

I don’t have high expectations but it would be nice if at least once during the meal the maitre d’ would approach your table and enquire whether everything is okay. Not an unreasonable expectation I’d have thought. Common sense in terms of satisfying the customer and building loyalty, don’t you think? And yet how often does it happen - not very, I hear you say.

A case in point. We dined for the first time at a local eatery recently. Food was good, service was reasonably attentive, but it bugged me that over the two hours we were there no one approached the table and asked us if everything was okay. The difference between coming close to meeting our expectations and exceeding them, of ‘delighting’ us. Will I go back? Maybe!

And on the subject of front-of-house, two stand-out maitre d’s in my experience are Brandon at Prego and Armando at Gusto Italiano in Three Lamps. I know there are others but in my experience these two stand out. They are ‘visible’ and will almost certainly warmly ‘engage’. And yes there are more, but there are many who don’t. Ask yourself: when was the last time I was amazed and delighted by the service I received and pleasantly surprised that the maitre d’ engaged my table?

A reader of my last column commented to illustrate the point: “I think exceptional hosts, and they’re often owner-operators, are a big part of ‘standing the test of time’ - people who make you feel special, and who are attentive.”

And it’s a two-way street - meaning it’s not only about the customers. Brandon Lela’ulu from Prego had this to say: “You know, there’s such a thing as a ‘professional customer’ too. Like any interaction/connection in life, having an understanding of other people and communication allows for everybody to walk away smiling... the guest and the host.”

How true.

So I’ll leave the final word on the subject to Brandon who won the prestigious 2014 Lewisham Award’s Best Maitre d’ award.

Brandon says floor service comes down to enriching guests’ experience and caring about what you’re doing. “When I dine out, I want to be looked after by ‘real people’.

I don’t want a robot handling my food,” he says.

“An average meal can be improved by a warm, genuine smile, and robots aren’t programmed to do that. If something goes wrong, the real test of quality is in the solution. Having someone who cares is a huge part of the dining experience for me.

I will always feel ripped off without that.”

Interesting how Brandon bases his service philosophy on what he expects as a customer. No punches pulled here! Now, if only we could get all businesses to adopt PN this philosophy. Don’t you just love Ponsonby? (GEOFF LAWSON) F And by the way you can check out what Poncentric is up to at www.poncentric.com and www.facebook.com/poncentric PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

TRAVEL BREAKS: THE NEW THERAPY!

MUSCAT RAMBLE, OMAN

By Kate Gohar, Director, World Journeys

PEOPLE WERE ASTONISHED TO HEAR I WAS TAKING MY CHILDREN to Oman, but having travelled a lot in the Middle East, I knew they would love it. I use the term ‘children’ loosely; they are teenagers now, and not likely to pass up a Mum-funded holiday. Travelling with them when they were small was a delight; their engaging charm and shy smiles allowed us to connect with people even without a common language. Fast forward a few years, their charm is just as potent and now they could carry my bags!

We flew into Muscat for a relaxing few days at the Shangri La Barr al Jissah - what a haven. Cool, luxurious rooms, plenty to see and do, delightful people and a beautiful view of the sparkling Arabian Sea. While I took myself off to the spa, the teenagers managed to find a dozen new friends, leap off a huge inflatable edifice into the sea and play beach volleyball with the hotel staff.

A hilarious day was spent in Muscat with a driver named Majid who was delighted to compare music tastes with my music-mad son, took him off to buy a dishdasha and kuma (traditional Omani outfit), and waited patiently as we wandered blissfully through Muttrah Souk. Covered from head to foot we all stood wide-eyed and speechless in the aptly named ‘Grand Mosque’.

Off to explore more of Oman, our driver and guide for the next few days, Faizal, had wild eyes and a cheeky grin. The children took to him immediately, as he announced ‘I know a shortcut’ and veered away from the beautiful six-laned highway to bounce through dried wadis and crumbling villages. Rather than fixate on a map we told Faizal to just make it fun. He did. He stopped for sweet Karak tea, introduced us to delicious Omani doughnuts, drove through mudbrick villages with children splashing in the local wadi, stopped for us to take photos of camels and sang, badly, a lot.

We saw huge green turtles laying eggs on the beach in the dark, vivid gleams of algae glowing like phosphorus in the waves crashing behind us. Forts and castles were brought to life with gruesome stories of bloodshed and black magic. We revelled in sunsets over ever changing sand dunes and cool refreshing wadis tumbling into crystal clear pools. We wandered through souks and drank tea with Bedouin, chatted with

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

school children and slept in a luxury tent in the desert. Faizal shouted ? “I want to fly” as he shot off up a steep dune with sand arching in huge swathes over the car and we savoured food from fancy restaurants and tiny food stalls alike. We loved every second.

The warmth of the Omani people and their generosity of spirit made us feel quite at home, but the diversity of landscape was awe inspiring and there seemed to be none of the ‘in your face’ spiel in the markets - quite restful for a family of Kiwis.

We genuinely felt we left too soon and we would all return in a heartbeat. F PN

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PONSONBY NEWS READERS ARE EVERYWHERE

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4 1-2. Kevin Pearson, Principal of Davenports City Law in Vermont Street sent us two photos telling us, “My brother-in-law John and I just visited Austin TEXAS for SWSX2015, a major 6-day music festival - a once in a lifetime experience and well -recommended to any music nuts you have as readers.�

3. Celebrity gossip columnist David Hartnell is always talking with Hollywood stars.

He bumped into Mr Bean while on a recent overseas trip. David is always at the ready to promote the Ponsonby News.

4. Donna Mills of Jewels and Gems reads the Ponsonby News above the RIVER GANGA (Ganges) and the Himalayas with her friend Carol Fraser. Although retired, Carol volunteers as an English teacher at the local school of ragamuffins. Donna had visited one of her classes on this day.

5. Pablo N Perez was snapped while having a quick browse of Ponsonby News, while he was home in ARGENTINA. He is at the Perito Moreno Glacier at Santa Cruz, Patagonia.

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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.

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

ROSS THORBY: SEA FEVER

In search of Sinbad Arriving into Muttrah Harbour we are greeted by the mournful sound of the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer.

Bouncing off the craggy mountains of Al Hajar towards our ship, this haunting cry has always raised the hairs on the back of my neck and immediately transports me back to the Middle East, no matter where in the world I am.

The mountains that echo the call shelter an old settlement within the confines of its ancient city walls. Viewed from the ship, it is easy to imagine this as the land of Sinbad, genies and colourful flying carpets. Oman is steeped in folklore, but mostly it is the land of frankincense, the three kings and the Queen of Sheba, whose ruined palace is just down the coast and still overlooking an old marshland populated by white flamingoes.

The port’s waterfront has an archaic simplicity of canopied shop fronts, domed mosques and tight shaded streets, dominated by ancient balconies hanging precariously over veiled women and traditional dishdasha-clad men scuttling about their business.

Unfortunately the donkeys have been replaced by SUVs with menacing dark tinted windows, but the flavour is still here, all the vestiges of modern life, but the framework and barracks of ancient Arabia.

Welcome to Muscat. An oasis of civilisation amongst the arid, mountainous landscape that surrounds it. To the left of the settlement, we can see a large incense burner, the symbol of the Sultanate of Oman, a beacon into the harbour. Snuggled against the cliffs is one of the sultan’s many large sprawling, but perfectly manicured palaces, protected incongruously, by anti-aircraft guns on the lawn. Here the sultan rules as an absolute monarch.

Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, deposed his father in 1970 in a coup and banished him to live out his days at the Dorchester in London. The young sultan took over a land with one road, three schools and a hospital languishing in a culture of ancient myths and an outlook to match.

The young sultan brought the country into the modern world where it is now thriving with a bullish economy and a citizenship enjoying modern conveniences that the previous generations could only dream of. Oman is now a prime tourist destination with beautiful sandy white beaches fringed with the pleasure palaces of the rich and famous.

We learn that the small settlement we arrived in has two lives. During the day it is a bustling port populated by shopkeepers and fishermen, but at night, on the stroke of midnight, the city’s cleaners come out to spend the hours polishing and preening the town back into immaculate condition for the residents to enjoy. Subsequently the city we saw was sparkling and fresh.

We negotiated a taxi for the day and drove through the fork in the mountains and along a string of beaches until we reached Al Bustan. A hotel so palatial and opulent, that a few years ago the sultan, who was having a party and had already filled his own six palaces, emptied out the hotel to accommodate his remaining six friends with little apology to the well-heeled but now dislodged guests. It’s good to be sultan.

We dined al fresco beside the azure Arabian sea and watched the country’s glitterati parade past. The next stop was the new Grand Mosque. One of the most stunning temples I have ever seen. Beautiful raised gardens and water features greet its worshippers outside, whilst inside the interior walls feature gilded murals of floral and geometric patterns reflecting the beautiful stained-glass windows. A towering marble dome from which is slung one of the world’s largest chandeliers, 14 meters tall and weighing 8 tonnes, it swings over carpet which took 600 Iranian woman four years to weave. We are told by our guide-taxi driver-new best friend, Abdul, that the Mosque holds 20,000 worshippers and you can easily believe it.

Leaving one place of worship for another, we escaped to the cool of the souk on the waterfront. Here, in amongst a menagerie of carpets and shoes, spices, frankincense and electronics, we joined the locals who spend their afternoon in siesta luxuriating in the shaded alleyways away from the heat of the day. It was here, along with the other passengers, we were taught the art of hard bartering by some of Ali Baba’s 40 thieves.

At dusk, retreating into the Arabian Sea, surrounded once again by the muezzin calling to prayer, our ship turned back towards the west in more ways than one, and not a flying carpet in sight. (ROSS THORBY) F PN The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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HELENE RAVLICH: NATURAL BEAUTY

The brightest Mother’s Day beauty buys As a mum and a daughter, I know full well that Mother’s Day is an enormous commercial exercise, but it’s also a nice reminder, in my humble opinion, and you don’t have to break the bank to honour your mum.

As well as a lunch out and a bit of quiet time, I’m all for gifts of the beauty variety, and I don’t know many mums who wouldn’t be! With this in mind, I’ve lined up a few releases around this time of year that I think many a woman would enjoy.

The Aromatherapy Company held a wonderful breakfast at Odette’s Eatery a few weeks ago to launch a Therapy Mother’s Day Range to support women’s wellbeing. The inspiring Sarah Townsend from The Aromatherapy Company is passionate about New Zealand women’s wellbeing and positive mental health, and wanted to do more to raise awareness around the issue. The end result is a limited edition range - scented with magnolia and peony - that was created especially for Mother’s Day. A percentage of the proceeds from the sales of the range will be donated to the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. The really rather beautiful Therapy Limited Edition Mother’s Day range includes: a Diffusion Set ($39.99), Candle ($16.99), Hand Cream ($17.99) and Gift Set comprised of a 60g Votive Candle and 35ml Diffuser ($29.99).

Next up, I make no secret of the fact that I’m huge fan of MOR, the Australian beauty and lifestyle company founded by designers Dianna Burmas and Deon St. Mor. Motivated by a desire to develop desirable products, the creative energies joined forces to open their first design studio on a cobblestone Melbourne laneway in 1998 and since then, they’ve filled the world with absolutely beautiful products that look - and smell - as wonderful as they feel.

Blending time-old ingredients with modern technologies, MOR is all about an awakening of the senses with an innovative twist in the creation of every product. Each collection is inspired by the stories of ancient civilisations, by-gone eras, travel, art, cuisine and future technology allowing the creation of a unique story - from the finely blended formulation inside, to the hand-finished detail on every product.

Which brings me to their beautiful Mother’s Day offerings, which come perfectly packaged and in a range of price points to suit any budget. From their Honey Nectar Bliss essential duo featuring a triple milled soap and vitamin enriched hand cream ($24.99), to the Marshmallow Moments set comprised of an eau de parfum, hand & body wash and hand & body milk ($59.99), their products never fail to please. As an added bonus for mum’s day, they have two free gifts too: a limited edition lingerie bag when you spend $19.95 or more on MOR, and a limited edition fringed throw if you spend $49.95 or more.

For those mums that love to sport great hair, every day, professional hair styling brand ghd has created the latest limited edition beauty must-have in the form of the

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covetable ghd V opal styler. The little beauty sparkles with every colour of the spectrum in a beautiful opalescent shade, and with universal voltage the ghd V opal styler smoothes, straightens, curls and waves wherever you are in the world. It comes sitting pretty in a matching opalescent gift box for $309, and is available at approved ghd salons around the country and at ghdhair.com/nz.

Also on the hair styling tip, how many women do you know who take the time to spend money on a damn good hairdryer?

Not many in my humble opinion, making it a brilliant gifting option for mums in particular. The brand new VS Sassoon 3Q High Performance Dryer is one of the best I have tried in a while, and a killer combination of the three Qs - quick, quiet and quality.

It comes with brushless motor technology that means it dries 70% faster with airspeeds of an incredible 150km per hour, and is perfect for all hair types, including women with long or thick hair who find it hard to hand-dry their hair. The quick-dry capacity of the 3Q dryer means hair is exposed to heat for less time, helping it to remain healthier than ever, and it also boasts ceramic technology, which enables hair to more easily and effectively absorb heat in a way that minimises damage and stress.

The aforementioned ‘SmartTech’ brushless motor, which uses magnets and electronics to drive the motor, not only provides a quicker dry but it also extends the life of the dryer by 10 times. That means if you were to use your 3Q hair dryer for 15 minutes every day, you can expect the motor to last more than 50 years! It’s also lightweight - the 3Q dryer weighs only 550gms, meaning you can dry in comfort and with complete control without feeling like you have done an intense upper body workout before you leave the house for the day. Magic!

And if the new dryer doesn’t dry faster, give you more volume, add shine and reduce frizz while styling with ease within 60 days, VS Sassoon is offering a money back guarantee The VS Sassoon 3Q High Performance Dryer (RRP $239.99) is available at Farmers, Harvey Norman, Betta Electrical and leading electrical retailers, and you can guarantee that Mum will love it.

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

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DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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ALI LAWRIE: PERSONALITY TYPES

What happens to our personality over time

photography: Elizabeth Handy

Ali Lawrie, a Ponsonby local, works with individuals and groups focussing on personal development and communication skills. In talking ‘personality type’ with Martin Leach, editor and publisher of the Ponsonby News, he proved to be a perfect example of what happens to our personality over time.

After the company went bankrupt due to the collapse of an airline, Martin ended up starting out again in London. He took up the role of selling advertising, again playing to his natural strengths, which led to him spotting another gap in the market - publishing an HR magazine. Despite people saying it would never work, and not having the editorial or publishing experience, Martin ‘knew’ that it would and eventually ended up in his early 40s with 30 employees and a very successful business.

Martin Leach pictured in 1999 in his London office for the ‘New Alchemists’ book Martin’s Myers-Briggs Type had been identified in the early 90s as an Extraverted Sensing Thinking Perceiving. After a few conversations and much sorting through different personality scenarios, we concluded that the result gained at that time was absolutely spot on. As Martin had matured, however, he was utilising other facets of his personality that made him ‘look’ like a different type today.

The beauty of Myers-Briggs Type identification is that aside from valuable learning about where we gain energy, how we take in new information, make decisions and like to organise ourselves, it is also a fantastic framework that allows for personal development that is life-long. If we understand at a young age what our type preferences are, then we will be aware of the areas that we need to work on to fulfil our potential as well-rounded mature adults.

Case in point is Martin. As an ESTP his story exemplifies the development of this personality type. School was not a place that best suited Martin’s learning style.

ESTPs have what is known as the artisan temperament. This is very much a hands-on, kinesthetic approach to learning and life. These people are full of energy and like to keep moving. Martin left school as soon as he was able and took off to explore the world. As a young adult Martin moved from job to job, experiencing life and trying to find his own way. Freedom is very important to young ESTPs and there is often a strong compulsion to push boundaries and stretch the limits.

A quick learner with the ability to accurately size up a situation, Martin eventually found himself breaking new ground while working for and owning a share in a travel agency.

They sold cut-price tickets targeted at the Australasian traveller doing their OE, an innovative concept at the time.

This is an example of the use of the dominant function of Extraverted Sensing, observing and noticing detail from the environment. This detail is then filtered through the internal analytical process, which we refer to as Introverted Thinking. These are the trusted functions of an ESTP that allowed Martin to run with an opportunity.

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Through his 20s and 30s working closely with others and eventually managing his own staff, Martin developed his extraverted feeling function, which is about harmonising and ensuring the wellbeing of others. For Martin, who has a preference for extraversion, connecting with people is important, learning to deal with people effectively is part of ESTP development.

Interestingly enough, one of the ideas Martin had looking forward was a health centre, catering for the physical and spiritual needs of the community. This idea is very much in tune with the development of the ESTPs fourth and least used process, introverted intuition. This process is the opposite to the very reality-based and tangible process of extraverted sensing. With maturity many ESTPs will dabble in the area of spirituality and dream life, although they will never feel as comfortable as when dealing with the more tangible aspects of the world.

Now, a couple of decades down the track and with the last 12 years spent developing the Ponsonby News, Martin is effectively using all of his cognitive processes. He has created a central hub for the community in which he lives, enabling the sharing of new stories, celebrating local success and promoting new initiatives.

He is out and about in the community, connecting with people and observing the comings and goings, relishing the sensual delights of eating establishments and markets and enjoying life with his long-term partner. He remains self employed, allowing freedom and autonomy to reign.

Typical of an extraverted sensing type, he can spin a good yarn full of rich and descriptive detail, his past experiences brought to life in a warm and engaging way. The fact that Martin identified most recently with the description of an Extraverted Intuitive Feeling Judging shows how he has successfully identified and risen to the challenge of developing extraverted feeling and introverted intuition that were not as evident in his PN younger days. (ALI LAWRIE) F For more information and to make an appointment contact Ali at www.personalitytype.co.nz or 027 542 6720.

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

NEWS FROM GREY LYNN FARMERS’ MARKET

CAROL DOWNER & LYNN GREEN, GREY LYNN HONEY Certified organic Manuka Honey What’s your favourite thing about beekeeping?

I love being in a beehive, working with the bees, it’s like meditating. Also, learning about bees and beekeeping techniques, talking to experts and always learning more.

How long have you been beekeeping?

Carol took it as a sign to start beekeeping in 2000 when a swarm of bees arrived in her plum tree on New Year’s Day! Where did you grow up?

Carol grew up in Orakei, and Lynn is from Sydney and has lived in Auckland for 28 years.

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

It was a big step deciding to start selling at farmers’ markets.

What’s your favourite way to relax after work?

After work? In spring and summer there is not too much down time! Keeping 40-50 hives organically is a lot of work. Not only physically looking after the bees, there is a lot of work that goes on looking after equipment, and processing honey and wax. Although after a hot day in the hives a nice cold beer is appreciated!

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

The people, Grey Lynn is our local hood and our customers are lovely, often stopping for a chat. So many people are interested and care about bees. Children are fun as they visit our honey bear and have honey tastings. F PN

photography: Michael McClintock

www.glfm.co.nz Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/GLFM Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GreyLynnFarmersMarket

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LIVING, THINKING + BEING NATURAL, RESTFUL, SNORE - FREE SLEEP “Sleep - those little slices of death - how I loathe them.” - Edgar Allan Poe 1809-1849.

American author, Edgar Allen Poe, the inventor of the horror story, barely slept. Was it his vivid, ghoulish imagination that kept him awake? Perhaps the fear of being buried alive? His misshapen face and tired droopy eyes indicate a simpler explanation; that he was violently shaken awake by his own snoring.

Recently I was presenting workshops for dentists on sleep disorders and breathing dysfunction with dentist Dr Dan Hanson. He lectures internationally on facial development, breathing dysfunction and sleep disorders.

When he saw this photo of Edgar Allen Poe, he said, “This man has an underdeveloped upper jaw - at the lack of cheek bones and severe asymmetry. See how the right side of his face is much larger than the left? These features correlate with breathing dysfunction, which affects tongue posture, which in turn affects growth of the upper jaw. Poe’s facial features are typical of people suffering from sleep disorders and it’s no wonder that he slept so badly.”

Poe would be in good company today. A 2011 review for the Australian Sleep Foundation estimated that 1.5 million Australians have sleep disorders including snoring, sleep apnoea and insomnia. New Zealanders are similarly afflicted.

Apnoea is indeed a little slice of death. Poe would have stopped breathing often during the night, then ‘brought back to life’ with a desperate gasp, a jagged, violent snoring.

Poe died young - only 40 - but he needn’t have gone to his grave for a peaceful sleep.

With what we know now, Poe could have simply been coached out of his nightly ‘deaths’.

PN If, like Poe, you have a sleeping problem, we can help. F Glenn White is a practitioner trainer and director of the BUTEYKO BREATHING CLINIC, T: 09 360 66291 www.buteykobreathing.co.nz

CLARE CALDWELL: THE ART OF LIVING How often do we catch ourselves thinking that something doesn’t feel right?

This has nothing to do with the rational perceptions of the brain: it’s a heart-based perception. It now seems that science is finally catching up and proving what’s been known intuitively by many people for centuries: that the heart can be used as an organ of perception, with its own heart-based consciousness.

When people in the Western world are asked to point to their consciousness and decision -making centres, they inevitably point to their heads. However, conversely, our ancient ancestors (and many indigenous peoples living today) would point to their hearts.

They understood the heart’s ability to intelligently perceive and decipher the world around them, acknowledging the limitations and reductionist nature of relying solely on the mind. They went beyond the thoughts in their heads, using their hearts as the greater organ of perception. They not only connected with the energy fields of all other living organisms, but also the wider earth, thus fully immersing into and making more sense of the deeper meanings of things that began as thoughts generated by the brain.

When they breathed in the ‘meaning’ of another organism using their heart field, a shift occurred within them. The ancient Greeks referred to this silent, invisible, heart-based communication as ‘aesthsis’, which means ‘to breathe in’.

Although we’re taught today that the heart responds to orders sent from the brain, our hearts actually send more orders to the brain. These neural orders significantly affect brain function, especially emotional and cognitive processes, eg, attention, perception, memory and problem solving, and different patterns of heart activity affect the brain differently.

Studies have found that the heart receives and reacts to stimuli before it even occurs, formulating a response before the brain has a chance to process it. This pre-cognitive phenomenon’s called ‘body premonitions’. The heart is the organ with the most powerful electromagnetic fields in the body and can sense the heart of another individual up to several metres away and synchronise them! How often do we ‘feel’ subconsciously that a person isn’t right, even though they’re saying and doing all the right things? In this way the electromagneticism of the heart shapes and defines our relationships.

This type of energy sensing also applies to places and objects, and is judged and responded to intuitively.

So do we follow our hearts or our heads when making important decisions? If we place consciousness solely in the mind, designating it the only intelligent organ of perception, we place thoughts over feelings. By doing this we silence a large part of our true essence; that which is spiritual, seemingly irrational and indefinable. Conversely, to live a life entirely based on feelings over thoughts is also undesirable. We need to reconnect with an ancient way of living buried deep within us where we maintain an energetic equilibrium between the heart and the brain, and all that matters in between. Our bodies are exquisite and complex entities. We should listen to their guidance.

PN (CLARE CALDWELL) F 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; E: clare.e.caldwell@gmail.com

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

CARING PROFESSIONAL Alola Robertson Community Library Manager - Grey Lynn Library How did you come to be a librarian?

I just fell into it really. I always loved books and reading so thought that working in a library would be great.

After I finished my undergraduate degree, I got a part time job at a library and just loved it. I decided then that I wanted to make it my career and I haven’t looked back.

What do you love about your job?

Interacting with the public. I love that just the smallest things we do in libraries can have a big impact on people’s lives. Helping a kid choose just the right book to read can help to create a life-long enjoyment and passion for reading, helping someone write their CV and then apply for a job can change their life dramatically.

What do you find challenging?

The biggest challenge I have experienced working in public libraries is being confronted with the real struggles that many families are coping with and the effect this has on children.

Seeing the poverty that many families live with in parts of Auckland is really challenging, especially when it is presented in the form of a hungry and neglected child.

How do you differ from other librarians?

I don’t think I differ very much, while we come with different personalities, most librarians I have encountered have chosen the profession because of a desire to help people and their communities.

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Can you share an anecdote about your work in the library?

There are so many lovely little stories from working in libraries that it is hard to choose one, but here goes.

Recently an elderly woman came to the library with her newly purchased tablet wanting some instruction on how to use it so that she could surprise her children and grandchildren by sending them an email with a photo and Skyping them online. She had several one-on-one sessions with a librarian learning how to use the tablet, how to set up and use email, how to take a photo and send it by email and how to use Skype. So now she is all set up and ready to send them her surprise messages.

What do you read yourself?

Mostly fiction. I love historical fiction, which has become quite trendy lately with the success of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall and Eleanor Catton’s The Luminaries. But I enjoy quite a range of literary fiction, I’m reading Eyrie

by Tim Winton at the moment, which is an interesting contemporary Australian work. I’m hoping to see him at the Auckland Writers’ Festival this month.

What’s your advice to people seeking to make the most of the library?

There is so much more available from the library than most people realise. Yes, we still do all the traditional book lending and information services that people expect, but we also have a wealth of digital resources available for free including e-books and e-magazines. We also have a huge

variety of heritage and research related services in both digital and non-digital formats, and we offer a wide variety of children’s services, including storytimes, rhymetimes, ‘wriggle & rhymes’ (for babies), school holiday activities, book clubs, outreach programmes to schools and preschools, and much more. The best way to get the most out of libraries is to come in and ask us about what we offer, or give us a call, or visit us on Facebook.

GREY LYNN LIBRARY, 474 Great North Road T: 09 374 1314 Facebook: Grey Lynn Library

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MICHELLE OWEN: POSTURE TO PERFORMANCE

The amazing Swiss ball The Swiss ball is an amazing tool! It is one of the most inexpensive and useful pieces of equipment that you can use at home or at the gym.

Just like any tool, the ball itself without the appropriate knowledge will not give you the desired result, but learning skilled exercises and progression over time does lead to extraordinary results.

Learning to use a Swiss ball correctly will create body awareness, eliminate pain as you get stronger, develop correct body position, make a strong, toned healthy butt, back and abdominals, create stability of joints, increase balance and agility and improve sports performance. As you can see, there are many benefits!

I include Swiss balls in everyone’s fitness routine. When clients are new they learn base positions to increase their stability and spinal endurance. As they develop with their training programme, they learn functional strength training with or without weights to correct sling imbalances. Once they have a good base of strength, they can develop explosive sports specific movements.

No matter what your level of training or your goals, this great piece of equipment should be a fundamental tool. Swiss balls can be used for posture right through to high-level performance.

Weight training on a ball When training the body for function, the Swiss ball strengthens the inner and outer unit of the body, integrating them together.

Exercising on a fixed machine or lying on a solid bench only works the moving muscles and takes away the ability for the stabilisers to do their job.

Correct position is sitting with the rib cage stacked on top of the pelvis, the pelvis in neutral, chest lifted and head retracted so the ear is over the shoulder.

If you were performing a chest press lying on a bench, the exercise only works the chest, shoulder and triceps muscles (the moving muscles) as all the other muscles are being supported by the bench.

If you have weak postural muscles this can be too tiring to sustain all day until you have developed some good postural strength. It’s a good idea to mix up sitting on a ball with using a chair with a back so that postural muscles don’t get fatigued.

When you do a chest press off a Swiss ball (correctly) you work the chest, shoulder, triceps plus you integrate the whole stabiliser system, the deep abdominal and deep spinal muscles, butt and back muscles, legs and even the slings. Our brain then knows how to connect, hold and support our body in real-life situations of work and sport.

The Swiss ball you need depends on your height. Here is a guide to help: 55 cm 5’1”- 5’8” 65 cm 5’9”- 6’2” 75 cm 6’3”- 6’7”

Our bodies move in three planes of movement, forward and back, side to side and rotation. With a Swiss ball we can train all three planes, making our bodies more functional, less prone to injury, pain and dysfunction.

Swiss ball quality I just love Swiss balls - good quality ones that is! There is nothing worse than a cheap, nasty ball that makes you sink halfway to the floor when you sit on it. Cheap Swiss balls will cost about $50, good quality balls will cost about $100 but they will last you a lifetime and are well worth the investment.

Swiss balls for sitting I often get asked if it is better to sit on a Swiss ball in an office environment: Swiss balls are awesome to sit on. They allow much more movement than a rigid, static chair.

You can move your hips, spine and body regularly. More movement helps keep discs, joints and muscles healthy. Motion is lotion.

The good quality balls have two layers, so if you roll on something sharp they won’t burst. If you are going to do weight training on a Swiss ball it is critical to have the best quality. The Duraball pro is my favorite by far and can take up to 1000lbs of force so is extremely safe to exercise on. (MICHELLE OWEN) F PN

However, it is important to know how to sit correctly on a ball without hinging from the various areas of your back that will make you more uncomfortable.

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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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PLANET AYURVEDA: ASK DOCTOR AJIT

Q:

I am looking for some advice to help me with my chronic constipation. It’s so bad that I need to take laxatives every night to stay regular.

(Name and address withheld)

The frequency of bowel movements can vary from person to person, ranging from three movements a day to three times a week. If more than three days pass without a bowel movement, the contents of the bowel may harden and a person may have difficulty or even pain during elimination.

A:

Food that has been digested in the stomach moves through the small intestines in a semi liquid form. As it travels further, the nutrients from this digested food are absorbed. Muscle contractions in the wall of the intestines propel the waste products into the large intestine, where re-absorption of up to 90% of the water and salt takes place as they are essential for many of our body’s functions. If too much water is absorbed or if the waste moves too slowly, one may become constipated.

In Ayurveda, this excretory process is controlled by vata, the bodily intelligence that governs all kinds of movement in the body. Because there is so much movement in the lower abdomen, the colon is the prime site of vata in the body. Typically, when vata gets out of balance, its qualities of dryness and irregularity will cause stools to become hard and impacted and affect our ability to evacuate normally.

However, from an Ayurvedic perspective the most common cause of constipation is the suppression of the body’s natural urges. The body has a natural urge to eliminate waste first thing in the morning (typically at

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or before dawn). We often find this time inappropriate or inconvenient and force ourselves to suppress it. This habitual suppression can lead to a kind of psychological form of constipation, which makes us dependant on laxatives to stimulate the elimination process.

It is well known that prevention is the best approach to constipation so the following guidelines should help: • It is important to eat a well-balanced diet that includes whole-wheat grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables.

• High-fibre foods include beans, whole grains, bran cereals, fresh fruit, and vegetables such as asparagus, sprouts, cabbage and carrots.

• Avoid heavy foods that are difficult to digest eg. cheese, sugar, yogurt, bread, ice cream, meat, pizza, processed foods and pastries, especially at night.

• Drink plenty of fluids during the day but make sure that your drinking water is warm, not chilled.

• Exercise regularly.

• Have a regular time for breakfast, lunch, dinner.

• It is very important not to ignore the urge to defecate and avoid a dependence on laxatives.

• Improve the digestion with the use of light spices such as cumin seeds, coriander, turmeric powder, fennel and asafoetida.

• Drinking a glass of warm milk at bedtime helps in evacuation the next morning.

• Regulate your sleeping hours. Ayurveda advises the common saying, “early to bed and early to rise”.

• In the morning after waking up, drink a glass or two of warm water with 1 tsp of honey, ½ tsp of grated ginger and ½ tsp of lemon juice and then wait a few minutes before going to the toilet.

• Massaging the whole body with warm, cold pressed black sesame oil once or twice a week will always help.

• In chronic cases of constipation, applying warm oil or ghee on the naval area will bring some relief.

• Ayurveda has a wonderful herbal preparation called Triphala that is ideal for treating the symptoms of constipation. It is made from the three Indian fruits (Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellirica) and can be taken at night with a teaspoon of honey or ghee.

As always, Ayurveda is interested in understanding why the body is out of balance and providing strategies to reinvigorate its natural intelligence. The use of laxatives is only treating the symptoms, rather than addressing the PN root cause of the problem. (DR AJIT) F PLANET AYURVEDA, 41 Gillies Avenue, T: 09 522 5390, www.planetayurveda.co.nz

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JOHN APPLETON: ON HEALTH

Kidney stones - prevention can be easier than treatment There are few of us who would not have heard about the excruciating pain that can be associated with kidney stones. We hear stories about the pain being worse than that endured by women during childbirth.

According to Southern Cross Healthcare 10-15% of New Zealanders will be affected by kidney stones at some stage in their lives. Given these statistics it makes a lot of sense to consider how we might avoid the problem.

goes to work to break the stone into pieces. A much more invasive option for very large stones is called percutaneous nephrolithotomy which involves surgery through the back.

Kidney stones come in several forms, with the most common being calcium stones which are composed of calcium in combination with either oxalate or phosphate.

They occur when there is a lot of calcium circulating in the blood. Uric acid stones occur when there are excess amounts of uric acid in the blood which can happen if the diet is high in animal protein. Another form of kidney stone is known as a struvite stone. These are often composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate and they tend to occur in people who have frequent urinary tract infections.

All of the above are quite significant interventions and they don’t always provide an instant fix and there can still be a lot of pain involved. As I see it the more we can do to avoid the need for medical interventions and of course the pain associated with having a kidney stone the better.

The good news is that supporting normal kidney function is simple and it’s not expensive.

The pain that is caused by kidney stones is as a result of a stone blocking the ureter (the ‘tube’ that drains the kidney into the bladder). When urine cannot pass down the ureter there is a backup in the kidney which is not able to expand to accommodate the additional fluid. This is called hydronephrosis.

The main risk factors for kidney stones include family history and dietary factors which include high salt and animal protein consumption, but dehydration caused by simply not drinking enough is perhaps the most common link.

Very small kidney stones can often pass on their own but for the larger stones surgical intervention is often necessary. Shock wave treatment known as lithotripsy is a well-known option. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy was first used in 1980 and it literally causes the stone/s to shatter. Another procedure called ureteroscopy involves passing a small telescope up through the urinary tract to where the stone is located and a laser

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Caffeine and alcohol are first on my must be aware of list. They act as diuretics robbing the body of precious water; so limiting consumption of both could be very helpful long-term. Reducing the amount of animal protein particularly at night can avoid build-up of uric acid. Meat is very acidifying and as we get older it becomes more difficult to digest because of reduced levels of stomach acid.

First on my to-do list is to drinking at least two litres of filtered water daily. This can be done over the 24-hour period. A glass of water at bedtime may mean getting up in the night but it’s really important to reduce the concentration of the urine during the night when the kidneys are working hard to process waste. The colour of the urine should for the most part be clear to very light yellow. Urine is yellow in colour due to a pigment known as urochrome which is produced as a result of the breakdown in the liver of the heme part of the haemeglobin from old red blood cells.

Something we can all do every morning to help our kidneys is to drink two large glasses of tepid filtered water with the juice of a lemon squeezed in them. It’s the citric acid in the lemons that does the trick. Not only can

it help prevent kidney stones from forming, it can help break up small stones. The more citric acid we obtain from the lemons the better the protective benefit. Apple cider vinegar in warm water is also a helpful option and in addition it provides many other benefits including helping with arthritic issues and digestion.

Magnesium is important for helping to prevent kidney stones. Magnesium helps prevent calcium from combining with oxalate to form the most common type of kidney stone. Many New Zealanders have less than optimal levels of magnesium which is measured in red blood cells.

Another interesting option popped up on my radar couple of years ago. It’s a South American herb (Phyllanthus Niuri) from the Amazon rainforest known as chanca piedra which literally means ‘stone breaker’.

It has been used for generations by indigenous people to support the elimination of gallstones and kidney stones. On Google I found a New Zealand company www.in2herbs.co.nz selling chanca piedra in powder form which can be made into a ‘tea’. I haven’t had a kidney stone but after reading about its many properties, I thought I would give chanca piedra a try. It’s not an unpleasant drink when made like tea but it should be used under the care of a medical practitioner by diabetics or anyone with low blood sugar or on heart medications for low blood pressure. Chanca piedra is known to be a uterine stimulant so it should not be used during pregnancy.

Of all the conditions that send us off to the doctor, kidney stones could be one of the easiest to prevent. It involves little cost but it does require an ongoing commitment to PN some simple lifestyle changes. (JOHN APPLETON) F APPLETON ASSOCIATES, T: 09 489 9362 john@johnappleton.co.nz www.johnappleton.co.nz

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

LIVING, THINKING + BEING

NIKE, LES MILLS AND BARREFIGURE Kirsty Godso (age 26) Nike Master Trainer and Les Mills Grit head trainer tells us about her latest addiction... Barrefigure!

How did you get your start?

When I was 22, my best friend and I introduced Les Mills Grit, a series of 30-minute high intensity workouts, to New Zealand. The programme is now one of the most popular high intensity interval training workouts in the world. From there, I started working with Nike, and now I travel globally as a Nike Master Trainer. It’s my dream job.

What's an average day in the life of a Nike Master Trainer?

At least two workouts, meetings, a lot of laughing, and indecisiveness trying to pick outfits!

How do you maintain your energy levels?

I eat a lot and I eat healthily. It is really important that I fuel my body efficiently for all the training I do. I also get a lot of energy from my workouts.

Where do you go to chill out after a Barrefigure class?

Dizengoff or Catroux!

What’s your favourite way to de-stress?

Exercise is my sure-fire way to shake off any stress, and, as I’m really fussy about my workouts, I always know Barrefigure will de-stress me. The studio is the most gorgeous space and Marysa always has candles burning so I feel calmer the instant I walk in.

Tell us about a memorable class at Barrefigure?

I raved about the classes to my friends - so many join me now and we all joke that the classes are very memorable for our legs! (MARYSA DALTON) F PN

How did you discover Barrefigure?

I fell in love with barre classes in Los Angeles, New York and Sydney. So when my friend Soph recommended Barrefigure to me, I was desperate to check it out. I was so excited when Barrefigure opened as I finally had a great barre spot at home.

What do you love about Barrefigure?

I love the endurance elements, where you take your muscle groups to fatigue and then stretch them out. The classes are always different; Marysa is great at keeping her workouts fresh and exciting and you’re always guaranteed a great burn! I’ve noticed a difference in my core and legs attending only two sessions a week.

What’s your favourite move or section of class?

I would have to go with the thigh work with the ball at the barre - so much burn, but it is so good!

BARREFIGURE, 166 Richmond Road, T: 09 361 2083 www.barrefigure.co.nz info@barrefigure.co.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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THE PONSONBY PHILOSOPHER Change, progress, the growth fetish Effects on human wellbeing and species survival.

We can all articulate quite well what change is, but progress is a more difficult concept to define. Consider a pensioner being told as her house is being demolished: “You can’t stand in the way of progress.”

We may doubt the ‘fact’ of progress when basic food, health, shelter and security is lacking for so many. Even material prosperity is now bringing unhappiness, depression and empty lives.

People worldwide are increasingly miserable, and want to get off the vicious treadmill of consumerism. They ask “what can little old me do?”

Despair is followed by resignation - I can cycle to work, recycle my waste, consume consciously but unless everyone else does this, it will make no tangible difference. We must try to analyse just what progress means, and how a society can encourage it.

Is genuine progress tied inexorably to economic growth? Growth is defined by an ever increasing GDP. But this measure of growth includes, for example, every traffic accident and hospital visit, costs of incarceration and disaster relief, (none of which could be called positive quantifiers) and fails to take into account the depletion of natural capital. GDP ignores the importance of sustainability.

Philosopher David Wood of Vanderbilt University, says “the jury is still out on our progress in combating racism, slavery, and speciesism.” Wood cites black prison numbers, the Ferguson shooting, deaths on the Mexican border.

As far as speciesism is concerned, Wood bemoans the increase in global meat eating, climate change-induced species extinction, and little movement in attitudes to hunting and animal experimentation.

Wood is at pains however, to point out that anti-speciesists are “not insisting that giraffes be given the vote, but that their habitat be preserved”.

The fetish with growth, espoused by most Western and many other emerging nations, is resulting in huge environmental degradation, and species loss.

But as soon as anyone recommends a steady state, or at least a halt to resource exploitation in the pursuit of economic development, they are labelled luddites, wanting a return to a dark cave-like existence.

Clive Hamilton, in his book ‘The Growth Fetish’ explores the alternative paradigm. He postulates that “the primary function of government in a post-growth society will be to protect, expand and enrich our social, cultural and natural capital”.

“Instead of higher incomes, the central objective of a post-growth society is to provide opportunities for human fulfilment and self-realisation,” Hamilton adds.

French philosopher Derrida lists 10 plagues of the new world order: unemployment, flawed democracy, ruthless economic war, market failures, foreign debt, the arms industry, nuclear weapons, ethnic war, growth of super power states, international law.

We may not be near the apocalypse, but Syria and Iraq represent an image of society in breakdown.

A last word from Clive Hamilton, “A post-growth politics would deprive capital of much of its political power, because people would reject the assumption that everything should be sacrificed on the altar of growth.”

If we are not to descend into barbarism much must change, and we must be able to measure real human progress, unrelated to economic growth. (JOHN ELLIOTT) F PN

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KIWIS PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE IRON THRONE Game of Thrones fans challenged to change New Zealand monarchy from Windsor to Westeros.

In anticipation of the launch of the fifth season of the cult HBO® TV series Game of Thrones®, SoHo, SKY’s premium entertainment channel, offered Kiwis the chance to pledge their allegiance to the Iron Throne of Westeros.

Game of Thrones fans were invited to sign a petition in favour of a Westeros Kingdom reign over the current Windsor castle rule at www.changethethrone.co.nz and in person at the movement ‘hub’ in Aotea Square, Auckland.

A live update of those who pledged took the form of a giant scroll in Aotea Square exhibiting the names. Once fans had pledged, they were able to sit on a two metre replica of the Iron Throne to feel its power and glory, and have a photo captured which many shared on social media, following the conversation via #changethethrone.

HBO’s smash-hit, Emmy® Award-winning drama series returned exclusively to SoHo in April with an all-new season of duplicity and treachery, nobility and honor, conquest and triumph. The most-watched series in HBO history and a worldwide TV phenomenon, Game of Thrones is based on the bestselling book series by George R.R. Martin.

Set in the fantasy continents of Westeros and Essos, where summers and winters can last years, season five features some of the most explosive scenes yet, the promise that ‘winter is coming’ becomes more ominous than ever before. It’s not surprising that the show remains a huge global run away hit, and this year season five is not failing in its PN promise to provide a plethora of compelling storylines. F PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FUTURE GENERATION FROM SCHOOL PROJECT TO COVETED FASHION BLOGGER ACG Senior College student, Hattie Cochrane, is not your average 16-year-old.

For the past three years, she has built a following of thousands on her fashion blog that originally started as a school project. With the intention of expressing herself through her own voice with regard to the fashion, beauty and foodie things she loves, she has come across some unexpected surprises.

“Possibly the most amazing thing was receiving tickets to London’s Fashion Week. The first time I went I was weeping - it was very exciting,” says Hattie.

Hattie is now a London Fashion Week veteran, having attended two years of shows. This year however, from her new home in Auckland, New Zealand, her London Fashion Week post of February 2015 was giving advice to others on how to get there.

Her rise in the land of blogging in the United Kingdom hasn’t gone unnoticed. Leading United Kingdom digital public relations firm, etailPR offered Hattie an internship which she has gladly accepted. ACG Senior College Principal, Kathy Parker says, “Hattie’s a very perceptive student with a natural ability to navigate the digital world.”

While Hattie is looking at increasing her New Zealand viewers with her new Kiwi homebase, she has some top tips for aspiring bloggers. In a nutshell she says, “Know your own voice and stick to it. While it’s important to seek inspiration from others, you need to let your own voice shine.” F PN To read Hattie’s blog visit www.project-rattlebag.co.uk ACG Senior College, 66 Lorne Street, Auckland City, T: 09 307 4477 www.acgedu.com Hattie Cochrane from the blog www.project-rattlebag.co.uk

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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MEET THE TEACHER Christopher Burns

St Mary’s College Currently teaching: Years 7-12,120 students How did you come to be a secondary school teacher?

Prior to teaching I’d had a number of jobs that had a teaching component and found that that was the aspect that I enjoyed the most. Working as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Auckland while completing my Masters in History was my first real experience leading a classroom and that confirmed my interest in supporting learners.

Where did you train?

University of Auckland.

What brought you to your current school?

Fellow teachers who had some experience teaching at St Mary’s spoke very highly of the school. Then, when I visited, I was drawn to the feeling of community within the school.

CHILDREN’S BOOK REVIEW Squishy, Squashy Birds by C Van Wijk and A Munday.

Potton & Burton, HB $29.99 Prepare for laughter and chaos when the endangered birds that are trapped inside Sammy's book are finally set free. As Sammy's favourite New Zealand birds are squashed into the pages of his book, their quirky personalities and colourful plumages are hidden from the world. They perch in awkward positions on the pages, far from their beautiful natural habitats and unable to live in the wild. That is, until Sammy decides to share them with his class during Show and Tell. Next thing you know, he has unleashed unbridled birdy chaos!

Once the craziness subsides, could the birds and the children end up being best feathered friends? Beautifully illustrated by Carl van Wijk, Squishy Squashy Birds is the perfect book PN for those who love all things precious, wild and wonderfully New Zealand. F DOROTHY BUTLER CHILDREN’S BOOKSHOP, 1 Jervois Road, T: 09 376 7283 www.childrensbookshop.co.nz

What are your favourite things about being a teacher?

I enjoy the rhythm of the day, with a new bunch of students and new material every hour.

Also, as an English and History teacher a good deal of my time is spent reading, thinking about and discussing books, which is what I love to do anyway!

Highlight of your teaching career?

The end of my first year teaching was a highlight. It was a great feeling of accomplishment to know that I had got through all the challenges and finished confident my students had made good progress over the year.

Low point of your teaching career?

The first time you’re impersonated by students in a play or performance is always embarrassing, but it helps you get over yourself and recognise your own quirks.

How would your principal describe you?

As a dedicated professional who is eager to contribute to the school.

How would other teachers describe you?

I really appreciate having the chance to work with more experienced staff members. So I’d hope that colleagues would see me as a collaborative co-worker who is keen to share ideas and learn from others.

How would your students describe you?

Some students I asked commented that I’m always willing to do extra work to help them with their individual needs. It’s always my goal to have students see me as someone who is on their side and has their best interests at heart, so it’s great to hear that coming through.

If you could wave a magic wand in your classroom...

More students would retain the love of reading they have at 11 and 12 into their teenage years.

Five tips for mums and dads of secondary school kids 1. Let them know when you’ve recognised they’ve tried their best and look for the improvements they’ve made in their own work, rather than where they’re positioned in the class.

2. Parents can help a lot with students’ organisation. Check that they’re using a diary to record homework, assessments and other important dates.

3. Don’t assume kids can do everything with new technology. They may be masters of new apps and social media, but it’s likely they could do with some help naming and organising files and folders effectively.

4. Ask what they’re doing at school. They should be able to describe the unit of work they’re completing for each subject. If they can’t, they might need to ask their teacher for clarification.

5. Don’t be afraid to get in touch with child’s teacher if you have any concerns. We’re both primarily concerned with your child’s wellbeing and are most effective when we work in partnership.

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PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FUTURE GENERATION MISS SAIGON PLAYS AT KRISTIN SCHOOL Kristin Performing Arts is proud to be staging the hauntingly beautiful musical, Miss Saigon, with a talented cast and crew of over 100 students for this year’s Senior School production.

Written by the same creative team as Les Misérables, which was performed at Kristin last year, Miss Saigon is currently one of the biggest theatrical attractions in London’s West End. The powerful story, breath-taking score, and highly theatrical moments - including the landing of a helicopter on stage - ensure that opening night for Miss Saigon will be one of the most anticipated events of the term.

Kristin’s Director of Performing Arts, Lorna Rood, is excited for audiences to experience the power of this production. “We have over 100 students involved in bringing Miss Saigon to the stage. We have fantastic performers who have spent months preparing for the show as well as a fantastic crew who are involved in all aspects of stagecraft, from the music, sound and lighting, to wardrobe and stage management. It has been an incredible undertaking for everyone and the result is going to be spectacular.”

She also recognises that the show delivers a powerful message that will resonate with performers and audiences alike. “The timing is particularly poignant as we reflect on the effects of war through our Anzac commemorations.” While the students will be performing the school edition of Miss Saigon, the show still features the adult themes of war and decadence in wartime Vietnam and parental guidance is recommended.

Miss Saigon will be performed over three nights from 7-9 May. Tickets are on sale now from iticket.co.nz. F PN KRISTIN SCHOOL, 360 Albany Highway, Albany, T: 09 415 9566 www.kristin.school.nz

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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FUTURE GENERATION HELLO AGAIN TO OUR FELLOW PONSONBY RUGBY FANS...

Latest update from the finest fellows under 85kg: We’re progressing with speed in our pre-season, with all the boys showing great improvement in the dreaded YOYO fitness test. Ben Sinnamon scored a 20+ putting him on par with a lot of All Blacks (pretty easy when you don’t have legs). The next YOYO will be very interesting with the Big Bopper (James Oliver) going head-to-head with the Sausage Dog (Nathan Lawrence). Both looking to get scores of over nine for the first time.

We were invited to partake in the Bryan Craies U85KG cup at the start of March, where we beat last year’s top two Auckland teams. The boys were pretty happy to belt out what we hope is one of many victory songs. Wins have followed against Pakuranga Rattlers, Northcote and College Rifles Shooters to close out our pre-season.

We just played our first grading game against the Varsity Debt Collectors; with the Hustlers getting the four try bonus point winning 24 - 0. The game was a bit scrappy at times but we were still able to cross for a few tries. We have four more grading games to go before we are properly into the comp. We need two more wins to secure our spot in Division 1 and contest the 144 dozen Speights on offer.

Work wanted: In other news, we had a few young students join the team this year, who typically are a bit short of cash. Rather than beg, they are putting themselves up for work to pay their annual subs. These boys will do anything, however they do have a few specialist skills:

Angus Age: 18 Specialist skills: Rate: Phone: Luke Wynne Age: 18 Specialist skills: Rate: Phone:

From: Northland Pile driving, drain cleaning, bush whacking and toe nail clipping $15 cash p/h 021 038 4045 From: Northland Chauffeuring, massaging, rug cleaning and spray tanning $17 cash p/h 021 0277 0734

Edward (Ted) Brown Age: 18 From: Dunedin Specialist skills: Hosting parties, waxing, seed planting and pet shampooing Rate: $10 p/h if lunch is included Phone: 027 2137 701 Come as a trifecta for a special rate of $40 p/h.

Draw: 254 Ponsonby Road - aka Ponsonby Park is a step closer.

It would be great to have your support on the side-lines - we have the following games at home scheduled for May. Hustlers V. Pakuranga Rattlers at Cox’s Bay 1pm, 2 May Hustlers V. College Rifles Bombers 1pm, 16 May.

Introducing our new manager After an international search, Hustlers management are pleased to announce Michaela Barnes as the new manager of the Hustlers. Michaela brings a wealth of experience having been involved in a number of Wellington rugby clubs over her university years.

“I’m really excited about this opportunity and think I can bring an experienced hand to the back room. I think 2015 will be a great year for the mighty HBH, and I’m really eager to work with some of the young talent and nurture them to their full potential. I’m also the head talent scout, hence if any boys are interested please give me a text (anytime) on 021 183 7554.”

The Herne Bay Hustlers are proudly sponsored by: Ray White Ponsonby, Kiwipong, Natures Support, Save the Rhino, Action Tags, Muddy Farmer, Jag Kitchens, Wynyard Wood, Zurri Hairdressing, Corporate Cabs, Branch Off, Hall Machinery, Moxi Limited, Conbrio Technology Group, Baldwin Decorators, Ponsonby Central, Grangers, Elephant in the Room, IT Job Search, Chapel Bar, Bar 151, United Kitchen, Burger Fuel and Kiwi Rugby. (NATHAN LAWRENCE) www.ponsonbyrugby.co.nz/herne-bay-hustlers

YOUNG CIRCUS STUDENTS IN MOTION photography: Sandrina Hush LPSNZ

Students of the TAPAC-based In-Flight Circus School experience ‘the joy of flying and the art of letting go’.

92 PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2015

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FUTURE GENERATION

EDUCATED AT AUCKLAND GIRLS EQUIPPED FOR THE WORLD Auckland Girls’ Grammar School has been a proud member of this community for over a century.

Their beautiful Queen Anne style building was completed in 1908 and the first students and their 14 teachers moved in at the beginning of 1909. The school has grown to occupy most of one side of Howe Street 127 years later.

The school is proudly multi-ethnic and culturally diverse with over 1350 girls who come from throughout the Auckland region. The Auckland Girls’ Grammar School community reflects and celebrates the face of Auckland today.

The school’s vision statement is ‘Educated at Auckland Girls Equipped for the World’.

AGGS is committed to providing every opportunity for each of their girls to experience success and strive for personal excellence. They want their students to leave school understanding the responsibilities of being a global citizen, with the ability to uphold social, economic and cultural equality, promote human rights and respect and care for

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

the environment. To this end, Auckland Girls offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities aimed at raising awareness of these issues. Notable examples include: • For the last three years an AGGS student has been selected to attend the Sir Peter Blake Youth Enviro Leaders’ Forum.

• For two consecutive years, 2014 and again this year, an AGGS student is one of only 10 students in New Zealand selected to take part in the UN Youth Pacific Project. She will attend a prestigious UN Youth Australia National Conference followed by a cultural exchange to Vanuatu.

• Competing in and winning this year’s secondary school ‘Enviro Challenge’ competition.

Enquire about the opportunities Auckland Girls has to offer by attending the Open Day PN - Thursday 28 May www.aggs.school.co.nz F

DEADLINE - 20TH OF THE MONTH

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SIDELINE WITH GEORGE BERRY

FIFA tournament pie in the sky

The beast is the Warriors

I’m all for pushing boundaries, aiming for the sky and all that jazz, but anyone who thinks New Zealand hosting the FIFA World Cup any time soon is a possibility is quite simply on another planet.

Manu Vatuvei, New Zealand Warriors. New Zealand Warriors, Manu Vatuvei. No matter how or in which order you say them, to many in New Zealand they’re one and the same.

New Zealand does a great job hosting events, but the Football World Cup is on a whole other level and that type of pie in the sky thinking is actually unproductive.

For 12 of the 20 years the Warriors have been in existence Manu Vatuvei has been there, and every value the Warriors stand for is clearly represented in the man they call ‘The Beast’.

The money involved to produce such a tournament is ridiculous, and something a country of four and a half million could never achieve. And why should or would Australia give us a hand out to hold it in conjunction? They have plenty of cities themselves that would benefit from some of the smaller games if they’re to make a case and bid for it themselves.

Does, the other point that our team has only reached the actual tournament twice in the sport’s history not mean anything? Surely if our own team can’t get there under their own steam then we shouldn’t get it as an add-on.

But back to the cost of hosting the tournament, without going all left wing on it, there’s more than a hundred other things that could benefit from the sort of cash the government would be required to chip in to host such a thing; child poverty, education, hospitals and not to mention actually finishing the Christchurch rebuild just to name a few.

Sporting events provide a buzz while they’re on, and I’m all for something like a Rugby World Cup or even a Commonwealth Games again, something that we could actually manage, but a Football World Cup’s lasting impact on New Zealand would be significantly less than anything I’ve already mentioned.

When someone like world golf number one Lydia Ko returns she can only drag up a crowd of around 8000, so why oh why would anyone believe that we could pack out stadiums to watch a sport that’s only third most popular with our young people.

I also can’t see how a country in an entirely different time zone to many of the countries where football is the national sport would appeal to FIFA. It is not, and would not be commercially viable for FIFA or New Zealand. It’s great to have ideas that inspire people to do more, create more or just to think of things in a different way, but thinking this is a possibility is just plain not thinking at all. (GEORGE BERRY) F PN

At times his performances have been forgettable, yet at others so memorable they make up for every dropped ball or missed tackle tenfold. Already after just half a dozen games this season he’s on track to become one of the only players in NRL history to have scored in excess of 10 tries per season 10 years in a row.

Part of the reason Vatuvei has been ridiculed over the years is the exact reason that makes him so lovable, and why people come back every year, rain hail or shine, to watch the Warriors.

His effort in scoring that match winner is often the undoing of him, it’s often the same reason he drops that ball close to the line, or is the very reason he’s caught out of position due to the fact the play before he’d gone searching for the ball saying give it to me, I will win the game for us. He never gives up.

I was also informed that the day of his 200th celebration game he spent much of that day in hospital with his sick daughter, further highlighting a man who has his priorities in order.

When you speak to anyone around the club about ‘The Beast’ their opinion hardly differs.

“He’s just the man,” said Shaun Johnson.

“Mate, he is the Warriors”, said captain Simon Mannering. “He’s the guy you want with you when you’re running the ball, he’s the guy who has helped us out of so many sticky situations and yet he’s just the nicest guy. He’s committed to the team one hundred percent.”

The fans echo the same sentiments; “Manu is a true sportsman in every sense of the word, a true Warrior,” said one. “He’s beauty and the beast all in one,” said another.

Latu at the top of her game IT MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN IN AUCKLAND, AND SHE MAY HAVE HAD TO COME OFF THE bench but Catherine Latu certainly knows how to celebrate a milestone, dropping down a long range match winner to beat the Central Pulse 47-45 in her 100th ANZ Championship game. It certainly was a Champagne finish.

The funny thing was the surprised look on her face when the goal dropped. It was the same look she’s had right from her younger days when she landed goals she didn’t think possible. That night, like many others, the sharp shooter shot 100% so that look seemed totally unwarranted.

Initially playing for Samoa, Latu was ineligible to play in the ANZ Championship, but after she announced she would sit-out the necessary four year period to switch allegiance to play for the Silver Ferns, Latu was given an exemption to play for the Mystics. The move meant she missed the 2010 Netball World Champs in Singapore and didn’t make her debut for New Zealand until October of the following year against England.

Up until last year, just ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Latu was often in a three-way battle for one of two spots held by legend Irene van Dyke and Mystics captain Maria Tutia, who also celebrated her 100th ANZ Championship match earlier this season. However, with the retirement of van Dyke the road is now firmly cleared in Latu’s favour, and if she’s to keep fit and her usual standards up I’m sure there’s a heap more to come from the 28-year old.

Latu comes across as the shy type but has shown time and time again that she has the skills to foot it with the worlds best, and all I can say, as a Mystics fan, is that I’m glad she PN chooses to ply her trade here. (GEORGE BERRY) F

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Another thing that stands head and shoulders above everything else is that the kid from the Otahuhu Leopards is exactly what the club was initially formed for, to produce home grown talent and foster their development.

Signed to the Warriors development squad as a 16-year-old before making his first grade debut in 2004, Vatuvei’s first five games weren’t that memorable at all, playing all five without scoring a try. However, since crossing the chalk in round four of the following season Vatuvei has now become the equal highest try scorer in the club’s history.

It’s not often that a man with his size, 6ft 3in, has the pace to match and the heart in equal proportions.

It’s one reason he still plays on the wing however, just like the guy whose street Vatuvei grew up on, Ruben Wiki, there will probably become a time in the not too distance future that he moves into the forwards and that famous number five is replaced with an 11, 12 or 13.

Manu Vatuvei is everything a player should aspire to be and there’s no wonder people view the Warriors and ‘The Beast’ as one and the same. I think after 12 years of Vatuvei at the club, it’s he who has rubbed off on them, not the club having rubbed off on him.

It’ll be a true testament to the man if he’s able to see out his career at the Warriors, becoming what many professional sports people aspire to be, a one club man. (GEORGE PN BERRY) F

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PONSONBY PEOPLE + THEIR PETS ASK ALEX

REQUIRED: BIG HOMES FOR BIG DOGS!

Each month Dr Alex Melrose answers readers’ pet related issues. Email yours to: alex@vetcare.net.nz

Big dogs have great personalities and love attention. They’re generally calmer and more chilled out than smaller dogs, but still have energy to burn if you’re after a more active companion.

Q:

• Big dog, big attitude! Pookey is a bright, affectionate American Staffy X who had a rough start to life - but that doesn’t stop him being friendly, affectionate and a complete softy, often rolling around for a belly rub. Pookey would love a home with a confident owner to help him build his confidence.

Wolfegang has been in a fight with a neighbour’s cat, now he has an injury on his head I am worried about. The attack occurred about four or five days ago, and initially was just scratch to the head. I cleaned it at the time with alcohol wipes. Today the scab got scratched off by him and the injury looks a lot worse.

It’s gotten bigger and deeper and has a nasty smell with some fluid seeping out. I am worried; do you think Wolfegang needs to come in for a stitch or two?

Should I use a drop of my own surgical adhesive from my first aid kit into it? Should I wrap his head, he just shakes off the band-aids that I tried. Or should I just keep an eye on it and if the wound changes more in shape or colour then bring him in?

Sally, Mt Eden.

• Big dogs are bigger... so there’s more to love! Ace loves people and has learned to be expert at cuddles and loves to snuggle up. He would thrive in a fun, busy household with an experienced owner who will help him understand what’s expected of him.

A:

• Big dogs have big hearts... they have more love to give! Mr Big, a large Mastiff X aged eight years, is a sensitive chap. He has been known to lend a friendly paw and a listening ear to people who appear stressed. He doesn’t need to act like the biggest dog, because he is! This thoughtful and gentle chap will make your day, every day.

With deep fang punctures the infection gets trapped deep in the lower tissues, smoulders away for a few days beneath what is initially a small entry hole, and then explodes out like a mini grenade. Once the skin is infected and damaged to that degree you really need us to step in with antibiotics and pain killers.

• Big dogs have lots of energy... all the better to keep you fit. Beautiful Blue has boundless energy, all of which comes from being a Husky. She loves going on adventures and will happily take you for a walk! She would love her new owner to spend lots of time with her, keeping her busy mind active.

Don’t use the glue, it will just irritate the open wound, we probably won’t suture it either.

These infected areas usually heal better by secondary closure (shrinking in from the edges and from underneath) rather than stitching together.

SPCA Auckland is desperately looking for big homes for their big dogs!

Check out their dogs at www.spcaauckland.org.nz/dogs or call SPCA AUCKLAND, T: 09 256 7300. F PN

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

Ouch. When I think of the odd cat bites I’ve had to my hands, and how much they sting (didn’t cry, honest). I’ve often thought imagine what it feels like for these guys when they get bitten in the top of the head.

Cats hate bandages so I’d say you’ve tried everything you could at home yourself, please bring him up and we will sort him out from here. We will check his FIV virus status too which is a big risk when getting into cat scraps, which can be prevented by vaccination.

(DR ALEX MELROSE BVSC, MRCVS) F PN VETCARE GREY LYNN & UNITEC, 408 Great North Road & Gate 3, 101 Carrington Road, T: 09 361 3500, www.vetcare.net.nz

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LOOK... WHO IS IN THE ZOO!

Aucklanders will see Anjalee in June

Anjalee is a young elephant with a very large appetite.

The eight-year-old is currently chomping her way through 100 - 150kg of fresh food each day - from coconuts and coconut palm to elephant grass, banana palm and vi (a Niuean apple ) - all foods in plentiful supply on Niue. “When Anjalee first arrived here in Niue in March from her journey from Sri Lanka to begin her quarantine, she took a few days to settle in and regain her full appetite, but she’s more than made up for that now,” says the Zoo’s elephant team leader Andrew Coers.

“In fact, she’s a real guts but that’s a good thing for a growing elephant. It just means our local browse collector Sila, who is doing an awesome job, is kept super busy sourcing and harvesting supplies each day to keep up with her massive appetite.

“What Anjalee’s appetite also tells us is that she’s a really relaxed and happy elephant.

She eats throughout the day, but also through the night in between sleeping, and that’s exactly what we want,” says Andrew.

The recent arrival of sand for an elephant-style sandpit, sourced from the local quarry on Niue, was a big hit with Anjalee.

Local resident Sila Mokalei cuts coconut palms for Anjalee. Sila’s two-year-old grandson Lunga (pictured right), also loves to help.

Anjalee’s appetite for food is matched by her appetite for play and mischief - much to the delight of locals and tourists who can visit and view her from a public viewing platform.

“Anjalee’s like a big kid. She’s got heaps of energy and being such an intelligent animal, is also extremely inquisitive and mischievous. She’ll chase the chickens here, and she’ll also try and get her trunk on anything that looks interesting and is within reach. We’ve already had to mend the hose she managed to get hold of,” says Andrew.

Along with enjoying activities like dust-bathing and playing in the new sand, Andrew and the team are focused on progressing teaching Anjalee behaviours that are also used with Burma - like raising her trunk, lifting her legs, and opening her mouth for inspection.

These are an integral part of the Zoo’s elephant management programme which is based on building close bonds through trust and co-operation, affection and positive reinforcement. Walking - something Anjalee will do around the zoo like Burma does once settled in - and crate training, are the other key focuses in preparing Anjalee for her upcoming journey to Auckland Zoo in late June.

“Anjalee is doing incredibly well. We really couldn’t ask for better. She is super smart, good natured and social. Like Burma she’ll be an amazing conservation advocate for her species and our visitors are going to love her.”

The playful pachyderm is also loving lots of hose-downs, which help keep her cool in the Niue heat.

Follow Anjalee’s journey: Be sure to check out our Zoo Tales web series about Anjalee at youtube.com/aucklandzoo. Plus, like us on Facebook to follow her progress on Niue with Andrew and the team. facebook.com/AKLZOONZ

Mother’s Day Baby Loves Disco

Sunday 10 May 2015, 10:00am - 1:00pm Baby Loves Disco is going wild at Auckland Zoo for Mother’s Day! Come to a dance party among the animals featuring real music spun and mixed by DJ Jason Fa’Foi (What Now, Small Blacks TV and The Moe Show), blending classic disco and the latest pop music and guaranteed to get you and your little ones moving and grooving.

If it’s raining, don’t worry! We’ll move the party to the Old Elephant House so you can get your groove on and stay dry. Normal zoo admission prices apply. Friends of the Zoo members free.

96 PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2015

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PONSONBY PEOPLE + THEIR PETS

DISABLED DUNHILL RESCUED AGAINST THE ODDS, THOUSANDS SEARCH AND SHARE My 15-year-old deaf, blind Jack Russell dog Dunhill went missing recently, late at night from our home in Westmere.

I'd been away looking after my sick mum in Wanganui.

I tried not to fear the worst given his disabilities, he seemed to be up against the odds especially as we live near the mangroves and the water. Four long days and nights after he went missing, he was miraculously found in the swamp alive, but barely.

After looking in the dark by myself I knew I needed help to search the swamp at daybreak, so I took to social media. Thousands came forward to search for him and spread the word both online, and in person.

Apart from nearly 300 volunteers who turned up on my doorstep we also had kayakers and boaties take to the water and a drone and helicopter searching by air. All were donated by animal lovers, most of them Dunhill and I had never met before.

At its heart, Dunhill's ‘tail’ is a love story about humanity, generosity and of his heroes who came together to help find him.

It's a story of a little dog who while lost was never alone. It's about determination, the will to live and never giving up. It's about all the friends that Dunhill never knew he had, some as far away as England and New York. Ultimately, it's about love always winning in the end.

The support was overwhelming and humbling. This is a heartwarming story of community spirit, people came from as far as Pokeno to Puhoi.

It's a message of hope to others who are lost and of thanks to Dunhill's heroes, many of whom we will never know.

On a more personal note it's about some of these people; • The homeless man, who calls Lemington Reserve home, who knows the swamp like the back of his hand. He was Dunhill's night-time angel. I would sit with him in the wee small hours and share the food that had been dropped off at HQ hoping to hear Dunhill cry in the night. He never would tell me his name.

• The butchers, the cafe and dairy owners, the vets, the chemist, the dress shops, Dunhill's favourite fish and chip shop, all the businesses who gave up precious window and counter space for this furry guy as well as posted it on their social media sites.

• The 10+ kayakers and boaties who took to the water.

• The fellow animal rights activists who came out to support one of their ‘own’ in need.

One of whom sent up a drone.

• The helicopter pilot who many years ago had a dog go missing and wanted to help.

• The talented healers working to send him light and help guide us to him, some as far away as New York.

• The New Zealand animal lovers who couldn't physically come but worked their magic online spreading the message by clicking and sharing.

I rescued Dunhill when he was eight, he had been surrendered for roaming. He has always been a man around town and has always loved the ladies. So the irony that he had hundreds of women calling his name while he was out exploring is not lost. He's always been a survivor with a keen sense of adventure and a wry sense of humour.

So to end, it's a love story of humanity. Of being lost but never alone. Of determination, PN the will to live and that ultimately love always wins in the end. (ANGELA BEER) F www.facebook.com/dunhillsheroes The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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PONSONBY PEOPLE + THEIR PETS

BIRD OF THE MONTH The Saddleback Recent successes for the saddleback have led to it being removed from the rare and endangered classification.

Saddlebacks were extinct on the mainland for over 100 years, confined to offshore islands and in the early 1900s the North Island saddleback were confined to one population on Hen Island. Off the northeast coast of the North Island this single population has been the breeding population for numerous successful translocations.

The saddleback is now found on over 15 islands and many mainland predator-fenced sites. One of these is Zealandia in Wellington where an exciting discovery was recently made. A Zealandia employee discovered a saddleback nest outside the safety of the predator-fence, making it the first nest found in the predator infested mainland in more than 100 years. The two saddleback chicks have the most protection of any in the country with dozens of volunteers and Zealandia officers keeping watch over them.

Noreen Hegarty and Mac Noreen Hegarty is a communications specialist who has lived in Westmere since moving from Wellington to Auckland in November 1998.

Noreen is married to Colin and they have a son, Vincent, for whom the couple bought Mac, their gorgeous border terrier, for his birthday seven years ago. Mac was just a few months old.

How did you come to chose Mac? Friends had a border terrier from a breeder just out of Wellington and we thought the size and innate scruffiness suited our family, too.

How did Mac get his name?

Mac comes from Makara and my son and husband’s surname is McKay, so ‘Mac’ just suited him and fitted with his new family genealogy.

What is your favourite thing to do together?

Paddle boarding - he wanders around the board, I paddle.

The saddleback is part of the wattle family, along with the kokako, and the extinct huia.

All members have fleshy appendages on either side of their beaks, varying in colour.

These ‘wattles’ are vivid red on the saddleback. It is a similar size to a blackbird, and is conspicuous in scrub, especially on the forest floor.

They have a rust-red saddle across their back, hence their name. Saddleback were first described and identified as a species in 1789 by the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin and their Maori name, tieke, comes from the particular sound they make. They call frequently, a loud chattering, that often seems as if they are laughing. Males are very territorial and there are over 200 different rhythmic songs recorded for males.

Saddlebacks are active foragers, and can be found using the entire vertical forest, from canopy to forest floor. They are often found with fantails, whiteheads and other insecteaters while feeding. Saddlebacks disrupt insects and bugs, by scattering leaf litter, branches and leaves. They are poor fliers but have strong legs for bounding through vegetation while feeding.

The ground-dwelling lifestyle makes them extremely at risk to predation from introduced mammals. They roost and nest in tree cavities which are also easily accessed by possums and other predators. Saddleback are therefore only found and capable of surviving in locations free of these predators.

Does Mac have any friends?

Loads - he hangs out with several on a weekly basis at Barkley Manor where he was a founding pupil. Bean - another border terrier - is apparently one of his besties.

They were once widespread around New Zealand but declined rapidly once introduced mammals and humans established themselves. It has taken considerable conservation effort and protection to restore them to a ‘threatened’ status as opposed to a ‘a rare and endangered status. You can find saddleback on Tiritiri Matangi Island in the Hauraki Gulf.

What does Mac like to eat?

He’ll latch onto pretty much anything if I let him - wouldn’t trust him around a cat - but generally dry food and uncooked bones that are dotted around the garden, where not even he can find them! F PN

They are one of the most common and easily sighted species on the island, especially up the Wattle Valley track. If you don’t see one initially, follow the calls, you will most certainly PN hear them. (FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT) F

98 PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2015

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

FURRY AND FABULOUS - $500 PRIZE ANGELA BEER: ANIMAL LOVER

Meet Ange Tinker and her boys, Louis and Haggis You’ll find this fur family hanging out in Herne Bay at their fashion boutique Goodness on Jervois Road.

Since Goodness opened its doors in September 2014, it has been a style doyenne and doggie destination. Ange has said she has met the loveliest and most loyal of customers and their fur children who are always welcome inside. “They all know me and the boys, and literally drag their mums into the shop because they can sniff a treat and a great outfit!” Along with treats, water, shelter, and a dog parking station, cuddles are always on offer.

“Saturday is my favourite day because all the local poochies go walkies along Jervois Road and Louis the Bear (my westie) and Haggis (my Scotty - no surprises there) spend their entire day tail wagging, sniffing, playing and talking to everyone (well when Haggis isn’t next door at Janken looking for grains of rice to lick up off the floor).

Ange says her customers just love her boys being at the shop. “Especially the ones with little kids who are scared of dogs. They meet my two who are so placid and kind and it helps them get over their fears.” Louis will even roll over so they can make a wish and pat his magic tummy. Ange says, “his tail just never stops wagging

and he never stops smiling.” Haggis usually sits outside, policing the area, his beard and eyebrows are a constant source of amusement to passersby.

The current record to date in the store is eight dogs at once and not a snarl or puddle in sight. When asked what life lessons the boys have taught her, Ange answers “to be mindful where I step every day.” They have also taught her to love unconditionally. “The love they have for me, I see in their eyes and it just melts me on a daily basis. Sometimes I wonder what I have done so right in my life to have this love.”

Growing up on a farm, Ange had working dogs and hated they had to sleep outside on their hessian sacks in the kennels. She was worried they would be cold so she used to sneak out at night and bring them inside her bedroom for snuggles, but don’t ever tell her dad.

So as the weather cools, always know that you and your furries are more than welcome to pop into Goodness for some warmth and comfort, in the form of tailoring or treats.

If you know a local animal lover, email us at angela@petsandpats.com, the person featured in this column will receive a fabulous photoshoot and petservices worth $500.

Furry and fabulous, brought to you by Angela Beer, owner of petsandpats.com and Fiona Tomlinson photographer www.fionatomlinson.co.nz

SPCA cats also desperately seeking their forever home www.spcaauckland.org.nz/cats The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS KEEPING UP WITH THE CHANGING FACE OF BUSINESS Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. It’s a saying we all know, however, how many of us consider it when selecting the right business advisor?

Many advisory firms continue to operate in the same black and white, ‘traditional’ way while assuming this is what their client expects. In reality, businesses are changing, adapting and growing. Women are often playing a more significant role in the running and ownership of businesses and these factors mean clients actually require a more dynamic, modern approach.

Although women aren’t from another planet, they do often think, interact, build relationships and make decisions differently. Recognising that a different perspective in business can be a great advantage, here are a few tips for women in business: • • • •

Don’t be afraid if you naturally approach things differently, it can be a strength.

Ensure you charge what you’re worth, don’t undersell yourself.

Your business should be in an area you are passionate about. Love what you do!

Choose a solution-focused advisor who understands your needs and challenges.

Hayes Knight has a dedicated senior team of forward thinking and highly capable women who provide accounting, tax and advisory support. The team focuses on delivering top class service and tailoring advice to meet the specific needs of every client. With vast experience, Hayes Knight provide assistance ranging from typical tax and accounting services, to help with matrimonial and business valuations, due diligence and start-ups.

Discover how HAYES KNIGHT can meet your needs in this evolving world - contact their expert advisors on T: 09 414 5444 www.hayesknight.co.nz F PN

100 PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2015

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE - GETTING THE BASICS RIGHT MANY 40 TO 50 YEAR OLDS WHO ARE COMING OUT OF THE OTHER END OF RAISING a young family, have established themselves in a home and repaid much if not all of their debt, then get to a point in life when they ask themselves, “okay, where we can seriously begin to accumulate for retirement, what do we do and who do we trust?”

You probably need advice, in which case start maybe with the Mary Holm website - among other great information on her website she lists fee-only advisers, that is a good opener, someone not influenced by commissions - google ‘Mary Holm’.

Do some reading, it is an investment in your knowledge. Actually Mary’s book, ‘Get Rich Slow’ is an excellent introduction to investment. It will steer you away from speculative investment towards proven options and it will cover the key asset classes of cash, bonds, commercial property and shares.

As you read, you will understand one of the key principles of investment: that risk and reward are linked. Put simply, to improve your returns you must learn to tolerate some risk (volatility).

Assets that will provide strong capital gains over time will also move in value, both up and down. Beware though that returns too good to be true are usually just that so if you are reading about promised returns being well-above average market returns, ‘instant’ or ‘risk-less’ return then the alarm bells must start ringing for you.

Because we don’t know for sure how you would react to your assets moving down and up in value, part of the investment advice process includes a risk profiling exercise so you and your adviser can both understand the level of volatility that you can cope with. And inevitably the conclusions drawn are that you will need a spread of assets across all asset classes.

Jocelyn Weatherall

Phil Ashton

Richard Knight

This leads to the most important investment principle of diversification.

Diversification ensures you cannot be caught with all your eggs, as they say, in one basket. Good global diversification is essential if you want to minimise risk while actually improving return.

A good retirement plan will take in to account what is important to you and use various ‘levers’ to push and pull in order to achieve your goals; such levers could be taking more risk in order to achieve a higher long-term return or taking less risk but save harder or adjusting timeframes to still achieve your goals.

For a free no obligations chat and a coffee please get in contact with one of our financial advisers.

Rutherford Rede Limited, www.rutherfordrede.co.nz T: 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.

THE IT RECRUITMENT SPECIALISTS RESPOND...

Q: A:

Q: A: Q: A:

I have an important interview coming up, what is your advice for success?

It is important that you go as well prepared as possible. You should always have done your research as to the company, the person you will be meeting and the role you are interviewing for. Viewing the company website and any social media sites will provide excellent insight as to the culture of the company. Ensure you examine and are comfortable with the job description and prepare detailed examples of your previous work experience that will give assurance you have the necessary experience and competencies the company are seeking. Be on time and be as professionally groomed as possible.

Any tips for the actual interview?

It’s crucial that you are yourself and as calm as you can be. It’s normal to be nervous in this setting, but ensure you take your time and breath when answering questions. Maintain eye contact with your interviewers and always be honest - if you don’t have the answer be honest and say so. Ensure you also ask at least a couple of relevant questions-for example: What opportunities might exist in the future within the organisation?

Who should I nominate to be my employment referees?

Generally speaking, employers want to talk to your most recent direct Managers, if your current manager is not possible, your previous manager and possibly a current peer. Make sure you gain their permission before you nominate them so they are prepared for the call.

If you are considering your work options this year or you are looking to grow your team with either contract or permanent resource, give the team a call.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS: METROLAW GOT A LEGAL QUESTION? ASK MICHAEL@METROLAW.CO.NZ

Email Michael with your question and include PONSONBY NEWS in the subject line. Michael Hemphill, a partner of the firm, will answer one topical question each month.

Q:

I have been trying to buy a property for some time but property just seems to keep on getting more expensive. I have finally found a flat that I like and it seemed much cheaper than other properties like it but I now understand that the property is leasehold. What does this mean and is this something I should be worried about?

A:

There are a number of structures for the ownership and control of land that include a lease as part of the structure, but generally leasehold means that the land underlying the property belongs to another person.

There are areas of Auckland where leasehold is quite common such as the land owned by the Cornwall Park Trust Board around One Tree Hill and much of the reclaimed land on the Auckland waterfront.

When a property is leasehold this means that in addition to any mortgage payments you will also have to make rental payments to the owner of the land. Because you will pay less for leasehold property you may find that even when you add in the rental payments you are still paying less for the property than you would have to if you bought it outright.

You may end up living in a better property and in a better location than you would be able to afford if the property were not leasehold. This is an important consideration when houses are not very affordable as they are at the moment.

However, there are downsides to leasehold property. If money was not a concern most people would prefer to own the property outright as a fee simple title, rather than a leasehold where there is an ongoing obligation to pay rent.

This may affect the liquidity of the property, how easily and how quickly you can sell the property, and this can have a direct effect on the sale price.

Usually when you buy residential property you expect there to be some capital gain, but often a lot of the increase in value is related to the increase in the value of the land rather than the buildings on the land.

When you buy a leasehold property the rental may seem minimal but you need to consider when the rent is reviewed and how often it is reviewed. If there is a long period between rent reviews (such as 10 years) then when the rent is reviewed it may be hard to afford this rent immediately after then renewal date, although over the term of the lease it may average out to be more reasonable.

There have been instances when people have walked away from a leasehold property (or sold it for $1 reserve) when they are unable to pay the reviewed rental.

There may be opportunities to freehold the property. The Cornwall Park Trust have sold some of their underlying freehold titles to leasehold owners from time to time when they want to access some capital.

You may not have any control over whether you get the option to freehold the property and you would need to be in a financial position to take the option if it was offered.

There are both pros and cons of buying leasehold property. But to proceed confidently you need to have a clear understanding of the underlying lease.

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

102 PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2015

PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)

PONSONBY PROFESSIONALS: LOGAN GRANGER

Challenges to starting your own business Statistics show that two thirds of students who fail exams do so by 5% or less. The lesson from this is quite clear - the gap between success and failure is small - small things matter!

While starting and maintaining a business is more complex that sitting an exam, the lesson is fundamental to the success and profitable commercialisation of your business idea small things matter. The main focus for startup and early stage businesses should include the following four points:

1. The plan - the business plan and business life cycle - what’s the big picture?

Planning is fundamental to business success. It’s the key to getting things done and making sure they happen. It is the main tool to help you manage your day to day operations and guide you to success. You can get your business advisors to help you with this step but ultimately it’s your business and you will understand it best, so your input is important.

A strategic plan will include budgets and cashflows and these provide a tool to help you measure your success, they also provide a road map for the future. You may need them to pinpoint funding shortfalls and you will need them to help you secure funding facilities from your bankers. These plans will ensure the purpose and vision of the business is aligned with practical and measurable actions and results.

2. The structure - get it right at the beginning When deciding on a structure you should consider these key elements: control, ownership, taxation, asset and wealth protection and exit options and succession. These will help you decide on the type of structure suitable for your needs now and in the future.

The main types are as follows: sole trader, partnerships, trusts and companies. There are advantages and disadvantages in using any of the above structures and in many situations you would use a combinations of these, eg, a company whose shares are held by a trust or a trust with a corporate (company) trustee.

The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

3. Cash - it’s the oxygen of the business Cash management for a start up business is paramount, in most cases startups don’t fail because they aren’t profitable but because they run out of cash. The critical issue will relate to your ability to conserve and control cash and you need to be relentless in your attention to this. Negotiate credit terms - as long as possible with your supplier but as short as possible with your customers. Resolve issues on any invoices very quickly as these cause delays in getting payment from your debtors and can create conflict with your customers.

4. Systems and information - what you need to measure, so you can manage An information system is needed to capture the data to help you measure your performance against your budgeted business plan. You need to be able to view your bank, debtor and creditor positions easily. It needs to be timely so that you can see potential problems and deal with them quickly and efficiently. Your information system must be simple and easy to operate and easily understood so you can act on them with confidence.

PN (LOGAN GRANGER) F If you have any questions or would like to discuss your financial reporting further, please do not hesitate to contact Logan Granger or Chris Sprott on T: 09 361 6701.

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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HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

STEP INSIDE GRANDMA’S BRAIN

KEEPING PACE WITH TECHNOLOGY

Writer Ann Andrews will be familiar to many as author of Positively Parkinson’s, the book which Sir John Walker described as a bible for everyone who has the condition.

The team at Spark Business Auckland are on hand to help local businesses get the most out of their communication systems.

Ann’s latest release is Grandma’s Brain, a warm and delightful picture book for the children and grandchildren of those with Parkinson’s.

After the publication of Positively Parkinson’s in 2011, Ann travelled around New Zealand speaking to fellow people with Parkinson’s, and their caregivers and families. In the years that have followed, editions of her book have gone on sale in Australia, Great Britain and the United States; she’s been thanked Ann Andrews with Professor Richard Faull time and time again for giving renewed hope and understanding; and she has received a Queen’s Service medal for Services to the Community.

Now Ann is back with a much-anticipated follow-up: a delightful illustrated book for children based on her own experiences. She has written Grandma’s Brain to be read to children who have a parent or grandparent with Parkinson’s. She hopes kids enjoy the story and that it provides reassurance and a better understanding of the condition - or indeed any brain disorder.

Ann is the grandma in the title, and the two characters are her real-life grandchildren Jack and Adam. Can I catch it? Is it because you are old? Will it make you die? These are all questions gently answered in the book. Importantly, Grandma’s Brain also shows youngsters the simple things that they can do to help.

Grandma’s Brain is a 32-page children’s book with a recommended retail price of $20.

Copies are available from the website www.grandmasbrain.com which also has further information, a teachers’ guide and Ann’s blog.

Grandma’s Brain was made possible through the generosity of the Neurological Foundation. For more information, or to place a bulk order, contact: Julian Andrews, Publisher, M: 027 5545 224, E. julypublishing@xtra.co.nz or Ann Andrews, Author, T: 09 307 9195, E. ann@iconz.co.nz F PN

104 PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2015

“Often it’s assumed that all we do is mobile phones when, in reality, there’s a large range of other digital and ICT products and services we have on offer,” says Stephen Hurst, Auckland Business Hub Manager.

“Technology moves very fast and what was viewed as the best option for your business historically might now in fact be holding you back in terms of business growth and new revenue channels.”

The scope of services Spark Business now offers has increased from mobile services into a full telco and ICT range.

When asked to elaborate on their service offering, Stephen responded, “We have realised there is a need to provide our clients a one-stop-shop for all technology requirements.

Through various partnerships we can now offer a large range of services from web development through to integrated communications across a range of devices. We’ve put a lot of time and effort into ensuring we have it all covered for our customers.”

Your local Spark Business is well stocked with local personnel. All staff live in Auckland and that’s for a good reason. “We find that many customers say it’s great to deal with someone who really understands what it’s like to live and do business in Auckland.”

Stephen continued on, “All our staff are involved in our community and we think this provides the sort of local knowledge that cannot be taught.”

Spark Business Auckland operates normal office hours and their team of dedicated account managers are available to visit your business if that is easier than visiting their location. “We would love the chance to review your businesses communications and offer advice or ideas on ways it could be improved.

We offer a business communication audit to anybody in the Auckland CBD, whether you’re an existing Spark customer or not. There is no obligation to act upon our suggestions, but often the direct cost savings mean most people see the logic, and upgrade where needed.”

Call in and see your local Spark Business for a free discussion about what can be done PN for your business. F SPARK BUSINESS AUCKLAND, Level 3, 30 Ponsonby Road, T: 0800 248 942 www.spark.co.nz

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REAL ESTATE UPDATE: KAREN SPIRES

Property sales show CVs past their ‘use-by-date’ It’s been just five months since Auckland Council released its latest capital valuations, but research suggests they are already well out of date.

The Bayleys Research division analysed a sample catchment area of 11 Auckland suburbs where sale prices were recorded up to 316% above the latest valuations.

Herne Bay was found to have the highest average price variation for homes selling above their CV at 13.5%.

The discrepancies are most noticeable in areas where there are strong levels of buyer interest and high end homes, including the city fringe suburbs of Freemans Bay, St Marys Bay, Ponsonby and Grey Lynn.

While the capital valuations left many property owners with a sour taste in their mouths as they anticipated hefty rates rises, the value of their homes on the open market now should provide welcome piece of mind. (KAREN SPIRES) F PN Karen Spires is a Bayleys Real Estate ‘Top Achiever’ - placing her sales data among the top 5% of salespeople within the company.

Auckland Council valuations for these suburbs, published in November, showed an average 33% increase since the last valuations were released in 2011.

Further growth over the past five months is difficult to pinpoint, but unsurprisingly our sales data is proof enough that CVs are a poor indicator of actual value on the open market.

Selling at auction fuels this variation, with the true value of a home being reflected in how much a buyer is willing to pay when faced with competition from other buyers.

A perfect example is one of my recent sales, an original Herne Bay villa in Albany Road that sold under the hammer for $1,630,000 - more than 10%, or $160,000, above its capital valuation. The home attracted an incredible 20 bids in less than four minutes.

We always take this fluctuation potential into consideration when appraising and marketing a property and it is equally as important for purchasers to keep this in mind when preparing offers or setting a bidding cap at auction.

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THE HISTORICAL BOROUGH OF PONSONBY AND GREY LYNN: STREET NAMES

Hargreaves Street Joseph Hargreaves was born in Liverpool in 1821. While still a young man he emigrated to New Zealand, settled in Auckland and purchased a property in East Tamaki where he lived for many years.

The colony offered ripe pickings during those early times with Crown Land Grants favouring speculators and pastoralists who were allowed to take up large tracts of land, while those who hadn’t the wherewithal turned to market gardening or dairying on small farms. This was the main pattern of settlement back then and small farming didn’t thrive when wool became the major export which placed favourable emphasis on large properties.

Hargreaves eventually sold his station and removed to the Kaipara where he purchased a large tract of land from the local Maori, or natives, as they were referred to back then.

He was elected to represent the Auckland Suburbs in the House of Representatives in 1860 and was also a member of the Auckland Provincial Council. He married Miss Spain, daughter of Mr Spain who was Land Commissioner and an eminent barrister.

Records differ as to how many children he sired, one source claims he had four sons and two daughters and another that he had only one son. He was a keen sportsman and particularly fond of field games but otherwise led a very retiring life. Being a successful breeder of racehorses, he must have relaxed his retiring habits from time to time because he was always conspicuous on the grand stand at Ellerslie meetings.

Mention must be made of Mrs Hargreaves, who landed here on Christmas Eve 1841 after a journey that was adventurous to say the least. She sailed from England in the Prince Rupert which had to put into Bahia in order to set ashore the captain, who had fallen sick. Another captain took command, but provisions ran out and the ship had to stop at Capetown. The new commander mistook the anchorage and the vessel was totally wrecked. The passengers lost all their possessions and had to wait in Capetown till a small brig, the Antilla, was chartered to bring them to Auckland and, for Miss Mary Spain, to a life of happiness and prosperity. By the time she died in 1880 at the age of 84, she was one of Auckland’s oldest settlers.

Like many of those who purchased land from the Maori in the early days, they did so without knowing much about titles, relying upon the sellers’ word or bond. They took possession of the land and enjoyed undisturbed occupation believing the transaction was completely valid. Many in subsequent years found themselves subject to inquiry before the Maori Land Board, one of them being W.H. Hargreaves. Joseph had predeceased his wife and when she died her executors forwarded a petition to parliament asking for title validation of 185 acres he had bought for £100 between the Utamatea and Oruawhare Rivers. The block adjoined his property and the transfer was signed at the time but no trace of it could be found.

Upon completion of the purchase, Hargreaves took immediate possession and fenced the land in with his existing property. From that time forward he and his family remained there in undisputed possession and occupation with no attempt ever being made to oust them. Hence the executors’ petition was the only means of securing the title that had been lost. When the matter came before the Maori Land Board, the original Maori vendors’ successors opposed the application. Evidence was given by Aperanika Wi Karaka and his sister, Makareta Kerei Mu, both declaring that their father, Wi Karaka had told them the block had not been transferred by a sale and that payment for use of the the land was a horse. Now they wanted money instead of a horse. Both stated that they had not objected to the Hargreaves’ occupation of the land.

President of the Takurau Maori Land Board, Judge T. H. Wilson, reviewed all the stated facts and decided after having heard all the evidence, was satisfied an actual sale of the block had been made to Mr Joseph Hargreaves and that the transfer from the Maori owners to him should be validated, much to the relief of the worthy man’s descendants.

PN (DEIRDRE ROELANTS) F

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HEIDI PADAIN: ENTERTAINMENT IN YOUR GARDEN As a mad-keen photographer, there are times when I go to great lengths to get the perfect shot. Occasionally I will use props, tools, fruit and all manner of wacky devises to entice a bird to engage with me.

One of my favourite birds is the riroriro, the grey warbler. Their haunting, spiritual song just pulls at my heart strings. It’s not an easy thing to explain, and this bird is definitely not easy to photograph. They flit around very quickly and prefer to be deep in the bush, so getting a foreground shot of a grey warbler is quite rare.

To get this particular shot I downloaded a ring tone on my mobile. The sound of the grey warbler song was so true to life that it did entice this warbler out of the bush, and at one point it almost landed on the mobile phone itself. I used high speed continuous shooting.

It was one of those ‘yay!’ moments. To see the grey warbler’s image in such detail is delightful. I love showing this photograph off, as most people will find that hearing them is more likely than actually seeing them.

Like most things in life you can’t always plot and plan, there are those opportune moments that you have to grab, so I have learned to keep the camera close at hand as much as possible. Whilst gardening on my deck I suddenly noticed a fluffy black and white bird, small, cute and, well, very friendly. It took me a while to recognise this bird, as I had never laid eyes on one before now. The lovely miromiro, or Tomtit, was almost extinct, but then a small number were reintroduced into the Waitakere Ranges in roughly 2008. I was so excited once I realised what it was, I could barely breathe whilst taking this photograph.

Occasionally birds do things that I view as somewhat out of character, such as this male quail which was happily scratching around in the undergrowth as you would expect, then, appears later in the day, some 25 feet up in a tree over hanging our deck. My regular visitors, the tui family, didn’t know what to make it. I, of course, did. I grabbed the camera, and later marvelled at just how beautiful and colourful quails are.

Recently I’ve had a morepork chasing a fluorescent yellow tennis ball, but I’m not giving away much more of that story just yet. You will have to wait until the June issue of Ponsonby News to find out more. (HEIDI PADAIN) F PN To see some of Heidi’s other photographic work go to www.flickr.com and type Heidi Padain into the search box, or, you can contact Heidi by email hidihi@xtra.co.nz

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RENOVATING AN OLDER HOME? Now’s your chance to include all of those storage options you always wished you had!

The Wardrobe Company’s extensive range of sophisticated bespoke wardrobes and superior storage products incorporate top quality materials in the latest styles and colours.

They’ll transform those cavernous old wardrobes by reconfiguring the space with efficient, stylish shelving and drawers to hold anything from the short to the tall, the large to ‘the smalls.’ They work collaboratively with their clients, including many of Auckland’s leading interior designers, architects, and builders to provide superior storage solutions. F PN For a free initial in-home consultation, contact: THE WARDROBE COMPANY, T: 0800 CLOSET (0800 256 738) www.thewardrobecompany.co.nz

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UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Jess Graham, Le Monde Who is your partner?

Rob Graham, he works for 2degrees as a network architect. We’ve been together for 15 years which is almost half our lives, and married for seven years. He’s an absolute superstar. I can’t imagine life without him! We have a gorgeously determined 2½ year old daughter, Taylor and a 9-year-old active Tibetan terrier, Khata.

How do you keep fit?

I’ve just got back into going to FIT studio in Grey Lynn after being a bit AWOL recently.

Nothing like a good work out to de-stress and re-energise yourself.

Your best friend would say of you...

I’m talkative and loud but I hope they would also say I’m caring, sincere and supportive.

Your mother would say of you...

I actually had no idea what she would say about me so I had to ask her, she said, “responsible, passionate, a great sense of fairness, loving”.

What are your virtues?

I’m loyal, approachable and optimistic.

And your vices?

Wine, cheese, and a hot water bottle at night (even in the some of the summer months).

Who's your ultimate rock icon?

I’m a bit of a secret rock lover so it’s hard to choose. Maynard Keenan, the leader singer from Tool and Perfect Circle is probably the first person that comes to mind, however you can’t look past the legends of the 80s.

What’s your secret passion?

Arts and crafts. My mum and sister are the creative ones but I love to give it a go when I have the time. I would love to get into quilting.

What's your secret talent?

I don’t think I have a “secret” talent. I’m a bit of an open book. I do seem to have a pretty good intuition and uncanny ability to feel that something’s happened before it has.

Where do you live?

In the ‘golden triangle’ of Panmure. It’s been a lovely wee community but we are about to hunt for something a bit closer to work so we get more down time with our daughter.

Where do you spend your holidays?

We love going up to Matapouri. We stay in an unassuming typical Kiwi batch. The whole family go up over Christmas so there ends up being a bunch of us: aunts, uncles, cousins and now the cousins’ children. I have a large family so it’s always so much fun having a week or so together hanging out.

What's your perfect Sunday?

I love it when my daughter crawls into bed with us; sometimes we watch a few sneaky cartoons. It’s almost as good as a sleep in. Sundays are definitely the day I prefer to potter, go for a walk around the bays, spend some time on the beach (if it’s warm) and then a glass of wine or two in the evening with friends.

What were you going to be when you grew up?

I think a teacher - I strongly remember lining up all my teddy bears and dolls up and doing roll calls like a teacher would. We lived on a boat for a few years cruising the Pacific Islands while I was younger and I did correspondence, so school and teachers was a glamorous idea to me.

How did you come to be a business owner?

My parents have always owned their own businesses, so that’s always been the ultimate goal. The whole idea of opening a store in Ponsonby was born one night having a few wines with my hubby and parents. It was a big move to leave my career but homeware

has always been a passion of mine, so I am incredibly lucky to be able to combine my job and passion and it’s also a privilege to be able to follow in my parents’ footsteps, and be part of such a well-regarded brand.

If you weren’t a business owner you’d be..?

I had been working in telecommunications prior to this, most recently as the Field Sales and Channel Development Manager at Skinny Mobile. I would without a doubt still be there if I wasn’t doing this. It was hard to leave such an awesome team.

What’s your favourite Ponsonby Cafe?

The Williamson, it has got me through some pretty long hours recently as I’ve set up the business. I’ve never drunk so much coffee!

And your favourite Ponsonby restaurant?

I love the vibe of Ponsonby Central as a whole.

What’s your favourite Ponsonby store?

TK, and I’m excited to see Repertoire here now too.

What's inspired you recently?

Music, I’m in love with Spotify.

What would be your desert island distraction?

A Jodi Picoult book.

The house is on fire and your family is safe - what do you save?

Photos - which these days would probably mean my hard drive. I am absolutely obsessed with photos.

“I'd be lost without my...”

Family - my family is my everything.

One thing you have learned about life is..?

You don’t need to please everybody.

What’s your advice to Ponsonby homewares shoppers?

Be brave. Take time to decide on the style you like but also be brave and try out new things. When it comes to homeware I think it’s important not to blindly follow trends.

I don’t feel that there are any rules; as long as you follow what you love, your house will encapsulate your personality and therefore feel like a home.

LE MONDE, 36 Pollen Street, T: 09 376 2993, www.le-monde.co.nz

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HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS LE MONDE OPENS SECOND SHOWROOM After 12 years as one of the premier inspired homeware stores in Parnell, Le Monde has opened an exciting new space in Ponsonby at 36 Pollen Street.

The Le Monde Parnell and Ponsonby team. www.le-monde.co.nz F PN

L to R: Laura Hoggan, Jo Tuck, Craig Davies, Carolyn Cawdron, Jess Graham and Noelle Davies

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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

Flying the Airbus A380

By Gib Vogel (The Crowood Press UK) Since its first flight on 27 April 2005, the Airbus A380 has been the largest passenger airliner in the world. Instantly recognisable with its full-length upper deck, it represents the pinnacle of modern airliner design. Flying the A380 gives a pilot’s eye view of what it is like to fly this mighty machine.

It takes the reader on a trip from London to Dubai as the flight crew see it, from pre -flight planning, through all the phases of the flight to shut-down at the parking stand many thousands of miles from the departure point.

My only flight so far on this extraordinary aircraft was a treat of flying Emirates business class from Auckland to Sydney and back. With a bar onboard and flat beds, I’m now looking forward to flying it long haul very soon.

JAY PLATT

The Persona Protocol

By Andy McDermott (Headline Publishing) As the lead agent of the United States government’s top secret Persona Project, Adam Gray is its most valuable weapon in the ongoing war on terror.

Experimental technology enables him to take on the personality and memories of anyone anytime, be it a Russian arms dealer or a high stakes gambler or a nuclear scientist. Whatever secrets they have, he will know. But the most dangerous secrets of all are the ones that are his own, and he will do anything to keep them.

When Adam hunts down a terrorist plotting to murder millions, he begins to realise that although he can delve in and out of the minds of others, his own mind remains a mystery. Hidden in his past is the key to a deadly conspiracy and its masterminds will stop at nothing to conceal their crimes.

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ADDING WOW FACTOR TO YOUR HOME Simply Youneek is owned and operated by Graham and Mary Little and whilst currently located in Victoria Park Market, they will be relocating to Ponsonby later this month.

Graham, a builder by trade and Mary, a successful sales consultant, have over the years taken breaks from their respective roles and combined their entrepreneurial skills to effectively start a number of businesses. With this latest venture their thoughts are to have beautiful furnishings and items surrounding them, hence the name ‘Simply Youneek’ (unique).

The stock in Simply Youneek is forever changing and to offer that wow factor, new and exciting items arrive regularly. This is the perfect place to buy gifts or make a special statement in your home or business.

Most of the standout items comprise large floor lamps, wall discs, mirrors, large floor vases - all are handmade. They have an Indonesian flavour and are typically made from nature’s natural ingredients: jungle vine, bamboo, sea shells, coconut pulp, and dried palm tree leaves which make these truly spectacular.

Some of the smaller items include abstract bowls, dishes, vases and ornaments, made from solid, highly polished aluminium with bright baked on enamel colours. Soon to be in-store is a unique fashion range, ’Ms Tania’ designed by Graham and Mary’s daughter Tania.

This month Simply Youneek is fundraising for the Starship Children’s Hospital by way of a raffle with the prize being one of their amazing 1.5 metre high Almika floor lamps. Tickets are available in-store.

Opening hours: 10am to 3pm, Wednesday to Sunday or shop online.

SIMPLY YOUNEEK, Victoria Park Market, Freemans Bay, T: 09 302 3538, www.simplyyouneek.co.nz

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ASK AN ARCHITECT: DANIEL MARSHALL Each month architect Daniel Marshall answers readers’ property related questions.

Q:

I read the magazine ‘Home’ a lot and I notice that architects often use the word ‘context’ but don’t really make it clear what they mean by that. Would you be able to explain it for me?

A:

The notion of context came up a lot in the recent talk by architect Richard Nash following his well deserved win at the Home ‘NZ Home of the Year’ award for a new Grey Lynn family house.

Context is one of those things that is very much interpreted in the mind of the beholder. Auckland Council sees the context of Grey Lynn as being ‘historic‘ and thus insist that all new buildings lie prostrate to that interpretation. This interpretation of context has the great danger of turning architecture into sentimental provincialism, whereas vital products of architecture are always born from an open confrontation between the universal and the unique, the individual and the collective, the traditional and the revolutionary.

Provincialism is a danger when one element of context is prioritised above others. In the case of inner city Auckland, the danger is that we will be left with a perverted imprint of British colonialism; think Devonport. Context,

when considered within an architectural framework, is a reflection of both place and identity, the macro and the micro.

Some years ago I spent some time with Glenn Murcutt, very much one of the proponents of the arrière-garde of critical regionalism and the Australian winner of the 2002 Pritzker Prize for Architecture. His examination of context was focused on the macro, he would camp on the site, examine the path of the sun, watch the wind wave through the grass, the line of the hill and the moss on the trees. He said to me that a gutter should be as wide as the largest leaf in proximity, travelling sideways.

His architecture thus responds to the climate of the site, but is also recognised as transcending his modernist roots, and establishing an architectural response that recognises a democratic multiculturalism.

A wonderful example of employing the idea of context in the macro relates to the prevalent wind and what is known as the Venturi effect. If one places smaller openings on the windward side of a house, and larger openings on the leeward side, then air will flow naturally through the house without creating drafts.

Context diagram

As Richard Nash said, an appropriate response to context, will by necessity result in a change to the context, and in an inner city environment architects have not just a responsibility to their clients, where they read the micro environment of the site to maximise sun, areas of shelter from the wind and the rain, but also to the cultural and physical macro environment so that historic, cultural, urban design and matters of sustainability are addressed.

If only one aspect is prioritised, then the others suffer, resulting in a degradation of the built environment.

So, to answer your question: context is not just about the specifics of the environmental conditions of a site, it is not just about the things around the site or preserving a history, it is the range; from examining the wind on a blade of grass, to the implication of the future use of the building and how it will impact the future of the buildings surrounding it. That is why architects use the PN word a lot. (DANIEL MARSHALL) F DANIEL MARSHALL ARCHITECTS, 472 Karangahape Road, T: 09 354 3587 www.marshall-architect.co.nz

A house in context

PUT YOUR FEET UP THIS WINTER The sinuous lines and wide, cosy seat of the Lazy armchair

by Italian Designer Michele Menescardi from Calligaris tempt you to take time out and relax from your busy life.

Put your feet up on the optional footstool and let your worries melt away.

The soft seat and lumbar support cushion makes this armchair extremely comfortable and it can be customised to fit your needs. It comes in a variety of fabric and leather with your choice of wood or metal legs. F PN Lazy is available exclusively from DAWSON’S FURNITURE, 1/1 Holder Place, Rosedale, T: 09 476 1121 www.dawsonsfurniture.co.nz

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MY FAVOURITE ROOM Elaine Bell Elaine Bell has lived in Herne Bay area for the past 20 years, bar a small stretch in St Mary’s Bay. A busy mum, she loves the easy walking access to the local shops, cafes, restaurants, beaches and the gym. The keen exerciser can often be found striding round the area; she’s not adverse to a glass of good wine at her local either.

A talented decorator, Elaine has lavished her villa with attention and taste, but her favourite room is her bedroom. “It’s my quiet room,” she says, “for sleeping, relaxing, calmness, reading, and chatting with girlfriends on the couch in the side bay window.”

The room is Elaine’s favourite because it lets in a beautiful light, which reflects off the chandelier. Elaine tells Ponsonby News, “This used to be the lounge but when we renovated I changed the space to a bedroom. I hung the antique French chandelier off the pressed iron ceiling rose and chose soft hues of colour for the wallpaper, which generate a sense of peace and serenity.”

Elaine is hard pressed to choose a single ‘favourite thing’ in the room; she lists the pressed ceilings, the ceiling rose, the French chandelier, the couch, the bay window, and the natural light. The room is also a favourite of Rudolf the giant cat, who “must be indulging in neighbourhood food”. F PN

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HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

THE PERFECT SEATING ARRANGEMENT 1. Hudson A timeless classic with a contemporary twist. The subtle buttoning and soft seat cushion make this chair a stunning and inviting feature piece.

1

2

2. Kent Chair With its tubular sleigh base and simple design, the Kent chair looks great in any space. Available in any fabric or leather of your choice.

3. Manox This design is deep and luxurious. With an extra feather cushion on each seat and big proportions, this sofa is made for comfort! Available in sofa and PN corner suite configurations. F

3

FORMA, 51-53 The Strand, Parnell T: 09 368 7694 www.forma.co.nz www.facebook.com/formafurniturenz

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YOYO ROLLS INTO PONSONBY Mention YOYO and what typically springs to mind is the classic children’s toy whose simple, functional design has remained unchanged for over two and a half thousand years.

Todd and Fiona Hayvice see proof that great design can have an infinite lifespan hence, choosing YOYO as the perfect name for a store that sources, designs and customises inspiring Kiwi furniture, home ware and lighting.

Furniture is in Todd’s blood - he’s the third generation of a Wellington family of renowned furniture manufacturers and retailers. Growing up as willing chief duster and merchandise displayer, his eye for design was rewarded with his own line and a Country Theme in Christchurch to open and run.

Keen to try his hand in the international furniture market, Todd set up an importing business wholesaling home accessories in Australia, and a buyer from David Jones took him from start-up to success overnight.

Respected in the industry, he accepted a position with IKEA to mastermind annual designs for the Australian market and assist with set-up of the second largest store in Europe.

Returning to New Zealand, Todd and Fiona were perturbed that Kiwi design was not being spun-out on its own shores. Drawing on his retail furniture experience and her years in Account, Event and Project Management, YOYO Furniture Design by Kiwis was born in Wellington in 2011.

Now open in Williamson Avenue, YOYO has rolled into Ponsonby and Aucklanders can discover quality, functional New Zealand design that can be customised to individualise PN your space. F YOYO, 24a Williamson Avenue, T: 09 376 4884, www.yoyo.co.nz

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HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS

MR BIGGLESWORTHY’S ‘THE DEBONNAIRES’ Mr Bigglesworthy proudly presents ‘The Debonnaires’ - a modern design interiors collection of classic styles, crafted to set a scene of British charm and sophistication.

The collection presents an expertly curated selection of impeccably made furniture, objects and art, featuring iconic pieces from many of the 20th century’s pivotal designers and makers.

Represented in the collection are pieces by: Paul McCobb, Jens Risom, Mogens Kold, Illum Wikkelso, Grete Jalk, Bernhard Pedersen & Son, Ole Wanscher, DUX, G-Plan, Ib Kofod Larsen, Archie Shine, Richard Hornby, AH McIntosh, Nathan, White and Newton, Toothill and Robin Day. Whether it be for the home or executive office, Mr. Bigglesworthy says it’s time to indulge in a little dignified luxury.

Owned and operated by Dan and Emma Eagle - specialists of the modernist era and style and purveyors of beautifully restored vintage furniture and homewares - Mr. Bigglesworthy offers fine examples from leading New Zealand and international designers of the modern epoch. F PN

SPREADING THE SWEETNESS This Easter, Ray White Ponsonby & Grey Lynn worked hard to bring the children and families at Ronald McDonald House ‘A Little Ray of Sweetness’.

For the two weeks leading up to Easter, the Ray White team of the Damerell Group and local Westmere Primary School managed to gather six overflowing boxes full of chocolate eggs to help make the Easter weekend a little sweeter for the families and children that spent this Easter away from home.

A special thank you goes out to the children and families of Westmere Primary School for their spectacular Easter egg gathering efforts. Gower Buchanan, general manager for the team said, “It was a joy to be able to help these kids and their families enjoy their Easter a little more. Seeing the smiles on their faces made it all worthwhile for the whole team.”

With the success of this year’s ‘Little Ray of Sweetness’ Easter egg drive, the team hope PN to repeat it next year and continue to spread the sweetness. F

MR. BIGGLESWORTHY, 15 Williamson Ave, T: 021 672 446 www.mrbigglesworthy.co.nz

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ARTS + CULTURE

THE ORIGINAL ART SALE PRESENTED BY AUT Masterpieces that capture the heart and eye, but don’t max out the credit card are the success behind Auckland’s largest art market at Vodafone Events Centre, Manukau.

The Original Art Sale presented by AUT, features over 1200 artworks by more than 350 New Zealand artists. During the three-day event 3000 visitors swarm the annual sale, which displays a diverse collection from established to emerging artists.

The Original Art Sale opens with a charity gala night on Thursday 14 May, with proceeds from ticket sales donated to Kidz First Children’s Hospital.

The doors are open to the public from 15 to 17 May.

The supermarket concept has a fast turnover and artworks are constantly replaced when something sells. Prices range from $100 to $5000 and there are plenty of choices.

The secondary school art competition will include 40 finalists exhibiting on an exclusive wall for students. Winners will be announced at the gala night and will receive cash prizes sponsored by AUT.

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Tickets for the gala charity night cost $49 per person and tickets for other days - adults $15, children, students and seniors with ID $10, and children under 5 free). F PN Purchase online at Ticket Direct. Full details are at theoriginalartsale.co.nz

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KIDS ART FESTIVAL - CELEBRATING COMMUNITY THROUGH ART Auckland’s biggest arts event for kids returns to Corban Estate Arts Centre on Saturday 16 May. The Kids Arts Festival is a free event and is always one of the highlights of the year at CEAC. There will be hands-on workshops for 5 to 14 year olds, performances by children’s groups, and an exhibition of artworks by schools from throughout West Auckland.

Keeping with the theme of this year’s festival, ‘Me and My Community’ children will also have the chance to help make collaborative artworks that will be gifted to neighbouring community organisations such as the West Auckland Hospice.

Local children’s groups will take centre stage for the day, with an exciting range of cultural, musical and dance performances lined up. The hands-on workshops are always a hit at CEAC, offering children the chance to really explore their creativity and learn some great skills.

Whether they’re making artworks to take home to loved ones, or taking part in those collaborative community projects, children will have plenty of chances to paint, print, play with clay, and create 3D constructions.

There will even be a jewellery workshop, where families can visit the CEAC gallery and take inspiration from the work of six of New Zealand’s most exciting contemporary jewellers.

Kids Art Festival celebrates children, families and the community we live in, with art helping bring us together on what promises to be an incredible day.

From 1 May a full schedule will be available at www.ceac.org.nz. F PN

ARTS + CULTURE SHOWING AT WHITESPACE Rebecca Harris, 19 May - 6 June Rebecca Harris’s paintings are concerned with the timelessness of the human condition. Like a game or puzzle, Harris constructs a language of tangled riddles for the viewer to decode.

She has a unique symbolic vocabulary, “a peculiar surreal combination that is all her own”.

Rebecca Harris graduated with a Master of Fine Art with distinction in painting from Canterbury University, she has exhibited throughout New Zealand and Australia and has been a finalist in a number of awards including the Portage Ceramic Awards 2002 and 2004 and CoCA’s Anthony Harper Award 2009. Harris’ works are included in public and private collections both nationally and internationally. She has two works in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Collection, Paris Embassy.

Jack Trolove, until 16 May Jack Trolove is an Auckland-based visual artist. He holds a Master of Fine Arts with distinction from Massey University, and has work held in private and public collections across New Zealand, Australia and Europe. Jack’s work currently explores the relationships between embodiment and liminal spaces such as intergenerational memory and other states of in-between-ness.

He approaches figurative work as a kind of ‘re-membering’.

These paintings are a story of physicality or of finding. Using the body’s scaffolding as a starting point to push into abstraction, to break the space between body and world, or skin and atmosphere, to undo the myth that things are separate. Jack is interested in how our bodies, like land, hold memories, how land, like skin across bones, holds onto the unfinished conversations of our ancestors, and how that shapes the images we make and how we see. This is Jack’s first exhibition at Whitespace. F PN WHITESPACE, 12 Crummer Road, T: 09 361 6331, www.whitespace.co.nz

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ARTS + CULTURE SHOWING AT COLLECT Niki Hastings McFall

During May, Collect features the work of contemporary Pacific artist Niki Hastings McFall.

Niki expresses her unique identity by combining the influences of her urban upbringing with her Samoan heritage, her beautiful ‘Ula Kowhai Lei’ is made to be worn, tiny golden kowhai seeds are interspersed with glass beads, ‘The Weedeater Lei’ presents more of a challenge to the wearer and makes a bold statement.

Niki graduated with a Bachelor of Visual Arts, majoring in jewellery, from Manukau Institute of Technology in 2000. Since graduating, Niki has achieved much acclaim. Her work is held in public and private collections nationally and internationally, including the Chartwell Trust, British Museum, GOMA, Museum of Volkekund in Germany, Tjibaou Centre in Noumea, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, The University of Auckland and Victoria University of Wellington. F PN Also available are canvas tote bags featuring Niki’s synthetic lei artwork - great gifts at $20 each.

Camille Wells

PLAYING WITH ST MATTHEW’S CHAMBER ORCHESTRA 17 May 2.30 pm

The beautiful and talented Camille Wells will introduce New Zealand audiences to composer Eric Ewazen’s poignant oboe concerto, ‘Down a River of Time’.

Camille’s former teacher (Linda Strommen) commissioned this work as a memorial tribute to her father, as Ewazen’s father had also recently died, the piece became a deeply moving and very personal meditation on life and death.

Composer Ewazen writes, “The oboe emulates the voice as it expresses intense emotional and personal feelings, orchestrating the importance of life’s dreams. Since the oboe is the ultimate expressive instrument - like the human voice - it speaks passionately.”

Camille is an American who moved to New Zealand in 2009 to join the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra, where her husband already had a job playing French horn. Based in Auckland, she loves travelling around New Zealand - tramping, kayaking, and exploring.

St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra will accompany her producing the kind of music that is magic; excellence is their only option. Highly recommended - all seven of their most recent concerts played to full houses. Make sure you get there early. TICKETS: Door sales, cash or cheque. Adults $25, Concessions $20, children under 12 free. F PN COLLECT, 12 Crummer Road, T: 09 361 6331, www.collect.net.nz

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ST MATTHEW-IN-THE-CITY CHURCH, corner Wellesley and Hobson Streets, www.smco.org.nz

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FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT

Minimalism at its best - Don McGlashan’s new album There’s a touch of country to this offering from McGlashan. Speaking with him about the new album, ‘Lucky Stars’, he explains how he wanted it to be small and fit around the way he plays guitar.

He wanted to work with Tom Rodwell, who goes by the stage name Storehouse, a minimal blues player, often working with only a guitar, stomp box and voice.

McGlashan sat down with Rodwell intending to create this minimal record stripped of all other instruments.

These early sessions offered up some songs that demanded more lushness and the project grew as the songs required it. A large amount of the album was written in one of Neil Finn’s creative rooms within Roundhead Studios but McGlashan spent some time recording at a bach on the Thames estuary.

He admits that perhaps the album began with too minimal an intent and yet this gave him a chance to hear the songs in their most skeletal form. He is still crafting the words to explain this process and what he has learnt from it. “Songs are a human scale project, someone driving along in a car should be able to conjure up a whole song with just their body,” he goes on to describe humming, tapping on the roof and steering wheel.

A song can be as simple as vocal and rhythm, and hearing his songs at their most basic allowed him to carefully choose additional instruments without cluttering a track.

“The thing about a player like Tom [Rodwell], is everything he does has got personality, he’ll play a lick and you feel like there’s an old forties movie star in the room.” This personality McGlashan talks about is littered throughout ‘Lucky Ones’ and is clearly what was in his mind when he asked Rodwell to work with him. The Trumpets Sound has a raw blues quality to it which pulls it out of the album as a standout and feels like a track that encapsulates this early stage of the record.

The personality of Rodwell is delicately mixed into Charles Kingsford Smith, a song that McGlashan very nearly released with a full drum track. Touches of electric guitar can be heard throughout the song, perfectly added to create haunting and atmospheric textures on a simple guitar and vocal track. This perfectly demonstrates the project’s intentions.

Opening with a new version of Girl, Make Your Own Mind Up, the sound of banjo is easily recognisable and not hidden in the mix for discerning ears to pick out.

After the song was written and recorded for the Seven World’s Collide project, and featured Wilco’s rhythm section and Ed O’Brien of Radiohead, McGlashan felt the need to rework this song - rather than just use the previous version. The banjo was added by David Long, who can be heard on many tracks performing an array of instruments. I’ve never been drawn to straight-up pop, but ‘Lucky Stars’ is perfectly balanced between the raw minimal sound that began the process and the larger sounds McGlashan fans will be more accustomed to.

Stars’ that will be on the next one, so it looks like we won’t have to wait another six more years.

In discussing Ponsonby, and the great vibe music has got right now in the area, he reminisces on the Gluepot days. “Blam Blam Blam held the Gluepot door record for a while. I think, in actual fact, we might have still held it when it closed. We were very proud of that at the time.”

The Muttonbirds got a chance to play there as they were getting started, but it was not long before the old pub closed its doors.

Don McGlashan is touring the new album, Lucky Stars, in June. He opens with a show at Hopetoun Alpha on Thursday 11 June. Lucky Stars is out now, available at all PN the good record stores. (FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT) F

The first single Lucky Stars is one of those songs that came about which demanded a more lush sound, with a driving rhythm, provided by Chris O’Conner’s drums and those, by now, easily recognisable guitar licks from Rodwell.

Six years is a long time between albums for McGlashan, having got distracted and occupied doing film and television scores for the likes of ‘This is Not My Life’, ‘Bliss’ and ‘Sione’s 2’. He had to make a conscious decision to make a new album, and he says, “I’ll hopefully reduce the six-year gap down to three, or two.” There’s already a track that didn’t quite make the cut for ‘Lucky

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.

TRUTH & FICTION AND 2015’S AUCKLAND FESTIVAL OF PHOTOGRAPHY Truth & Fiction is a central theme in 2015’s Auckland Festival of Photography - which features 100 events and exhibitions from 28 May to 20 June.

“We are proud the 2015 line-up cements the Auckland Festival of Photography’s position as a leading event in the Asia Pacific region that attracts leading New Zealand -based and international photographers,” says public participation director Julia Durkin.

“AFP is a highlight in the winter events calendar. It has become the region’s largest free visual arts festival and we invite audiences to engage with and enjoy what’s on offer in our 12th annual festival.”

2015’s AFP includes ten Truth & Fiction exhibitions that span documentary and digitally constructed photography, a Talking Culture symposium on Photobook Stories (30 May) and rich pickings on everything from documentary to celebrity photography. Other festival treats are the Annual Commission by Sacred Hill, featuring new work by PJ Paterson, the popular Whitecliffe Festival Tuesday (2 June) and a string of signature and community-based exhibitions across Auckland.

“PJ Paterson’s work is an exhilarating mix of contemporary aesthetic and political engagement,” says Commission Curator, Elaine Smith. Paterson’s work will be on show during 2015’s AFP before being shown at the Pingyao International Photography Festival. As part of the 5th year celebration of the Annual Commission, all previous AFP commissioned work by Tanu Gago, Jennifer Mason, James K Lowe and Roberta Thornley will be exhibited at the Pah Homestead during the Festival.

“The Auckland Festival of Photography is committed to presenting Auckland audiences with cutting-edge work produced by the best practitioners in this the most important art form of our times,” says Julia Durkin.

“Photography brings us up close and personal to moments that we value, as well as engaging us with issues we need to consider or confront.”

Details of AFP events and exhibitions, including 53 Fringe exhibitions across the region, are available in their programme: www.photographyfestival.org.nz/programme/index.cfm The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied

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First Sunday Sessions at Freida Margolis IT WAS WITH GREAT ENTHUSIASM THAT I STEPPED INTO WEST LYNN’S NEWEST (AND, arguably, first) music venue. Freida Margolis, the old West Lynn Organic Meats, for those not in the know, has begun in recent months to put on Sunday evening music.

They are limited by size, but this just adds to the intimacy of the evenings. Last month they hosted a Kingsland Folk Club night, organised by Rodney Fisher. This looks to be a monthly event, with the First Sunday Sessions beginning every month. This will offer alt country, folk and some of the more approachable indie music an intimate spot to play in the centre of our Greater Ponsonby area.

Freida’s has hosted, among others, the amazing Anthonie Tonnon, Aldous Harding and the old-time country super group the Lonesome Pine Specials. The intimacy of the bar allows the musicians to feed of the audience and create an emotional and very welcoming vibe.

There is something delightful about being in a small space, surrounded by other like -minded people listening to music. One2One Cafe captures this on Thursday nights, the Wine Cellar on K’Road most evenings, and Golden Dawn does it too, albeit louder, sweatier and with a rawness that other spaces don’t. With the exception of these, and Grand Central, Ponsonby has been limited in its number of musical venues, and especially limited for musicians of the folk music genre.

Freida’s is the perfect space. They serve delicious pizzas, and other nibbles and slightly larger-sized munches for dinner, and their cocktails are divine. The pomegranate concoction I got passed last month has resulted in a swift about turn in my regard for pomegranates. The bar staff know their wine and beer well and are quick to suggest the perfect drink to match your wallet, your food or your mood.

The First Sunday Sessions begins with Nadia Reid on Sunday 3 May, with Paul Cathro supporting. Recently signed with Spunk Records, Nadia Reid released her debut long play late last year, ‘Listen to Formation, Look for the Signs’. It has been an overwhelming success, with Nadia performing all around Auckland in recent months to support the album. Signing with the Australian-based Spunk is an exciting prospect as it opens doors in the music hot bed that is Melbourne and the rest of Australia. New Zealand acts Marlon Williams and Aldous Harding (an prevoius performer at Freida’s) have recently jumped the ditch to set up shop in Melbourne.

‘STROPPY OLD WOMEN’ BOOK LAUNCH @ GREY LYNN COMMUNITY LIBRARY Debbie Dorday and Alice Worsley, two of the 52 women in Paul Little and Wendyl Nissen’s latest book, were caught showing gossip columnist David Hartnell what they’d PN written in the book. F

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Nadia performs true acoustic folk, a touch of melancholy in each lyric. Yet the songs are performed with a heartfelt and honest delivery. Listen to Formation... was recorded only with the support of fans through crowdfunding website Pledgeme. She opened up to her supporters admitting that she was struggling to finance the studio time. An overwhelming response of support from her dedicated fans allowed her to complete what was one of the most compelling albums released in 2014. Her vocals and acoustic guitar were complemented by stunning musicians including bassist Richie Pickard, guitarist Sam Taylor and Lyttleton’s drum master Joe McCallum (who has performed and recorded with an array of alt country artists including Tami Nielson, Marlon Williams and Delaney Davidson). These musicians allowed her to open up her sound and create some electrified and heavier songs on the album.

First Sundays will continue each month, and the best place to check for these are on PN Freida’s Facebook page below. (FINN MCLENNAN-ELLIOTT) F www.facebook.com/freidamargolis

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SHOWING AT TOI ORA GALLERY Korero, Until 29 May

To acknowledge Deaf Awareness Week, Toi Ora celebrates the language of our deaf community, bringing together deaf and hearing artists who connect through New Zealand Sign Language. Korero (talk) pronounced ‘cor rear raw.’ See the website for opening hours. F PN TOI ORA GALLERY, 6 Putiki Street, T: 09 360 4171, www.toiora.org.nz

ARTS + CULTURE SHOWING AT OREXART Until 9 May

Springs and Falls, may well be McWhannell’s most significant body of work in the past two decades. Sensual, mysterious and rich in art history, this large and complex series of paintings delves deep into the artist’s personal repertoire whilst making a nod to Hieronymus Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights.

Fall of the Powder Puff, 2014-15 Oil on canvas on board, 1600 x 1200

“There’s an argument that goes on in my painting - it’s circular and involves degree. To what extent should one be literal and how far painterly - how much observed and how much imagined? Observation is in a sense easier and more satisfying in its process, at least I’ve found it so.

Rachel Coppage MA Butterflies; Debra Bathgate ‘Gong 1’

“One has more freedom to move around when the image is given, when the motivation is the compulsion to render sense experience. Yet to work from behind the eye, from the back of the brain - to conjure an image out of feeling seems somehow a more noble aspiration.

To pull a character out of thin air is especially sweet.

“So the battle rages and, along the way, one alights here in the sun and there in the shade.

Sometimes the image is as ephemeral as a dream, sometimes as palpable as clay, or so I hope!” - Richard McWhannell.

Please contact rex@orexart.co.nz for details. F PN OREXART, 15 Putiki Street, Arch Hill, T: 09 378 0588, www.orexart.co.nz

Tricia Hall ‘Perfectly Misunderstood’

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It’s The End of The World as We Know It, 2014-15, Oil on canvas 402 x 502

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ARTS + CULTURE TINY THEATRE AND UPTOWN ART SCENE GARNET STATION EXHIBITION SPACE Encryptions - New paintings by Peter Liggins - Until 17 May At the foot of the Blue Mountains in Sydney in the late 70s Peter began his journey with paint and brush in hand. After exhibiting regularly, he took a 10-year break, grounding himself in the landscapes and gardens of New Zealand. Following his South American adventure, Liggins has come back brimming. Showing the work completes the process.

Hoop - 8 May, from 7pm, $10 Four months ago Hoop was formed by Nick Edgar: electric and acoustic guitar, ukulele; Al Baxter: acoustic guitar, banjo, harmonica; Malcolm Clack bass; Rusty Knox drums. They have been rehearsing their original material so get ready for a bunch of folky, country-ish poppy tunes written by Nick and Al and the-one-with-the-soulful-voice, Molly Rowlandson (accompanied by George Edgar on guitar) as support act.

John Davies and the Bayadere - 10 May, 5pm, $15 John Davies was a member of the travelling theatrical road show Red Mole Enterprises founded by the late poet Alan Brunton. Davies, a seasoned troubadour wrote many songs with Alan and has been inspired by Beyond the OhLaLa Mountains, an anthology of Brunton’s poems. Fifteen new songs are now ready to be premiered. Joining John is vocal trio The Bayadere: Jessie Lawrence, Valda Shadbolt and Amyee Karaitiana.

Looking At Stuff In The Clouds - 13 - 16 May, 8pm, $20 Written and performed by Donna Brookbanks and Shoshana McCallum, directed by Jessica Joy Wood. This is a comedy that looks at lives, relationships and fears in modern day small-town New Zealand. Delving into, expanding, then blowing apart stereotypes, the characters examine our personal taniwha and offer a satirical inquiry into our existential nature.

Chekov Gone Wilde - 20 and 30 May, 8pm, $25/20 Presented by theatre whack, directed by Patrick Graham, Chekhov Gone Wilde is a collection of bite sized morsels culled from Anton Chekhov and Oscar Wilde’s better known plays on the themes of love and manners: The Cherry Orchard, The Three Sisters, The Bear, The Seagull, The Importance of Being Earnest and Chekhov Gone Wilde - Natalie Crane An Ideal Husband. Cast: Natalie Crane, James Crompton, Kirsty Hamilton, Kelly Gilbride, Mustaq Missouri, Mark Oughton, Jaqui Whall and Patrick Graham. “Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about.”

- Oscar Wilde F PN TINY THEATRE GARNET STATION CAFE, 85 Garnet Road, T: 09 360 3397

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Having so many galleries in a small area creates a vista of diverse viewpoints from both local and visiting artists.

Orexart, at the western point of the Uptown area, has the work of local artist Richard McWhannell in a show entitled Springs and Falls. The paintings seem to cover every part of the gallery, rioting in a darkly theatrical way: characters from art history - everything from Bosch and Brueghel through Beckmann and Ernst to Fomison and Hammond - populate sliding landscapes and involve each other in mysterious rituals. It is surely one of McWhannell’s most significant shows in his 40-odd years of painting.

Waikare on Q sits at the eastern edge of the Uptown area, at the top of Queen Street (level 3/536 Queen) and is a noho space Richard McWhannell detail dedicated to showcasing Maori artists. The current exhibition Te Tu-take is curated by brother-sister duo Mike Tupaea and Frances Pomare (Te Rarawa/Ngapuhi/Tainui ) and features work by artists and designers around the North Island, some of whom, like Gisborne-based Walter Dewes, exhibited here last year. Elam graduate Mike Tupaea spoke of the exhibition as a formative encounter between the artists and their work. Assertive graphic images mix traditional motif with urban art styles, and strong colours on slick surfaces are tempered by signs of decay and complexity.

We look forward to the growing vitality of the Uptown Art Scene as a beacon of light and warmth as we head into winter. What could chase away an existential cold better than an evening of art followed by food somewhere along the Strip?

PN (WILL PAYNT, STUDIO ART SUPPLIES) F

Walter Dewes

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ARTS + CULTURE WOMEN’S CENTRE 40 AND FABULOUS! The Auckland Women’s Centre is hosting events this year to celebrate its 40th anniversary, including a Charity Art Auction at The Works Hair Salon in Grey Lynn on the 16th of May. “We have come a long way since our doors first opened on Ponsonby Road in 1975,” says Centre Manager, Leonie Morris. “And 40 years later we are continuing to make real change in the lives of women every day as well as advocating on women’s issues.”

Soala Wilson, Auction Coordinator is proud to be supporting the ongoing work of the Auckland Women’s Centre; “AWC is a vital resource for women and their families and proceeds from the art auction will be used where it is most needed, providing a range of free or affordable quality services and participatory projects for women.”

“We are excited to see so many local artists contributing to the event and the exhibition space is set to highlight the creative and innovative artwork on the Auckland market,” she says. “These are stunning and unique original pieces from a diverse range of artists and mediums to reflect our vibrant community.”

The auction will include a variety of celebrated artists such as Fatu Feu’u, Belinda Wilson, Evan Woodruffe, Catherine Manchester and 12 other collaborating artists. Tony Piggott has generously donated his art collection.

Others are kindly contributing to the auction by donating goods and services, including Winner of Female Comedian of the Decade at the 2010 NZ Comedy Guild Awards, Michele A'Court; the MC for the evening. The art auction will contribute to a resource for Auckland women built up over the last 40 years, enabling the centre to continue to support and advocate for the empowerment and wellbeing for women and girls.

Auction Coordinator, Soala Wilson soala.wilson@gmail.com

A TABLE WITH A DIFFERENCE Barrel side table (43cm dia x 46cm high) $839

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HOROSCOPES: MISS PEARL NECLIS

What your stars hold for May ♉ Taurus (the Bull): 21 April - 21 May

♏

Please avoid the obvious this month by taking any shortcuts, you know you usually end up having to backtrack when you do - it’s not worth it. You will find that extra shot of energy just when you need it.

Scorpio (the Scorpion): 24 October - 22 November You feel like you have done all you can as your plans unfold before you, but there’s a nagging feeling of uncertainty that’s lurking on the fringes of your imagination. Don’t ignore it instead share with your nearest and dearest any doubts you have.

♊

♐ Sagittarius (the Archer): 23 November - 22 December

♋

♑ Capricorn (the Goat): 23 December - 20 January

♌

♒ Aquarius (the Water Carrier): 21 January - 19 February

♍ Virgo (the Virgin): 22 August - 23 September

♓ Pisces (the Fish): 20 February - 20 March

Gemini (the Twins): 22 May - 21 June Romantic feelings could be at their peak this month - as long as you don’t neglect your day job. You could make it easier if you’re the one open to something new you might get exactly what you’ve wanted.

Cancer (the Crab): 22 June - 22 July Try and make time to reassess what you want over the next month instead of obsessing about what you don’t have. Just remain practical in the process and you will get what you’re after.

Leo (the Lion): 23 July - 21 August You seem to be curious about a lot of things this month but curiosity can get you into a lot of trouble. You might have bitten off more than you can manage but your engaging personality will always mean you have allies.

Putting your skills to good use is always a good idea when they are wanted, but forcing yourself on anyone is generally not a good idea.

♎ Libra (the Scales): 24 September - 23 October

Trying to avoid any potential fallouts this month will make you a lot happier. Just lay low and keep your head down if you can, throwing your weight around will only make things worse.

Start connecting with the natural world whenever you can, especially as you have been a bit under the weather lately. Try not to exert too much energy contemplating the future just get outside and you’ll soon be back on form.

You should try and keep some of your antics to yourself as sharing everything you do doesn’t sit well with some people. That doesn’t mean you should keep quiet, just don’t blow any opportunities or promotions by being too loud.

Keeping a stiff upper lip if you can will be needed this month especially as you seem to be going through a hard time personally. Just try and keep up appearances for a little longer, even if it is uncomfortable.

You seem to be a lot more motivated this month as some of the problems you’ve have had lately seem to have just disappeared. The fact that you can show forgiveness after what you’ve been through will reflect well on you.

♈ Aries (the Ram): 21 March - 20 April

Life often seems so complicated when things are not made clear to you. You should be able to act free and as impetuously as you like so long as no one gets hurt. Your future happiness depends on it.

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 Taylor Boutique, 1 Teed Street

GREY LYNN Barfoot & Thompson, 533 Great North Road Barkley Manor, 400 - 402 Great North Road Grey Lynn Community Centre, 520 Richmond Road Grey Lynn Community Library, 474 Great North Road Raw Essentials, 401B Richmond Road Ripe, 172 Richmond Road Tapac, 100 Motions Road Vetcare, 408 Great North Road

HERNE BAY Herne Bay Post & Stationers, 240 Jervois Road Five Loaves, 206 Jervois Road Icing on the Cake, 188 Jervois Road Momentum, 182 Jervois Road

KINGSLAND Atomic, 420c New North Road

NORTH SHORE Rug Direct, Wairau Park Dawson’s Furniture, Mairangi Bay

PARNELL

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

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

MT EDEN Citta Outlet Store, Corner Enfield & Normanby Road Sabato, 57 Normanby Road Studio Italia, 25 Nugent Street

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