The Hobson July-Aug 2015 issuu by The Hobson

july/august 2015

snow cool â&#x20AC;˘ style picks â&#x20AC;˘ seaplanes local news, views & informed opinions

Important paIntIngs and Contemporary art 6 AUGUST 2015

Entries invited until July 10th Contact Ben Plumbly, Director â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Art 09 354 4646, 021 222 8183 ben@artandobject.co.nz

Colin McCahon Cross (detail) synthetic polymer paint on paper, 1971 780 x 592mm $80 000 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; $120 000

art+objeCt www.artandobject.co.nz

The July/August Issue 4

the editor’s letter

the columnists

the village A glistening fundraiser, a wish for the flying boats to return to TEAL Park, dogs, booze bans — all the things you need to know, plus updates from our local board chairs

the reps Columns from local MPs David Seymour and Paul Goldsmith

the plan Hamish Firth’s updates on urban movements

the investment Warren Couillault has some wishful thinking around a privatised, competitive Auckland Council

the suburbanist It’s worth keeping an eye on water issues, writes Tommy Honey

the district diary What’s happening around here for the months of July and August

the pretty Melissa Williams-King’s edit of cold weather beauty pick-me-ups

the piste Heading south? Belinda Masfen tells you what’s not cool in the snow (with a helpful packing list too)

the magpie New this month: stylist Justine Williams helps you feather your nest (and your wardrobe)

the wellbeing Beware the stresses of chemical overload, warns naturopath and trainer Lee Parore

the second act She’s leaving home: a rite of passage lived-through and reviewed by Sandy Burgham

WIN

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the teacher Judi Paape on understanding education benchmarks at mid-year report and parent-teacher interview time

the arts Leigh Melville reviews a NZ experience at the Venice Biennale

the cinema Movies for July and August, chosen by Caitlin McKenna

the sound Andrew Dickens goes on a jag for Don McGlashan

the bookmark Sailing, bobsledding, football — there’s a sports book for a multitude of interests this winter, says Gail Woodward

the anzacs Remuera Heritage salutes the incredible service, and sacrifice, of the Birnie brothers

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issue 20, july/august 2015 Editor & Publisher Kirsty Cameron editor@thehobson.co.nz Art Direction & Production Stephen Penny design@thehobson.co.nz Advertising Inquiries business@thehobson.co.nz Writers Kirsty Cameron, Zac Fleming, Melissa Williams-King Proofreader Fiona Wilson Columnists & Contributors This Issue Sandy Burgham (The Second Act), Shale Chambers, Sue Cooper & Jenny Haggitt (The Anzacs), Warren Couillault (The Investment), Andrew Dickens (The Sound), Hamish Firth (The Plan), Paul Goldsmith (The Reps), Tommy Honey (The Suburbanist), Caitlin McKenna (The Cinema), Judi Paape (The Teacher), Lee Parore (The Wellbeing), David Seymour (The Reps), Desley Simpson, Justine Williams (The Magpie), Melissa Williams-King (The Pretty), Gail Woodward (The Bookmark)

elcome to our 20th issue! It feels like a milestone. Boldly leaping in to community publishing without a safety net ... madness or visioncrossed-with-positivity? We’re sure it’s the latter. There’s so many stories in this part of town, stories we felt were going unreported, people unrecognised. We live here, we wanted to know more about what’s going on. We’ve been heartened by the response to the magazine both from you, our readers, and from the advertisers who talk to you, through us. Without them, we wouldn’t exist, so please support them. This July, we are also proud sponsors once again for the “best window” competition amongst stores participating in Remuera’s month-long French festival. THE HOBSON provides advertising space to the winner and runner-up — it’s always fun being part of the judging team, and I’m looking foward to seeing what flights of French fantasy the retailers come up with this year. In something new, this is the first time we’ve had relatives write for us in the same issue. Our slightly-tongue-in-chic ski-style story (The Piste) was written by Parnell resident Belinda Masfen, who’s a very keen, and experienced, skier. She’s also the daughter of our regular education writer, Judi Paape (The Teacher). It’s wonderful having them both in our pages. Enjoy this double issue — we are now on a hiatus until the September issue, which distributes the weekend of August 22. We plan on using the time between now and our September deadlines to get all sorts of magazine housekeeping done — if you’d like to get in touch with us about stories, ideas, projects you think we should be aware of, please do. I can be contacted on editor@thehobson.co.nz, or on 0275 326 424. We value your feedback.

Kirsty Cameron editor@thehobson.co.nz

Photographers Jessica Gernat, Pippi Nola, Stephen Penny Cover Snow Cool, photography: Zoom Team/ Shutterstock. See story, page 38 The Hobson is published 10 times a year by The Hobson Limited, PO Box 37490 Parnell, Auckland 1151. www.thehobson.co.nz F: TheHobsonMagazine T: @thehobson Ideas, suggestions, advertising inquiries welcome. editor@thehobson.co.nz Or via Facebook: www.facebook.com/ TheHobsonMagazine

The content of The Hobson is copyright. Our words, our pictures. Don’t steal, and don’t borrow without checking with us first. We aim for accuracy but cannot be held liable for any inaccuracies that do occur. The views of our contributors are their own and not necessarily those of The Hobson. We don’t favour unsolicited contributions but do welcome you getting in touch via editor@thehobson.co.nz to discuss ideas.

We get around: that’s Waitematā Local Board member and Parnell resident Christopher Dempsey with our March issue on the top of San Cristóbal hill in Santiago, Chile. A keen cyclist, Christopher packed THE HOBSON in his pannier when he did a cycle trip around Chile in autumn. Thank you Christopher, and if you’ve read us somewhere interesting, please share! We may start a prize for this ...

Congratulations to the winners of our great May issue competition. Winning the major prize of a BMW to drive for a weekend (courtesy of Jerry Clayton BMW) and a twonight stay at the Black Swan Lakeside Hotel in Rotorua (courtesy of the Black Swan) was Elaynor Wong. The photo package from Jo Head Photography, worth $590, was won by Craig Miller, and a pair of shoes designed by BMW brand ambassador Kathryn Wilson was won by Abbey Watts. Congratulations to all, enjoy your prizes! The Hobson is Remuera and Parnell’s community magazine. We deliver into letterboxes in these neighbourhoods, and copies are also at local libraries, cafes, and at businesses including Vicky Ave and White Heron dairies, and Paper Plus Parnell. For more about us, visit www.thehobson.co.nz or TheHobsonMagazine on Facebook. Distribution by

This publication uses vegetable based inks and environmentally responsible papers.

The Columnists Left to right from top row:

Sandy Burgham (The Second Act) is a brand strategist and an executive coach with a special interest in midlife change and transformational behaviours. She runs a central Auckland practice. www.sandyburgham.com Remuera resident Warren Couillault (The Investment) is CEO of Richmond Investment Management, a private investment advisory partnership. He is a shareholder in and director of Generate Investment Management Ltd; manager of a registered Kiwisaver scheme and an adviser to S.AG Private. www.richmond.co.nz Andrew Dickens (The Sound) is the host of Andrew Dickens’ Sunday Cafe on Sunday morning, from 9am, on Newstalk ZB. He is also the music reviewer on Jack Tame’s Saturday morning show on Newstalk ZB. He grew up in Remuera. Hamish Firth (The Plan) lives and works in Parnell and is principal of the Mt Hobson Group, a specialist urban planning consultancy. mthobsonproperties.co.nz Urban design critic Tommy Honey (The Suburbanist) is a former architect, Remuera resident and Dean of College at Parnell’s Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design. Caitlin McKenna (The Cinema) of Remuera is passionate about the cinema — she majored in film, sociology and marketing, graduating recently with a conjoint BCom/BA. Leigh Melville (The Arts) is director, art, at Auckland’s ART + OBJECT auction house. She lives in Parnell and is chair of the Patrons of the Venice Biennale. Judi Paape (The Teacher) is a highly-experienced teacher and junior school principal. A Parnell resident, she writes on alternate months about children and education. (Dr Amrit Kaur’s The Psyche column appears on the other months). Lee Parore (The Wellbeing) is an expert in executive health. A qualified naturopath and a personal trainer to elite athletes and executives, his wellness clinic is in Newmarket. www.leeparorehealthlab.com Justine Williams (The Magpie) is an interiors stylist, writer and fashion editor. The Remuera resident was until recently the editor of Simply You and Simply You Living. One of New Zealand’s leading lifestyle and beauty editors, Remuera’s Melissa Williams-King (The Pretty) is a former editor of Fashion Quarterly. Gail Woodward (The Bookmark) of Meadowbank is the senior book buyer for Paper Plus Newmarket. She belongs to, and advises on selections for, a number of book clubs.

the hobson 6

Dr Paul JM Salmon BhB MBChB FRACP FACMS AFFILIATED SOUTHERN CROSS PROVIDER

the village

The Max Gimblett quatrefoils cloaking St David’s Presbyterian Church. “It’s a generous gift that signals a new chapter in the life of St David’s,” says project organiser Paul Baragwanath of the privately-funded installation. Photo: Jessica Gernat the hobson 8

Town & Around A PUBLIC ACT OF REMEMBRANCE The stunning public artwork of a glittering cloak of “Pacific poppies” enveloping St David’s Presbyterian church in Khyber Pass is due to be dismantled later this month, having done its work as part of Anzac commemorations, and to spark up a fundraising campaign for the salvation of the “soldier’s church”. With a foundation stone laid on April 25, 1927, St David’s served the community until last year, when the doors were shut due to a dwindling congregation, and a need for strengthening to bring the Oamaru stone and Kamo brick building to modern earthquake-resistant standards. The closure — and mooted plans by the Presbyterian Church to demolish — saw the formation of the Friends of St David’s, a group dedicated to finding a viable future for St David’s. One of the Friends, and driver of the installation of the Max Gimblett quatrefoils, is Orākei arts consultant Paul Baragwanath. “I’ve been so frustrated that we have lost so much of our built heritage,” Baragwanath explains. “Frustrated, and saddened, that we do not protect our heritage. So I thought, if I don’t do something about this, I’ll never be able to complain ever again! “St David’s was built as a memorial church to the soldiers and nurses who served. And here we were, in 2015, in the centennial year of the war that it was built to commemorate, and the doors were closed and it was looking at demolition. “I thought, how could it participate in this national remembrance time? The other key thing was to create something that was positive, had dignity, and that would be a gift to Auckland and hopefully, to the whole of New Zealand.” When Baragwanath was given one of the ceramic poppies from the Tower of London World War I commemoration, it started a thought process that led him to call renowned artist Max Gimblett, ONZM, at his New York home. “Max is a Friend of St David’s — he’d grown up in Grafton, went to Grammar and King’s, and he’d said to me, ‘Paul, if there’s anything I can do to support the preservation of St David’s, let me know’.” The result was a gift from Gimblett of seven designs — produced using his Sumi ink technique — which were then hand-screen printed, lacquered and baked onto 6,800 NZ-made laser-cut solid brass quatrefoils. The quatrefoil is the central image of Gimblett’s work. A recurring motif in architecture, it also references “an early Christian cross, a lotus, the Pacific poppy”, says Baragwanath. However good the idea, brass does not grow on trees, so Baragwanath hit the phones, calling in money and favours from private donors to purchase the raw materials and cover the cost of the installation, called The Art of Remembrance, and then keeping it in situ for three months from Anzac Day. “A huge amount of love has gone into every artwork. It would not have been achievable without a massive amount of voluntary input.” The ad agency Consortium got to work creating the website (www.rememberthem.nz) and supporting videos, Grammar opened up its art department for the production of the quatrefoils. Aurecon engineers, Warren and Mahoney, and others pitched in with expertise. Over the road, the Anglican Church of the Holy Sepulchre threw open the doors so the assembly team had a workspace. Auckland Council turned around the necessary consent in a day. In six short weeks, St David’s was draped in its “cloak

the village “We wanted it to be about the spirit, to be transcendent. We didn’t want it to be about blood, about death. It needs to be to “remember them,” but also be about new life and hope as well. “People are buying them for all sorts of different reasons. They’re just a very beautiful object. And when else are you going to have the opportunity to have an artwork by one of our greatest artists? Max Gimblett is represented in some of the greatest collections in the world by the quatrefoil artwork. We’re enabling people to participate in a story of our time.” The quatrefoils will remain in place until mid-July, weatherbombs permitting. — Kirsty Cameron p To purchase a Max Gimblett quatrefoil (or several) and aid the future of St David’s, visit www.rememberthem.nz. The quatrefoils, which measure 25 x 25cm (an outstretched soldier’s hand) are $100 each. THE RETURN OF THE FLYING BOATS?

Arts consultant and Friends of St David’s Trust spokesman Paul Baragwanath outside the church. Designed by Auckland architect Daniel B. Patterson, St David’s also has a chancel by Horace Massey. It can seat up to 600 people and its interior could lend itself to future use as an arts venue, say supporters. Photo: Pippi Nola

of remembrance” by the eve of Anzac Day, the occasion marked with a ceremony attended by Defence Force representatives. “In my view, this is one of the most significant public artworks that there is in the history of our country,” says Baragwanath. “Maybe that’s a grand claim, but this is an important work, and it’s been completely privately funded. It’s a free gift to Auckland.” And beyond too. Orders for the quatrefoils are coming in from Invercargill north. Baragwanath believed the work needed to be both uplifting and affordable, to enable anyone with “some disposable income” to participate. To that end, the quatrefoils are for sale at $100 each.

Once New Zealand’s civil air link with the wider world, an ambitious plan by the son of one of Air New Zealand’s founding fathers would see two historic seaplanes brought back to their original waterfront home of TEAL Park, at Mechanics Bay on Tamaki Drive. Remuera resident David Roberts is the son of the late Sir Geoffrey Roberts. Sir Geoffrey served with Britain’s Royal Air Force before WWII, and with New Zealand’s Royal Air Force in the Pacific during the war. In 1946, he became the general manager of Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL), which in 1965 was renamed to Air New Zealand. The company this year celebrated its 75th anniversary. Pivotal in promoting the case for an entirely NZ-owned airline, Sir Geoffrey chaired the airline for 10 years. Now his son, David, a retired farmer, has started a campaign for two decommissioned flying boats — a Short Brothers Solent, the RMA Aranui, and a Sunderland — housed at MOTAT to be moved back to TEAL Park. Both planes regularly made the trip across the Tasman from Mechanics Bay to land in Rose Bay, Sydney, and to Tahiti and Suva. “I’ve lived with the history of these planes,” says Roberts. “I know what a significant contribution [Air NZ] has made to our

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economy. I think the sea planes are far more suited at TEAL Park to be a demonstration for what the waterfront once was.” That waterfront was a busy seaplane port that carried hundreds of people between Auckland and Sydney each week, enabling the growth of TEAL into the national carrier. But Roberts’ enthusiasm may not be enough to make his vision a reality. MOTAT, which currently houses the two planes, says it would not support the proposal. “The suggested location would expose the planes to seawater, wind and other environmental risks,” says MOTAT CEO Michael Frawley. “Relocation of these highly significant collection items to near the harbour would result in their rapid deterioration. The proposal fails to take into account the significant cost of restoring and maintaining the planes in such an environment.” Waterfront Auckland, which owns the land at TEAL Park, refused to comment on whether they would support the proposal, as did Air New Zealand. But to house the planes on the waterfront, Roberts says there could be hangar structure, allowing them to still be both protected and displayed, but at their original home. He believes the planes are not in the best place or condition at MOTAT, and that the city

is failing to acknowledge TEAL’s contribution to New Zealand — “a heritage uniquely Auckland’s that has national significance too”. TEAL Park is the perfect place as it “embraces the seaplane fairway into Auckland,” Roberts says. “I went on the last seaplane ride across the Tasman when I was 16-years-old. I’m the logical person to take this up and I’m very happy to do it.” — Zac Fleming. Flying boat image courtesy David Roberts. p THE END OF AN ERA FOR KING’S HANNA BLOCK King’s School has revealed plans to construct a new $30 million building to replace the red-brick Hanna Block that sits centrally in its grounds. The move was made necessary, the school says, when inspection of the building by engineers turned up spalled concrete and steel corrosion. Estimates put the costs of repairs at $10 million, says King’s headmaster, Tony Sissons. The corrosion is considered due to the practice of the Depression — the Hanna Block was constructed in 1937 — of using sand from local beaches as part of the cement. Salt deposits leaching from the sand has resulted in the corrosion. Faced with the bill to repair the

the village

building, the school’s trust board voted to replace it with one suited for modern education requirements. Designed by architect Daniel B Patterson — who also designed the threatened St David’s Church in Khyber Pass — the Hanna Block was originally built as a boarding facility and named for the then-chair of the school’s board. The new Centennial Building is expected to be complete by mid-2017, in time for the school’s centenary celebrations in 2022. Designed by Warren and Mahoney, the 500m2 space will host 19 classrooms that will flow out into light and airy flexible teaching spaces (as illustrated, above) to allow students to break out of their classroom and work individually and collaboratively. It will incorporate elements from the Hanna Block, including the clock. “Naturally this was a very difficult decision for the board to make, as the Hanna Block has been part of our school for many years,” says Sissons. “The board went through a very robust process and consultation with our community, Council and heritage advisers before making this decision.” The removal of the Hanna Block will take place over the summer holidays. PARK LIFE: DOGS, USE, BOOZE .... Dog owners, sports clubs and other local park users are urged to have their say about any changes to off-leash dog exercise areas at Remuera’s Bloodworth Park and Shore Rd Reserve. The Orākei Local Board (OLB) is revisiting dog rules after requests by the community. Other reserves and beaches in the area had the rules clarified last summer. “We want to make sure that we strike the right balance in providing for the needs of dogs, their owners, non-dog owners and wildlife,” says a spokesperson for the board. Currently, dogs are allowed off-leash before 8am and after 7pm in summer, and before 8am and after 5pm in winter, but only on marked sports fields — the cricket area at Bloodworth Park and the rugby fields on Shore Rd. One of the parties lobbying for a change to rules is Parnell Club Cricket secretary, Bryan Haggitt. Haggitt says there is a “small minority” of dog owners who allow their dogs to “tear up” and defecate on the club’s cricket pitches. He wants to see dogs made to stay off sports fields and instead keep to the reserve’s peripheral areas, where they are currently not

permitted off-leash. “There’s a ton of room for everybody down here,” Haggitt says. “If we want good cricketers to come, we need good conditions. This is the only dedicated [cricket] field in the area, let’s keep it a sports field.” Remuera resident and regular dog walker, Nicola Kelland, member of the Shore Road Dog Users Group, says banning all dogs from being exercised on the sports fields is not the answer. “The regular walkers are very mindful of it being a sports field,” she says, adding that Bloodworth reserve is “hardly used other than for cricket”. “As ratepayers we feel we should be able to use it. I can’t see why they can’t fence off [the cricket pitches] when they’re not using them.” Her submission will include this suggestion. Submissions will be open until July 13 at shapeauckland.co.nz. Parks where new rules are being considered include Shore Rd Reserve, Thomas Bloodworth Park, Wilson’s Beach, Ladies Bay, Churchill Park, Gentleman’s Bay, the foreshore between Glendowie Boating Club and Vista Cres, and the East and West Orākei Basin reserves. The Orākei ward’s newest public green space, St John’s Colin Maiden Park, is set down for a multi-million dollar upgrade in the near future, with three master plans now open for consultation. The 20ha sports mecca was bought by Auckland Council last year from the University of Auckland for $60 million, as part of the University’s strategy to divest sites at Tamaki and Epsom in favour of its city, Grafton, and new Newmarket campuses. Colin Maiden Park currently caters to rugby, football, Aussie rules, cricket, netball, basketball and tennis. New plans could see that expand to include hockey, gymnastics, swimming, judo, bowls and potentially a BMX track. Buildings on the park, including radiology and physiotherapy clinics, a childcare centre and accommodation, are all guaranteed to stay. However the University’s nutrition laboratory, recreation centre and maintenance depot could be removed, depending on what outcome is successful. “It’s the most exciting thing that’s happening in our ward at the moment,” says Orākei Local Board head of parks, sports and recreation, Kit Parkinson. “If we do something amazing with it now, in 20, 30, 50 years time it’s going to be a jewel. It’s going to be wonderful. “Sometimes you can do too much planning, but from this point of view, this needs to be a cohesive partnership between all the sports. It’s them all working together to achieve something great for the future.” Public submissions on the future uses of Colin Maiden Park are open until July 13 at shapeauckland.co.nz. And finally on parks, submissions are now being accepted in the largest-ever review of Auckland’s liquor bans in public places, with residents and police being asked by Auckland Council to prove a “high level of alcohol-related crime or disorder” if they want existing bans on drinking in public parks to stay. The extensive review of Auckland’s more than 1700 alcoholrelated bans in different locations comes following legislative changes to the Local Government Act. Documented evidence “attributed to alcohol and specific to an existing alcohol ban area” must now be supplied to retain a ban. Council says evidence can include, but is not limited to, “litter, broken bottles, general disorder, excessive noise, or intimidation that occurs on a regular basis”. The key words being regular

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basis — THE HOBSON understands that in order for a ban to be approved, disruption would need to happen on a near-weekly basis. The Auckland Police have worked closely with Council, THE HOBSON was advised, tabling all evidence it has on alcoholrelated criminal behavior in ban areas. “We’ve delivered on the high-end criminal side and antisocial behaviour, but there’s a lot of things that we don’t know about,” says Senior Sergeant Ross Barnaby. “That’s the powerful stuff the community will bring.” For many residents, the lack of alcohol-related crime in their locus is precisely because of the liquor bans now in place. “The hard thing is, sometimes there’s no problem because there’s been a ban to prevent a problem,” says Orākei Local Board chair Desley Simpson. But Barnaby said while liquor bans “have assisted to reduce crime… they’re not the complete answer”. “The complete answer is getting people to drink sensibly. You put up a couple of signs in a park and there’s never anyone drinking in there. That park would lose that liquor ban because there’s been no incidents, but there’s probably been no incidents because of the prevention aspect that [the ban] brings. The Council knows this, and are trying to grapple with it. “But whether there’s a liquor ban or not, if there’s a problem area and there’s criminality, we’re going to go there and police anyway.” The Alcohol Reform section of the Local Government Act 2012 states that before making a new ban, Council must be satisfied there is evidence the area has experienced a “high level of crime or disorder” that “can be shown to have been caused or made worse by alcohol consumption in the area”. To continue a ban, Council must instead be satisfied the level of alcohol-related crime or disorder experienced before a ban is likely to return if the ban does not continue. Submissions on the changes are open until July 17. Visit www.shapeauckland.co.nz — Zac Fleming p CURBING THE PARKERS Parking permits could be required in parts of Parnell by this time next year, in an attempt to deter all-day commuter parking and free up space for residents, many of who live in streets with little, if any, off-street parking attached to some of the city’s earliest residences. Auckland Transport has announced the possibility of new residential parking zones in its new parking strategy, and says permits, if introduced, would be similar to those now in use in St Marys Bay. There, parking is capped on many streets to two hours, unless a residential permit is displayed. Permits would be linked to car registrations, which AT says “reduces abuse of the system and makes it easier to enforce”, and would likely cost around $70 per year. Visitor permits would also be available for a similar fee, with a capped number of one-day visitor permits given free. AT says it will only propose residential permits in Parnell and other areas “if requested by the community”. Parnell Inc and the Parnell Community Committee say they are working closely with AT on the topic. A survey into how many cars park on streets with high demand is due to take place at the end of the year. “From there, AT envisage it will take six to eight months to finalise the Parnell-specific strategy and then begin rolling it out,” says PCC chair Luke Niue. But, he adds that the PCC “urges caution, as the scheme opens up the full monetisation of both business and residential streets”. “The harsh experience in the St Marys Bay trial was that

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the village commuters moved to parking for free in non-permit streets within the suburb, and beyond. It also will carry added cost if you are developing a property, as the tradesmen will have to purchase temporary parking permits that in turn will be billed back to the owner.” An AT spokesperson says it will “consult with the local board and any applicable resident association before commencing public consultation” and in some instances, there may be public meetings. Affected residents will also be sent letters to advise them of the proposal and to request feedback, AT says. — Zac Fleming p LES HISTOIRES Baradene College history students have worked with a French partner school to produce a book about the disobedience and rebellion of soldiers, and the treatment of Conscientious Objectors in WWI, both in France and New Zealand. La Bataille de la Conscience/The Battle of Conscience was researched and written co-operatively by students both at Baradene and the Lycée Professionnel Jean Macé, in Chauny, France.

The Baradene team at the NZ soldier memorial in Messines, Belgium

The book has had two launches — one in France when the Baradene girls visited their Lycée friends, and again at a function at the Remuera Library in late June. “We are so very proud that the hard work of our students under the leadership of the History Department has culminated in the publication of this wonderful book,” says Baradene principal, Sandy Pasley. “As young authors, they have opened the world’s eyes to their talents, and had their own eyes opened to the significance of this period of history, and the links that were forged between France and New Zealand during the First World War.” VALE DAN CHAPPELL Parnell lost a champion of both the local community and the wider arts world with the recent death of Dan Chappell. With wife Brenda, Chappell published Arts News New Zealand from offices in Parnell Rd, and had been part of the Parnell Community Trust, including

a period as chair of the organisation. Two friends and colleagues share memories: “I had the pleasure and privilege of working with Dan within two different contexts and it was only when he told me in late April that ‘the end was in sight,’ that I realised that I had known, and respected, him for over 20 years. We first met as trustees of the Parnell Community Trust in the 1990s, and our paths kept crossing after that, especially from 2004 when I started as director of Objectspace. Dan as publisher of Art News was a generous supporter of the fledgling institution, and he and Brenda were very regular supporters of our programme. Dan joined the board of trustees in 2011, resigning just in April. The Parnell Community Trust, when we both started our involvement, was in a period of transition that became very positive for the organisation in terms of strategy and physical location. But before we got to the ‘happy ending’, we had some very challenging times, and Dan was a great guy to have on our team. He was unfazed by challenges, and always had a focused and practical response to even the most daunting scenarios. He was a great networker and if we needed to get some specialist local help, Dan invariably knew whom to contact and would then recruit that person to our cause! At Objectspace, I found Dan to be extremely good at ‘joining up the dots’ in terms of putting new information and old experience together to understand an emerging big picture. Being able to see both ‘the wood and the trees’ enabled Dan to have a view that was usually both practical and strategic. He was just a darn helpful guy. I valued Dan for his absolute reliability. Most recently Brenda rang me on April 17 to advise me that they could not attend our opening that night. With everything going on in their lives at that very time, that level of courtesy and commitment now brings tears to my eyes. Meeting and working with Dan in the context of community organisations is a marker of just how generous a person Dan was. A couple of years ago we had a chance conversation about ‘a situation’ in the visual arts community. Our views concurred, but what was most memorable for me was that it demonstrated that what, in part, was fuelling his generosity were very high ethical values. Ethical, generous, reliable, focused, practical and visionary team players — we want more of them. Thank you Dan.” — Philip Clarke, director, Objectspace. “We had our first board meeting without Dan in the last week. We raised a glass of very nice red wine in a toast to Dan, as we knew he would have appreciated that. As well as wine, Dan loved the arts, and gave his time and considerable expertise so freely and generously to organisations like the Arts Regional Trust, because he wanted to make things better. He succeeded in his mission. The arts sector in Auckland has been enriched by his life’s work. He would help anyone, readily dispensing pragmatic and realistic advice and assistance. He was a smart and savvy arts entrepreneur, following his passion and building a great business, Art News, that has nurtured, profiled and supported many an artist and arts organisation along the way. Like many people, we’re very saddened that we will no longer get to work alongside, and in the company of, Dan. We will greatly miss his excellent sense of humour, his sharp brain and breadth of knowledge, and his no-nonsense, yet kind and empathetic approach to all things. He was just a great guy to know.” — Nigel Arkell, chair, Arts Regional Trust Te Taumata Toi-a-iwi.

the hobson 14

waitemata¯ Local Board

Auckland Council’s Long-term Plan Council recently finalised its 10-year budget. Some hard decisions were made to balance the demands of Auckland’s significant growth and resolve transport problems, while at the same time wishing to keeping rates and charges affordable, and restrained. Not all agree with the resulting average base residential rates increase next year of 2.4 per cent within the Waitematā area, and the new interim targeted rate transport levy of $114 per household; an average residential rates rise of 7.7 per cent next year locally. However, it is clear the “do nothing” option in the transport area would have resulted in ever more traffic congestion. Waitematā Local Board has some clear initiatives planned for the next few years within our funded budget. We will continue to advocate for local level initiatives and will be able to move forward on some projects. Of particular interest to THE HOBSON readership might be: - Funding for the implementation of the Symonds Street Cemetery 10-year plan. This may now be able to come from a new small capex fund each board is to be allocated. - Proactively working to protect the historic links between Parnell Village and Auckland Domain. - The recently consulted Newmarket Laneways streetscape improvements project has been approved. - The Board’s commitment to environmental projects received strong support, and so we will continue to advocate for greenways and fund projects such as urban forest renewal and a low carbon future. - Library hours. Many rightly expressed concerns around proposed changes to library opening hours. Another way was found. The good news is that Parnell Library has an extra hour proposed for Saturdays, opening at 9am instead of 10am. Auckland Domain Committee The first joint committee between the governing body, Waitematā Local Board, and Independent Māori Statutory Board was recently established to oversee The Domain’s governance. This brings together the regionally

significant and local aspects of the park, budgets, and allows timely decision making. Councillor Christine Fletcher is Chair and I have taken on the role of Deputy Chair. Work has already well advanced on a draft Auckland Domain Master Plan which will help lead improvements to the park for the near, medium and long-term future. Of particular interest might be the proposed changes to car parking in The Domain. We are working with Auckland Transport to review and manage the number of commuters parking in the long-term parks and also to better use its roads for all road users. Any decision will be open for public consultation, so if you are particularly interested in the matter keep an eye out for notifications in local papers, in the park and on our Local Board Facebook page (facebook.com/ Waitemata). The Parnell Baths celebrated with a book To acknowledge last year’s centenary of Parnell’s iconic baths, Parnell Heritage, with financial assistance from Waitematā Local Board, has published a lively history — Parnell Baths: a jewel in Auckland’s crown. Contact Parnell Heritage for your copy: www. parnellheritage.org.nz. Copies are also for sale at Paper Plus Parnell, and the White Heron Dairy, Gladstone Rd. — Shale Chambers, chair, Waitematā Local Board p Celebrating the Baths: clockwise from top left: Parnell Heritage’s Mary Barry with launch MC Shale Chambers at the event at Parnell Library; baths staff celebrate the centenary in vintage style; Fleur Denning and Waitematā Local Board member Rob Thomas; the iconic pool; Baths historians, coauthors Sue Monk (left) and Dr Joanna Boileau

the hobson 15

the village

¯ Local Board Orakei

write this at the end of the Auckland Council financial year July 2014 to June 2015. A year when as a ward, Orākei ratepayers contributed $106 million into the council coffers, yet only received just under $9 million back as capital investment into our ward. Unfortunately the Orākei Local Board did not have full discretion over that $9 million, as much of it was used to fund our percentage of regional services, such as our local libraries and parks maintenance. However, despite the tight financial situation, we have achieved a number of projects by aligning renewals budgets with local priorities. Our playgrounds have seen significant improvement in the past financial year, with upgraded equipment in Roberta Reserve, Glendowie, Kupe North Reserve, Orākei, and Patteson Ave Reserve, Mission Bay. Sport has also had a boost: we have sand-carpeted fields at Shore Rd, Glover Park and Crossfield Reserve, as well as installing a new cricket wicket at Shore Rd. Glover, Madills and Crossfield parks have also had perimeter paths upgraded to create better walking opportunities for those surrounding these facilities. Working with local volunteer groups, we have planted more than 15,000 native trees and plants in our parks and reserves (that’s me helping out, above). Our successful advocacy for cleaner water entering the ocean resulted in approval for a significant stormwater and water quality project, which has almost been completed at Madills Farm. This will enhance and improve the ecology of the Waitematā Harbour. We were also proud to support the installation of the Anzac verse and poppy mural in Ellerslie, which was requested by the community and business association, providing the Ellerslie community with a focal point for remembrance. Further assistance for Anzac centenary commemorations was provided to College Rifles for community celebrations in the

Remuera, Meadowbank/St Johns area, and for a St Heliers service which attracted more than 5,000 attendees (including our board members, and councillor Cameron Brewer, below). Streetscapes were enhanced with a safety upgrade to the intersection of Upland and Benson roads, and pedestrian refuge added to the very busy northern end of Orakei Rd to assist those walking between the Orākei Basin and the Hobson Bay walkways. A new rock edging project has begun around the Orākei Basin to stabilise the basin edge and mitigate further erosion —especially from wave motion. The children’s outdoor sculptures along Hobson Bay walkway was probably our best ‘value project,’ with 11 outdoor sculptures being made and installed for $5,000. Since its inception, the board has supported and promoted the formation of five new residents’ associations. This year we assisted in the formation of the Orākei Community Association for residents of that suburb. This now means all 10 of our ward suburbs now have a respective residents’ association to help keep people connected, and advocate for projects and issues important to them. Advocacy and communication are very important to us. To this end we ensured we held five additional meetings for our community to ‘understand’ the Mayor’s draft 10-year budget, and one specifically on the City Rail Link. Whilst this is not a full list of our achievements, they represent some of the work the board does within the tight fiscal envelope provided to us. I would like to thank all those who volunteer in, and lead, our residents’ and business associations, as they are vital to our engagement. Finally to you, our residents and ratepayers, thank you for your support and feedback. — Desley Simpson, chair, Orākei Local Board p

the hobson 16

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the reps

DAVID SEYMOUR

ost of my acquaintances assume I’ve moved to Wellington, I tell myself as the phone doesn’t ring. All politics is local, though, and I’m still very much a resident of the Epsom electorate on the four days that parliament doesn’t sit. It’s up here that the concrete, to Wellington’s abstract, plays out. Many people who come to see an MP are at their wits’ end, or at least highly bemused, with some government department or other. Sometimes it’s that the law is an ass, failing to anticipate the kaleidoscope of circumstances that life throws up. Other times, those charged with administering the law are the ass, making life miserable by dereliction of roles. Here are a few such cases, with the odd detail changed to protect the innocent. They show how every wellintentioned initiative has unintended consequences to match its intended ones. Somebody once decided that unemployed New Zealanders must be offered jobs before foreigners, who might well have a job elsewhere anyway. Hard to argue against, right? The problem is that jobs only happen when entrepreneurs find capital, and put together a product that consumers want to buy. They can’t do it the other way around, starting with a person, then creating a job for them. If they could, we’d all have our dream job, but there wouldn’t be much to buy. And so each year, a local high-end wine-seller has to convince the Immigration department that there is not one suitable sommelier on Work and Income’s list of jobseekers. Of course, this ritual produces no benefit. It ties up several people for a day each year, effectively producing nothing. The net result is a loss of wealth that could have been used to create … jobs. There is a certain logic to having a national, no-fault, accident insurance scheme like ACC. There’s also a very good argument that some competition and choice would be better, but we’ll leave that debate for another day. Suffice to say that all insurance systems are prone to disputes over when a particular event is covered, so administering ACC can be a minefield. One man had his leg injury deemed ‘pre-existing’ (and so not covered by ACC) after an accident. It left him barely able to walk. ACC accepted he was running away from danger at the time. They have subsequently righted this rather obvious contradiction, but not before he had to seek private alternatives. Even in a green and pleasant land such as ours, good intentions pave the way to bad laws well administered, good laws badly administered, and sometimes the worst of all worlds. If I can ever be of help as your local MP, please don’t hesitate to be in touch via davidseymour.epsom@ parliament.govt.nz or (09) 522 7464. David Seymour is the MP for Epsom.

PAUL GOLDSMITH

ne of the most inspiring experiences I’ve had in Epsom as a member of parliament was accompanying the Prime Minister one bright morning in November 2012 to visit the InZone Te Kāinga Wananga in Owens Rd. Hearing the stories of the boys who came from far flung parts of Northland and beyond to attend Auckland Grammar School, and what it meant to them, was magic. The Prime Minister spoke about his childhood, after his father had died when he was a young boy, and how his mother had told him simply “you get out of life what you put in”. The boys understood it. A sister project, InZone Girls Te Kāinga Huarahi, opened at the start of the year beside Epsom Girls Grammar. I was recently pleased to see that the InZone Education Foundation has been awarded $10,000 by the Government to help disadvantaged youth. Inspirationally led by Terrance Wallace, InZone partners with Auckland Grammar and Epsom Girls Grammar and helps to put the right support and pastoral care in place for Maori and Pacific Island students to attend the schools, and do well. This funding has come following this year’s Youth Week, which ran in the final week of May. The theme of this year’s week was “we are the future”. Since coming into Government in 2008, the National p-arty has stood for giving our most disadvantaged the help they need to succeed in life on their own terms – not through lifelong reliance on the state. We believe it’s better to invest in people early, so that they can get the best start in life. Our plan is working well, and there are examples all over the country to prove it. Creating more education opportunities for people with disadvantages has emerged as one of the themes of this year’s Budget. Over the next four years, we are investing an extra $62.9 million to better assist children with special education needs. Around 9,000 students with the highest special education needs will be supported with access to resources such as speech-language therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, as well as funding for additional teacher time. Additionally, we’re providing funding for more in-class support for 1,500 students who have needs such as dyslexia or autism spectrum disorder. This is just a portion of our $10.8 billion investment in education in Budget 2015. From new schools and classrooms to more funding for early childhood education, we are committed to raising achievement in schools across the country. Paul Goldsmith is a list MP based in Epsom and Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs

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the plan

There’s never a dull night at Parnell Community Centre!

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July to December 2015

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n an earlier edition of THE HOBSON, I wrote about the seemingly-draconian requirements to upgrade so-called earthquake prone buildings in Auckland. Following the Christchurch earthquake of 2011, there was a Royal Commission set up to review the building code. They suggested that all older buildings of unreinforced masonry should comply with modern engineering standards. Initially, the commission recommended building owners upgrade identified substandard buildings within seven years, or demolish them. These recommendations were reviewed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. They proposed a 10-year period for their strengthening. This formed part of the bill before parliament. There has been further review, and better judgment on this matter has prevailed. There are now variable periods for compliance depending on the building’s location. The country is to be divided into three broad zones of high, medium and low risk, depending on their distance from the tectonic plates. Lower risk areas, such as Auckland, will have 35 years for owners to decide whether to upgrade or replace the buildings. Those with heritage listings can be given a further 10 years. This means that older heritage buildings will in large escape demolition, and building owners can better plan for replacement or upgrade. There will still be issues with insurance, funding and tenanting buildings that have been identified as earthquake prone, but common sense has prevailed with the policy work.

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Fourteen months ago, the 480m2 site on the corner of Ponsonby Rd and Pember Reeves St was a vacant section, used as a place to get a sneaky free carpark. The site had been vacant for more than 30 years, and was constrained by the very restrictive residential zone rules that apply to it. An investor purchased the site, and spent $140,000 and 12 months trying to get resource consent for a building that suited the location and commercial nature of Ponsonby Rd. The approval process required determination, because the Council planner, in spite of advice from a multitude of experts, recommended the proposal be declined. Thankfully the commissioners saw through this and ultimately approved the application. Fast-forward six months and Colin and Lindy Leuschke, architects based in Newmarket, purchased the site. They stripped back the design, taking cues from the heritage buildings that line Ponsonby Rd. The outcome is a fantastic addition to the Ponsonby Rd streetscape — a mixed use building with retail on the ground floor and residential above. Give it five years and it will look like the building has always been there. We need to be thankful that there are people with passion and determination who see these projects to their completion. This was not a journey for the faint-hearted. — Hamish Firth

the investment

The Corporatisation of Auckland Council

am enjoying being reunited with Paul Henry again via the wireless — his coming back to radio and TV is very welcome in our household. As well as his sledge-hammer wit, one thing I have been reminded of is his clear dislike for Auckland Council, frequently using the word “bastards” when referring to it and its mayor (how does he get away with it?). I have a similar dislike for the Council — its wastage, its seemingly default position on rate increases, and its inefficiency. Henry got me thinking: wouldn’t it be a good idea for Auckland Council to be corporatised, and listed on the stock exchange? Just like the old utility/power company demutualisation in the 1990s, corporatising the Council would see all the ratepayers in the city, ie you and me, becoming shareholders. And having shareholders and being listed would require the company — let’s call it Aucklandcorp — to have a board of directors, in turn bringing the entity a whole new level of accountability and responsibility. The board of Aucklandcorp and its executive are accountable for the performance of the company and report directly to shareholders. I reiterate, you and me. More importantly, the objective of the board of Aucklandcorp would not be to keep increasing rates because it feels like spending a lot of money, but rather to maximise shareholder value. Just think of the ramifications of a Council with this objective. Typically, good companies maintain strong balance sheets by adding value to and increasing the worth of their assets and not borrowing too much. Have you recently heard Auckland Council and $13 billion dollars of debt in the same sentence? The first thing Aucklandcorp’s newly appointed board would do — after announcing its bedrock policy of reducing household rates over time — is sell Ports of Auckland, probably to Port of Tauranga.

Aucklandcorp’s executive knows this sale, followed by it dismantling the port wharves and other infrastructure and freeing up valuable waterfront land, would greatly increase the value of its premium asset, the Auckland waterfront. It knows that diverting port cargo by rail to and from Tauranga and Penrose would improve the value of its other assets, Auckland’s motorways and roads, namely by greatly easing their congestion. Good companies, if they are run properly, don’t tend to have too many departments and divisions and certainly do not have too many overpaid staff. Did you know that at last count, the Council had on its payroll nearly 1,800 staff, councillors and representatives earning annual salaries in excess of $100,000? That’s more than Spark. Aucklandcorp would address that very quickly. Commercial forces and the board would determine the preferred approach to Auckland’s transport requirements. Rather than the mayor simply increasing rates to pay for the Central Rail Link (after failing to gain support from either central government or Chinese public-private partnership investors), Aucklandcorp would undertake a detailed analysis of the benefit to its asset base from either, or all of, building the rail link, a new harbour crossing or extending and adding motorways with a commercial, rather than political or ideological, objective. Aucklandcorp could, and would, develop housing across various parts of the city, better utilising its land-holdings and providing desperately needed accommodations. And I am sure the consenting process would be far more efficient! I could go on and on about improvements under the “Aucklandcorp” structure but I know it’s futile and will never happen. But an overall commercial approach, such as that confronting businesses and entities competing in the real world, has to be better than what we have now. — Warren Couillault

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the hobson 21

Come and see the master plan options The Orākei Local Board wants to hear your thoughts on how Colin Maiden Park Precinct should be used. Three options have been developed for the precinct master plan following initial consultation and we want to hear your views on these. Visit shapeauckland.co.nz from 15 June to 13 July to find out more and have your say.

Find out more: Contact the Orākei Local Board on 09 521 7021 or orakeilocalboard@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

A New Home … Bayleys welcomes Fleur Denning to our highly successful Remuera team. Fleur joins Bayleys after 5 years in the industry and there is not a single home that she has not been able to sell in her last 3 years of real estate. Her 100% clearance rate is testament to her belief that the business is more about the people than the property and her hard working, down to earth and friendly manner has proved a popular choice for a broad range of home owners. If you are considering selling and are looking for a new home this spring, call Fleur to see how she can help you with your next move.

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the suburbanist

Water Care

ver the last few months we’ve all had a good dousing. From Kaitaia to Bluff, records have been broken, basements inundated, insurance claims made and our screens flooded. But spare a thought for those places around the world where water is a scarce resource. No, not Africa, nor India, nor even, Alice Springs. California, the tenth largest economy in the world, is now entering its fourth summer of drought. Over a year ago, it was determined that to end the drought there they would need a foot of rain to fall (that’s 300mm for those of you born after 1970). It didn’t arrive. One solution proposed is to make the Pacific Ocean drinkable. It is not as far-fetched as it seems. With a major desalination project nearing completion in Southern California, some residents of the Golden State will finally start drinking from the Pacific. When it begins operating later this year, the US$1bn Carlsbad Desalination Project is expected to produce approximately 50 million gallons (190 million litres) of potable water per day for residents of San Diego County. Planned and approved prior to the drought, it will be the largest such facility in the Western hemisphere, providing around seven per cent of the county’s water supply. One can only wonder what they do with all that salt. In the United States, work has been done by the Grace Communications Foundation — an organisation that promotes public awareness about sustainability issues — to develop a water footprint calculator (you can try it online but is very US-centric). The calculator probes broader and deeper than past methods have, using national data and behavioural studies to average the number of gallons per day associated with your energy and fuel consumption, shopping habits, recycling habits, meal choices, and even petfood purchases, on top of normal household uses. They found that the average US household uses 2,220 gallons of water per day – that’s 8,400 million litres. Wouldn’t Watercare love that … we should be grateful their meters don’t measure our petfood intake. We fret here about how much water is used for dairying, but in California their two biggest drains on H20 are almonds and alfalfa – they’re yet to reach B in the horticulture alphabet. California produces 80 per cent of the world’s supply of almonds, and it takes one gallon (close enough to four litres) of water to produce just one nut. Almonds use more water than all of the indoor water use, and more than all of the outdoor residential landscaping in California, yet they are not the largest water-consuming crop. Alfalfa requires a lot of water, and it is primarily used for feed for livestock. Most of the alfalfa is exported, leading some critics to say that California is exporting water to China. While the media is full of California’s first world problems, we hear nary a word about the horrific drought occuring right now in São Paulo, where drastic water shortages could mean up to five days a week without running water. The mega-city’s largest reservoir, which supplies about 30 per cent of the 20 million people living in the metropolitan region, is currently at only 5.1 per cent of its capacity. Even the Carnivale is threatened — celebrations have been cancelled in some dry municipalities and the Río samba groups are altering their choreography to eliminate traditionally prominent water use. It was not so long ago that Auckland experienced severe water shortages, for which the solution was a very long straw that allows us to sup the waters of the mighty Waikato. With the recent rains we have been having, perhaps it is time to give some of it back. — Tommy Honey

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Limited licensed REAA 2008

the district diary - july

monday tuesday wednesday

Parnell Train Station public information evening Hear AT discuss the new rail station. 6.30pm, Parnell Community Centre, Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Rd (also on August 6) Book Group at Parnell Libary 10am

Parnell Trust School Holiday Programmes for kids 5 - 14. Activities, adventures, trips from bases at Parnell District School and Epsom Normal Primary. See the full schedule at parnell.org.nz

Back to school they go . . . Term 3 starts today King’s College staff professional development day

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori Māori Language Week (to July 31) Preschooler Storytime Stories and songs for 3 to 5-year-olds. Every Monday during term-time from 11 to 11.30am at Parnell Library

Book Group at Remuera Library 11am

Wriggle & Rhyme Active movement for babies to 2-yearolds, 9.30 - 10am every Tuesday in term time, Parnell Library Book Group at Remuera Library 11am

thursday

Champagne opened with the dramatic art of sabrage will feature at the French NZ Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Remuera Business Association soiree this evening, from 6.30pm at Remuera Library. Contact info@fnzcci.org.nz for details

Rhymetime Songs, stories and of course, rhymes, for the 18-month to 3-years set, every Wednesday during term-time. 11 - 11.30am, Parnell Library

Teen Book Club at Remuera Library 4 - 5.30pm 429 Remuera Rd (always fourth Thursday of the month)

Parnell Community Committee Monthly meeting, 7.30pm, Jubilee Building, Parnell Rd. All welcome

Got an entry for The District Diary? Community groups, schools, special events, birthdays and anniversaries too if we have room! Email details to hobsondiary@gmail.com

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friday

saturday sunday

It’s the last day of Term 2 for public schools (most independent schools finished last week)

Antiques Roadshow in the Library Bring along items for appraisal by Remuera Heritage’s Terry Sutcliffe and Greg Smith. From 6.30pm, Remuera Library. $5 entry charge.

Public submissions on local area alcohol bans and dog access rules close today Speak up, or hold your peace on one or both topics via www.shapeauckland. co.nz

Parnell Farmers’ Market Every Saturday from 8am, Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Rd, Parnell

Bastille Day Street Festival in Remuera, 10am - 2pm. Come and celebrate in French style with food, entertainers, fashion and the Citroen street race! Kinder House Parnell celebrates Paul Gaugin’s NZ visit with a French wine and food event, info@kinder.org.nz

La Cigale French Market Saturday and Sunday mornings, 69 St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell

Look Good Feel Better High Tea Celebrate 25 years of the cancersupport charity in NZ, 2pm at the Waipuna Hotel. $50 per person, email jb.swift@xtra.co.nz for tickets and details

Grammar 1st XV v Saint Kentigern, at Grammar, kick-off 2.30pm

31 Advertising Booking Deadline for THE HOBSON’s September issue

Remuera goes Gallic this month for the now-annual French festival. Trés bien! As well as themed events and the street fair on Saturday July 18, there’s a trip for two to New Caledonia to be won. The holiday includes airfares and seven nights accommodation, courtesy of Aircalin, Noumea’s Le Meridien hotel (right, top) the Sheraton Deva Resort and Spa (right), and House of Travel Remuera. Every time you shop in participating businesses from July 1 to 31, you can go into the draw to win. Bonne chance!

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notes

the district diary - august

monday tuesday wednesday

Preschooler Storytime at Parnell Libary Stories and songs for 3 to 5-year-olds. Every Monday, 11 - 11.30am. Parnell Library

King’s School Open Morning, from 9am. Register via admissions@kings.school.nz Book Group at Remuera Library 11am

Rhymetime Songs, stories and of course, rhymes, for the 18-month to 3-years set, every Wednesday during term-time. 11 - 11.30am, Parnell Library

Book Group at Parnell Library 10am

Grammar Third Form ParentTeacher interviews

Remuera Residents Association AGM and meeting this evening, all welcome. 7.30pm, St Paul’s Church hall, 12 St Vincent Ave, Remuera.

Languages week at King’s College

St Cuthbert’s College Staff Only Day King’s College mid-term exeat

Wriggle & Rhyme Active movement for babies to 2-yearolds, 9.30 - 10am every Tuesday, Parnell Library

Book Group at Remuera Library 11am

Parnell Community Committee Monthly meeting, 7.30pm, Jubilee Building, Parnell Rd. All welcome

thursday

King’s College campus tour 9.30am Phone 0508 46 25 46 for information

“King’s for the Cathedral” music showcase, Holy Trinity Cathedral

Teen Book Club at Remuera Library 4 - 5.30pm (always the fourth Thursday of the month)

31 Got an entry for The District Diary? Community groups, schools, special events, birthdays and anniversaries too if we have room! Email details to hobsondiary@gmail.com

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friday

saturday sunday

Saint Kentigern Girls’ School Open Day. Register at saintkentigern.com Parnell Train Station info evening AT outlines the new rail station. 6.30pm, Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Rd St Cuthbert’s College Ball

Community Grants Workshop Find out about grants available for projects and events in the Orākei Local Board area. 2pm to 4pm, Orākei Community Centre, 156 Kepa Rd. RSVPs required, email communityfunding@ aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

La Cigale French Market Saturday and Sunday mornings, 69 St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell

Parnell Farmers’ Market Every Saturday from 8am, Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Rd

“Oscar’s Friends” pet photographic exhibition, Kinder House, Parnell. Runs until August 28

Grammar 1st XV v Otahuhu College at Grammar, 2.30pm Grammar Prefects’ Ball

Friends of King’s College Ladies’ Lunch, Heritage Hotel

The September issue is out this weekend! Look for the new issue in your letterbox this Saturday and Sunday. Think you’ve missed out? Let us know: business@ thehobson.co.nz

Hear art historian Professor Len Bell talk about former Remuera resident Charles Goldie tonight at Remuera Library. Hosted by Remuera Heritage, 6.30pm, $5 admission.

Happy birthday Stephen Penny!

EGGS Mid-term break

Nuclear Free Forever An exhibition honouring the peace work of Larry Ross and NZ peace art. At Kinder House, Parnel. Opens today and runs until September 20. Entry by donation.

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notes

the pretty

the

Big Chill

Snuggle up inside and make some special tweaks to your beauty routine, says Melissa Williams-King

Dip into a delightful hot bath and soak away stress. The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Bath Tea, $64, contains antioxidants to help you detox. The Body Shop, Newmarket

Stay bright-eyed this winter with Kiehl’s Super Multi Corrective Eye-Opening Serum, $72. This multifunctional product targets thinning skin, fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin, and also gives an instant boost with illuminating minerals. Smith & Caughey’s Newmarket Now’s a good time to get your teen started on a good skincare system (she — or he — will thank you come summertime). This Teen Aspect Kit, $79, contains cleanser, toner, lotion and spot treatment. From Prescription Skin Care, Remuera. www.prescriptionskincare.co.nz

If every day is red nose day for you during cold season, this soothing, green-tinted primer is just the Rx you need. Dermalogica Redness Relief Primer, $88. SAS Clinic, Newmarket, and Louise Gray Skin Care, Mission Bay

There are two routes when it comes to a winter scent. Embrace the darker, cold days with an intense, rich fragrance such as Jo Malone Incense & Cedrat, $265. Or you can count down to spring with a bright, feminine floral such as the new Estée Lauder Pleasures Florals, $113, a very pretty limited-edition twist on the classic scent. Jo Malone, Britomart, Smith & Caughey’s Newmarket

If dry winter lips have you reaching for the plain balm instead of the pretty lippy, try this luxe compromise. Lancome Shine Lover, $54, comes in 15 highly-pigmented shades, each with hyaluronic acid, rose oil and a protective gel to deeply hydrate. Life Pharmacy, Remuera the hobson 30

For a superb splurge, you can’t go past La Prairie’s new Anti Aging Rapid Response Booster, $405. Encapsulated peptides deliver a targeted collagen boost, with results promised after just two weeks. Face Facts, Remuera

Supercharge your night cream with collagen-boosters, antioxidants and rich moisturisers. That’s the recipe behind Clinique Repairwear Sculpting Night Cream, $149, which promises to firm the jaw area after eight weeks of use. Life Pharmacy 277, Newmarket

Brighten up your winter look with a touch of peacock colour around the eyes. Benefit’s They’re Real PushUp Liner, $42, now comes in blue, green and purple shades and the cult They’re Real Mascara, $42, comes in brown and blue. Smith & Caughey’s Newmarket

the hobson suggests

Keep Your Chin Up

Botox can soften the effect, and stop these muscles from pulling so much.

hile we concentrate most of our anti-ageing efforts on our face, often the neck and jawline are neglected. But this area may be the first to show signs of ageing, and for many women and men, it’s an all-too visible annoyance — the celebrated American writer Nora Ephron even titled a memoir I Feel Bad About My Neck, echoing the thoughts of many over-40s. But there are several ways you can address decline in this area.

Sunspots on the Neck or Décolletage Treat sunspots with Prescription Skin Care’s advanced IPL treatment, which is safe and effective for very light to very dark skins. Wintertime is ideal for treatment since UV exposure is reduced, and the sun won’t be working counter to your results. We can also improve the look of pigmented skin with medical grade skincare, backed by scientific research.

Perhaps you have some of these concerns: 1. Horizontal lines 2. Pronounced vertical bands 3. Jowls 4. Sagging skin at the throat 5. Sun damage on the décolletage 6. Crepey skin The neck can be a tricky area to treat, so it’s essential you talk to the experts — at Prescription Skin Care treating the neck and décolletage is one of our specialities and our experienced, highly-trained, professional staff will work with you to customise the best option to address your concerns.

3 4

Here are some of the many ways we can treat your neck area: Horizontal Lines, Sagging or Crepey Skin New generation hyaluronic acid fillers hydrate the skin and improve its structure and elasticity. Rather than being used to plump up a specific area such as lips or cheeks, these fine, sheer injectable fillers are ideal for overall skin rejuvenation, and are very effective for the neck and décolletage. We also offer Nectifirm, a clinic-only cream which offers a significant improvement in skin quality.

Artem Furman/shutterstock.com

Pronounced or “Ropey” Vertical Bands If you tend to strain your neck muscles, this can look more unattractive as you age, and lose volume. Judicious use of

Jowls or Double Chin These can be effectively managed with the ‘Nefertiti lift’, a Botox technique that defines, and recontours, the area with a series of targeted injections.

Further Treatment to Consider The use of fillers and injectables can do much to diminish the signs of ageing. But sometimes the correction you want is best addressed by a surgical procedure. Face and neck lift surgery has come a long way — these days it’s quite non-invasive, and can be done under intravenous sedation. We can arrange a free consultation with one of the specialist nurses at Dr Stephen Gilbert’s New Zealand Institute of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery. This leading practice is located in the same building as our Prescription Skin Care clinic, and we work closely together to achieve the best possible outcomes for all our clientele. Prescription Skin Care is led by Plastic Surgeon Dr Stephen Gilbert FRCS, FRACS (plastic). 243 Remuera Rd, Remuera. Call 529 5784 or email info@ prescriptionskincare.co.nz to book your appointment.

Zoom Team/shutterstock.com

the piste

Your Best Guide to

Skiing New Zealand, In Style When it comes to skiing, there’s a difference between what you think it’s going to be like, what it’s actually like — and what you tell your friends it was like. With tongue a little in cheek, skier Belinda Masfen tell us what really cuts it on the slopes.

he New Zealand ski season is upon us, and it’s looking to be a great one, with many fields boasting a good snow base already. Many of us have booked and paid for a family ski holiday. For the same price, one could have packed a small suitcase with a few bikinis, and gone to Fiji, which is much more relaxing. Why do we put ourselves through it every year? Because despite the early starts and aching limbs, we love it. The mountain air, the scenery, the fact that it’s a whole-family activity …. However, whether this is your first trip to the snow or your tenth, there are a few things you may want to know. THE ROAD TRIP One must always remember you are in New Zealand. Not Whistler, or say, St Moritz. The New Zealand skier must set the alarm for 6am to make that one-hour arduous journey up a tortuous mountain road. (Getting a spot in the top carpark is something you can boast about all day). And one must always be prepared to stop and fit chains to your tyres. If you haven’t done this before, I suggest you practice before you leave home, as fumbling around with them may cost you your coveted position in the top carpark. And do not EVER wear white ski pants in New Zealand. Stretched out in the mud fitting chains and wearing white will ruin your day before it’s even begun. ARRIVING ON THE MOUNTAIN Make sure your family are well prepared and you have (if need be) rented your equipment the day before. If not, be prepared to endure the sort of queues where small children will be crushed, and ski poles will be used as weapons. Booking lessons and getting ski passes prior to your arrival will also speed up your morning. Nothing screams

“punter” more than walking around with your boots undone and carrying your skis and poles in front of you like a pile of firewood. Tip: Do up the two top buckles on your boots and put your skis over your shoulder (tips facing down). Poles should be held in one hand, pointing downwards. Even in the carpark it’s important to look like a pro. MOUNTAIN ETIQUETTE Know the rules of the mountain. Let’s start with the lift queue; this requires patience as often one is in it for up to 40 minutes. No matter how frustrated you get, the line WILL NOT move any faster, so you must find inner calm. One must also be careful not to gossip in a lift queue — people are often unrecognisable in their helmets and goggles, and you don’t want to be caught out. Unless you have fallen over and cannot feel any sensation in your legs, DO NOT STOP in the middle of a run. You will be taken out by another skier (or worse, a snowboarder). If you do happen to find yourself stopped on the side of a run, please look up before you embark onto the run again. You wouldn’t pull out into traffic without looking for oncoming cars first, right? Same rules apply on the mountain. Don’t bother telling everyone how good you are — let your ability speak for itself. Speed is often not your friend if your ability is minimal. It’s hard to remain looking cool when one is flailing down the mountain out of control on an intermediate run. Remember, there is no hiding on the mountain — those chairlifts are front-row seats to the best show in town. Stay away from the ski racers (they are the ones in the tight lycra suits, surrounded by people with European accents). Don’t EVER think it may be a good idea to try skiing through a race course to show off to your mates. You will not even remotely look like you are competing at Sochi — what is more likely is that a racer will take you out at 80km/h. And that will ruin your day, and theirs.

the hobson 33

the piste

When you’re not actually skiing, you will be talking about it. That amazingly fast run you did, the air you got off a small-sized mogul, the ski patrol telling you to slow down … (trust me, this only happens to the ski racers). So, what are a few terms one can throw in to impress friends? Chute. Tell everyone you skied down a chute, which is a steep and narrow gully, normally surrounded by rocks and almost certainly an “expert only” run. On the chairlift, ask what DIN setting your friend’s ski bindings — the attachment between boot and ski — are set on. The higher the setting, the better the skier. A DIN setting is the tension release that determines the amount of pressure required for the ski binding to release from the boot. Then move onto the boots, and ask about the “cant”. The cant is the part of the boot that can be adjusted inwards or outwards to improve edge control. Serious stuff. CLOTHING DO’S & DONT’S As mentioned, you are in New Zealand, not skiing in some swanky European ski resort. Elle Macpherson or Ivana Trump will not be in the cafe queue in front of you, buying a steak and cheese pie and a Powerade (but one of our home-grown celebs might be). That said, you still want to look good, but in an understated way suited to local conditions. This means no fur or leopard print (save that for the apres-ski scene if you must). And Absolutely No Jeans. For those of you under 30, people actually skied in jeans in the ’80s. I know. But in saying that, if you are a pro skier you can rock this look, in fact any look, as you have earned it.

Never tuck your ski pants into your boots, it’s impractical and uncool. Cover your forehead. There should be no gap between your helmet and your goggles. This is commonly referred to as “helmet gap,” and is not flattering. Zip up your jacket, always. HARDWEAR Like choosing your run, pick out gear within your ability level. It’s not the ’80s anymore, when the longer the ski, the better street cred you had. Leave it to the professionals in the stores or rental centres to give you advice, but don’t overstate your ability, or you will end up on skis that you can’t control. Remember ladies, it does not matter what colour your skis or boots are — pick the ones that fit well, and skis that suit your ability level. All joking aside, New Zealand is without doubt one of the most beautifully breathtaking places in the world to ski. Treble Cone, which overlooks Lake Wanaka, boasts one of the best views in the world. The drive, the dirt in the carparks, putting on chains, are all worth it for the days we have on our magnificent mountains. For skiers, there’s no place like home. Parnell resident Belinda Masfen is a qualified ski instructor, who began skiing at 13 with her parents in Wanaka. She and her family spend many days during winter at Wanaka’s Cardrona ski field. Her favourite place to ski is on the first run on the White Star Express at Cardrona. That said, these days she describes herself as a “fairweather skier”. She does not own white ski pants.

You can get away with a light jacket in NZ (like our too-cool couple, pictured above) but skip the white pants. For gear you really do want, don’t miss our ski jackets giveaway, courtesy of Snowcentre: see page 2. the hobson 34

conrado/shutterstock.com

SKI SPEAK

BELINDA’S REAL CHECKLIST FOR WHAT TO WEAR SKIING MID-WINTER IN NEW ZEALAND Socks Buy a pair especially designed for skiing. Merino is best. First Layers Leggings — again buy merino or polypropylene (polyprops)is also good. Leggings, I think, need to be three-quarter in length, as you don’t want them tucked into your boots as they can rub. (Cut off longer ones if need be.) You also will require a long sleeve merino (or polyprop) top. Brands such as Icebreaker, Macpac, Kathmandu, Helly Hansen, do a great range of these. Mid Layer The thickness of your jacket will depend on the layers you require underneath. If you’re wearing a lined ski jacket on top, wear a zip up polar-fleece or merino mid layer. But if you’re donning a shelltype (unlined) jacket, I would suggest also wearing a vest or a mid layer jacket underneath. The North Face do a great range of vests and mid layer jackets. Ski Pants Think comfort — you need to be able to move. Many ski pants come with a stretch yarn in them and these are super comfortable. In New Zealand, dark colours are more practical (remember the dirt in the carparks). Good ski pants should last for years. Buy at end of year sales and look for ones that use Gortex, and have a very high waterproof rating (10,000mm to 20,000mm — the higher the number, the better the fabric against rain, snow and pressure). Ski Jackets There are many different types of jackets you can buy, from shells to puffas, it’s personal preference. Like ski pants, a good ski jacket will last you for years. It must be waterproof (look for a rating of 10,000mm-plus) and Gortex if possible. I like hoods on jackets as they are great in the wind. Make sure your hood fits over your helmet (good for high winds on chairlifts). Again dark colours are more practical for the end of the day when jackets are thrown in the back of the car, or end up on the café floor. Gloves Mittens or gloves? Personal preference. For those of you who suffer from cold hands, mittens are great for tucking in a hand-warmer. Neck Warmer These look like a tube, and keep your neck and the front of your face protected from the elements. They can be merino or polarfleece. They can also be excellent for keeping that strong mountain sun off your face. Balaclava In the colder months these are great as they keep both head and neck warm. And, they’re more practical for kids than a neck warmer. Helmet These should be compulsory, but they’re not. Make sure your strap is always done up. Goggles Try and buy goggles that have an all-weather lens. You can also buy different lenses to suit different conditions, such as low-light and bright-light, but these are quite a hassle to change over. Tip If you want a stress-free start to your day on the slopes, put out ski gear the night before. Pack each person’s gear into individual bags (boots, helmet, goggles, gloves) — it’s far easier when you arrive on the mountain, and it means each person can be responsible for their own kit, and there’s no tussles over whose glove is who’s. From top: Marmot on Piste ski gloves, Nike ski goggles, Obermeyer “Carlie” ski jacket (which you can win — see page 2!), and Mons Royale neck warmer. All images courtesy of Snowcentre. the hobson 35

the magpie The Swedish stylemeisters at Day Birger et Mikkelsen have candles covered in two simple forms. No.1: “Day of Intuition” has a woody fragrance derived from a blend of vetiver, bergamot and waterflowers. No.2: “Day of Memories” is the perfect fresh fragrance, created with notes of blackberries, jasmine and tomato leaves. Both are made from natural wax, and after 40 hours of burning time, they have a second life as pen holders or posie vases. Day Birger et Mikkelsen candles, $128.50 each from Hedgerow, 371 Remuera Rd. www.hedgerow.co.nz

The Apelle Dining Chair by MIDJ Italy, is at the top of my wish list. Available as a dining chair, rocking chair or footstool, you have the ability to customise your order with a range of sublime leather-hide colours like blush pink and navy blue (as well as the classics), and with frame options in white, chrome, rose gold or black nickel. Prices on inquiry. Exclusively at Sarsfield Brooke, 155-165 The Strand, Parnell. www. sarsfieldbrooke.co.nz

Oh for goodness sake, there are comfortable and stylish alternatives to running round town all day in your exercise gear, and I think this little outfit from Karen Walker nails it. Explore your options, ladies. Potter’s pants, $495, bell-sleeve shirt, $390, Jeanie loafers, $435, limited edition Northern Lights sunglasses, $399. Karen Walker, 6 Balm St, Newmarket. www.karenwalker.com The midi skirt is here to stay, and solves the problem of what to wear with your long or short winter boots. This Sundha Skirt, $349, is a stellar example of the trend and works well trans-seasonally with a silk blouse, a fine knit, or a t-shirt tucked in. And the Greta Coat, $899, will speak for itself for years and years to come. Gregory, 365 Remuera Rd. www.gregory.net.nz Brighten up your winter under-world with some colourful new lingerie from Bendon’s Heidi Klum Intimates. Cle D’Amour, underwire bra, $69.95 and bikini brief, $39.95. There’s also a forest green set in the range, that is (surprisingly) stunning. Available at Bendon on Broadway, Newmarket. the hobson 36

So beautiful, I think I’d rather frame these cards than gift them to friends. OK, maybe I would share them with a few special friends. Either way, Superette’s collection of cards, and prints, is unbeatable. Ragdoll Illustrations Cards, $7 from Superette, 34 Nuffield St, Newmarket. www.superette.com

Love these retro-inspired leather sneakers from See by Chloe. This “Sam” shoe is a bit of fun in rainbow hues of red, cobalt blue, orange, yellow, black and white, on a white platform sole. $490 from Runway, 24 Nuffield St, Newmarket. www.runwayshoes.co.nz

It’s double duty from these D&G frames. The super-chic styling in black with a shadow of gold makes an impressive fashion statement, while the sheer size of them works to hide a multitude of sins. $310, available from OPSM, 395 Remuera Rd. www.opsm.co.nz

Hello, handsome. The Rolex Cellini won’t store your contacts, call your spouse, give you driving directions or accompany you 20,000 leagues under the sea. It will, however, look uber-stylish, slip effortlessly under your cuff, and gently guide you through the passing hands of time for the rest of your life. And for your son’s life, too. The fine 18-carat rose gold case, on a brown alligator strap, suggests it might be time to swap the wrist-tanks of the last decade for something much, much, more refined. Rolex Cellini timepiece, $21,550 from Partridge Jewellers, 237 Broadway, Newmarket. www.partridgejewellers.com

Introducing The Magpie — stylist Justine Williams’ edit of the beautiful, useful, and highly desirable Me, you, anyone would look good in this ride. The BMW 2 Series Cabrio (here in Estoril Blue) will get you around town and beyond in style. From $72,800 drive away, or $77,800 for the M Sport model shown. From Jerry Clayton BMW, phone (09) 488 2000 to book a test drive. www.jcbmw.co.nz

the hobson 37

the magpie The Apelle Dining Chair by MIDJ Italy, is at the top of my wish list. Available as a dining chair, rocking chair or footstool, you have the ability to customise your order with a range of sublime leather-hide colours like blush pink and navy blue (as well as the classics), and with frame options in white, chrome, rose gold or black nickel. Prices on inquiry. Exclusively at Sarsfield Brooke, 155-165 The Strand, Parnell. www. sarsfieldbrooke.co.nz

The Swedish stylemeisters at Day Birger et Mikkelsen have candles covered in two simple forms. No.1: “Day of Intuition” has a woody fragrance derived from a blend of vetiver, bergamot and waterflowers. No.2: “Day of Memories” is the perfect fresh fragrance, created with notes of blackberries, jasmine and tomato leaves. Both are made from natural wax, and after 40 hours of burning time, they have a second life as pen holders or posie vases. Day Birger et Mikkelsen candles, $128.50 each from Hedgerow, 371 Remuera Rd. www.hedgerow.co.nz

The midi skirt is here to stay, and solves the problem of what to wear with your long or short winter boots. This Sundha Skirt, $349, is a stellar example of the trend and works well trans-seasonally with a silk blouse, a fine knit, or a t-shirt tucked in. And the Greta Coat, $899, will speak for itself for years and years to come. Gregory, 365 Remuera Rd. www.gregory.net.nz Brighten up your winter under-world with some colourful new lingerie from Bendon’s Heidi Klum Intimates. Cle D’Amour, underwire bra, $69.95 and bikini brief, $39.95. There’s also a forest green set in the range, that is (surprisingly) stunning. Available at Bendon on Broadway, Newmarket. the hobson 36

the hobson 37

the wellbeing

Epsom Electorate Office Suite 2.4, Level 2, 27 Gillies Avenue, Newmarket.

PO Box 9209, Newmarket 1149. To contact me for an appointment please call 09 522 7464

David Seymour, MP for Epsom davidseymour.epsom@parliament.govt.nz

Promoted by David Seymour, MP for Epsom.

PAUL GOLDSMITH NATIONAL LIST MP BASED IN EPSOM

107 Great South Road, Greenlane PO Box 26 153 Epsom, Auckland 1344 P: 09 524 4930 E: paul.goldsmith@parliament.govt.nz W: www.paulgoldsmith.co.nz facebook.com/PaulGoldsmithNZ Funded by Parliamentary Service and authorised by Paul Goldsmith 107 Great South Rd Auckland

Man, Interrupted

www.national.org.nz

here is a chemical engineering epidemic that is taking place that is one of the most important events threatening you today as a man. It’s the destruction of the male hormonal system that is the lifeline to your potency as a man. In the past few decades, we have seen a steady stream of evidence into what many doctors and ressearchers now suspect is responsible for this problem: a class of synthetic chemicals ubiquitous in our world. Sperm counts have been cut in half in the last 50 years, testicular cancer has doubled in the last 20 years and men today can have up to 50 per cent less testosterone than men 50 years ago. Chemically, we are destroying our manhood and becoming impotent. No wonder women today feel the need to step up and fill the social void left vacant by many men today, in the boardroom and the bedroom. It’s a case of “The Disappearing Male,” whereby man-made toxic chemicals are interfering with the male hormonal system, causing havoc with the basic building blocks of male sexual potency. This chemical onslaught even goes as far as to disrupt the pre-frontal cortex of the brain, the part in charge of abstract thinking, thought analysis and regulating behaviour and social control. Physically, where do all these toxic chemicals go? They get stored in the adipose tissue, as the fat stores about your belly, and as unwanted tissue about those ‘man boobs’ evident in the feminisation of man. They also clog internal organs like your liver, inhibiting detoxification and cholesterol production, the mother precursor of your sex hormones. Taking the latest fat loss pills that are in vogue, or going manic with exercise won’t do much to solve the problem. Neither will the prescription of Viagra to kick-start a failing libido that’s on top of an already chemically stressed and weakened heart. It equals energy failing. The ‘Big Problem’ is the environment. And a main culprit is the deluge of petroleum chemicals found in everything from shampoo, sunglasses, meat and dairy products, carpet, cosmetics, computers, plastic water bottles, even cash register receipts. These chemicals are referred to as ‘hormone mimickers’ or ‘endocrine disruptors’ that cause major damage to the most basic building blocks of human development — your hormones, in particular estrogen. Remember, the genome responds to environment signals, it does not control them. So, managing your environment is a key step in reclaiming your power back, and health as a man. Too much estrogen from synthetic chemicals leads to low testosterone, which in men converts to physical, mental and emotional imbalance. Your body is biochemically blind to synthetic chemicals, to the point that they become part of the background chemistry in your body, altering the hormonal potency that drives your genetic expression as a man. It’s about biochemistry first. Get the chemistry right, and exercise does what it should do with ease, and the body functions with potency by design. The first thing you can do to rectify the problem is to get blood work/labs done so you can see the truth as to how your body is coping with the assault of synthetic chemicals that are novel to human chemistry. From here, you can formulate a plan to restore the health and potency back into your manhood. You can pretend that it doesn’t exist, but it does. The price you pay is your health, and once that goes, all bets are off as to how far you will go in life. Earth used to be a simple place. No longer is this the case, for we have turned new chemicals loose on ourselves. This is the tip of the iceberg of mixing synthetic technology with biology. — Lee Parore

the hobson suggests

A Journey of Discovery to India & Nepal For many, a holiday to India is a challenging idea — your heart says yes, but your head says no. Paul Leigh, managing director of Parnell’s EuroVista Holidays, considers questions a would-be traveller may have.

here’s a wonderful scene in the movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Set in the city of Jaipur, India, the irascible English retiree Jean, who hasn’t adapted very well, asks her learned companion, Graham: “How can you bear this country? What do you see that I don’t?” His reply: “Oh, the light. Colours. Smiles. And, the way people see life as a privilege and not a right. It teaches me something”. Good answer. If he’d had more speaking time, he might also have included its stunning landscapes, magnificent cities, grand structures, rich cultures and fascinating history. But, is it a country you’d visit? Do you identify with Jean or Graham in the story? For some, our only impression and understanding of India is gleaned from gloomy TV images portraying India as a country of poverty ridden masses, living in crowded cities surrounded by crumbling infrastructure. But, occasionally too, as we watch a beautifully filmed drama set in the Indian countryside, a maharaja’s palace or classic hotel, we feel our hearts lighten and our spirits soar. We are torn — our heart says yes, but our head says no. Would I be able to cope with the heat, dust, hustle and bustle? What about the food? What if I get stomach problems? Follow your heart. The answer is, yes, you could cope. Easily ... If you’ve a passion for travel to exotic far-off lands or a yearning for adventure, then a holiday in India and Nepal is just the ticket. Our company, which designs and operates small-group tours in Europe, couldn’t refuse the call to return to India and Nepal, so we’ve crafted an extraordinary 16-day, easy-paced, small-group tour covering Nepal and northern India, departing this November. It’s an ideal time to visit this region. The tour is fully escorted from Auckland by NewstalkZB host Danny Watson. In India, the tour is managed and guided by our specialist tour director, Gabriella Fontana. Gabriella is Italian but speaks fluent Hindi (and English of course) and her knowledge and

enthusiasm is only exceeded by her love for the people and their customs. We have worked with Gabriella for many years, and she’s just wonderful. The tour is designed to take the hassle out of travelling on the subcontinent, so you can just relax and enjoy, safe in the knowledge that everything has been thought of, and nothing is left to chance — including airfares, transfers, guides, 5-star hotels, meals, sightseeing, excursions, entertainment, entrance fees and tipping. We’ve even planned a couple of optional extras for the more adventurous: a jeep ride to seek out the endangered tigers at the Panna National Park Reserve, and a scenic flight to Mt. Everest. Hey, I hear you say again ... but what about the food? Will I get sick? Food safety is an issue for sensitive Western tummies, and we know too that armies and adventurers travel on their stomachs, so we’ve got you covered with menus derived from Indian, Nepalese and European cuisine. Rest assured, with the premium level of travel provided on this tour, the risk of becoming ill from unsafe food is very low. You won’t be getting Delhi Belly! As you will be aware, the recent earthquakes in Nepal have left parts of Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Valley severely damaged, but most of the area and monuments remain intact. If you’re worried about the situation, fear not. By the time the tour arrives, Nepal will be in full rebuild mode. In any case, we only visit areas assessed and deemed safe by UNESCO. We’ve planned two glorious days exploring Kathmandu, and you can take comfort from the fact that your visit there will help the Nepalese people get back on their feet in a tangible way; tourism is the life-blood of their economy. In addition, for each person who books this tour, $200 will be donated in their name to Sir Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust to support their Earthquake Rebuild Appeal. So there you go. It’s all wonderful news. And, the heart and the head are in unison at last. Seize the day! — Paul Leigh

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the second act

Hey Nineteen!

hen our daughter turned 19 in April, as if by magic that trying, self-opinionated, combative persona gave way over-night to a delightful, hormonally-balanced version of her best self. We’ve been almost smug that she has emerged in this final year of her teens so centered, happy and confident — her only battle scars being a few small tattoos and several piercings, about which once I would have cared, but with the benefit of hindsight, it simply doesn’t matter. (“At least she’s not pregnant/not smoking crack/ hasn’t joined ISIS,” counselled other battle-weary mothers of teen girls, revealing how one’s parenting benchmarks shift downward when you’ve got yourself a bit of a firecracker). So imagine our surprise, and slight annoyance, when just as we were beginning to really relax and get into this parenting thing, she announces that she is moving out. It seems I can mark her 19 years in phases. There was the babyhood sleepless nights phase, then the maternal-guilt-laden primary school years as I struggled with work/life balance, followed by the general worry phase as she changed schools and friendship groups. Then there was the teenage phase, which started with acne and ended with parties, and a surprise appearance on the “Drunk News” on 7 Days (a low point in the mother-daughter dynamic.) And now, we only get to feel smug for two months? I’ve always advocated that if you can teach kids independence, you’ve done your job. And to which she once said, accusingly, “you’d rather me be independent than happy” (sad perhaps, but true). But now I have to eat my words as the independent teen, a university student, has supplemented her part-time job with a small online venture to fund her rent ... and she’s leaving us. Having lost my own mother at 18, I have an operating glitch in my internal software that keeps me doling out “life lessons” at any given moment, in case I cark it. The kids have been known to roll their eyes and say “Oh god, enough of the life lessons, can’t we just watch TV like normal people?” As she won’t be there to lecture, our 14-year-old son will bear the brunt, but he’s already playing me for a fool by looking

vaguely interested, just so I loosen up on screen-time rules. So to get it out of my system, I consulted other mothers of daughters, and started compiling a list of what I wish someone had told me at 19. It started with the ethereal … “Who cares what anyone else thinks?” “Love yourself”, then moved to the practical — “Get honest about how much wine you are drinking”. “Save 10 per cent of your salary”. Then to the seriously concerned. “The people you’ll live with are probably psychopaths and you will get to know the full range of human behaviours”. And “you will be thrown together with people not from your world, which will be both eye-opening, and affirming”. And then it struck me. Hang on, maybe we are subconsciously counselling ourselves! I can’t help being excited and moved by her giddiness as she tastes the sweet flavour of independence for the first time. But there is something more. As one’s children start moving on, there is room for you to emerge again. This column is called ‘The Second Act’ for a reason — as I embark on the second half of my life, enjoy my fourth career phase and relish in part-time university study, I have reframed the way I look at being 52. I said to the editor once that I think of myself as a school leaver again, at university, but with a couple of homes and some life skills under my belt. Imagine if I had this brain on my shoulders when I left school! Recently a friend’s 22-year-old daughter sought my advice. She was fretting about life and work, as her degree was coming to an end, along with a relationship, but her future, she believed, looked undecided and unclear. “Are you kidding?”, I counselled. My advice was just to enjoy being your age. Remember way back when? Freedom, road trips, dreams, options, bodies that bounce (in a good way), simple pleasures, blushed faces (again, in a good way), wide-eyed backpacking, new ideas, life-changing books, great gigs. So perhaps this is the biggest life lesson that myself and other emptying-nest mothers may like to take on — just be 19! — Sandy Burgham

the teacher

Progress Reports

t is the time of year when teachers are assessing the performance of their students over the first semester, to report to parents. It is also a checkpoint for teachers to ensure they have made a difference to their students’ progress, and to write next learning steps for them, for the remainder of the year. With the National Standards as a good benchmark, we are constantly watching for variations and academic movement in students and planning accordingly. School attendance is a 13-year journey through primary, middle and senior schools. This journey, in all its different forms — and because it spans a wide age range from 5 years to around 18 years — is a process of exploring, experimenting, learning to communicate, learning about their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others, so that they can understand, participate and make a difference to the world when it is their turn. I might add that every year is as valuable as the next, and shortening this experience is not to be recommended. Children grow up fast enough without having to deal with issues that are beyond their years, particularly if they have been moved on a year in the earlier years. Eminent psychologist Lev Vygotsky defined learning as “the creation of meaning that occurs when an individual links new knowledge with existing knowledge”. As teachers, we explore students’ understanding in order to provide appropriate experiences that will allow them to make connections between their current perceptions. However, a good teacher will know that having knowledge is not always conducive to understanding, and will be constantly checking for this. Children will usually enter a Year 1 classroom with many skills already in place. Most often, and hopefully, they have had an early childhood experience where the learning process has begun. Occasionally we see the result of an ambitious parent who has their child reading, writing and a ‘maths whiz’ by the time they enter school! I am not saying it is wrong to teach preschool children a few reading or maths skills. However, it can often be harder for a child to ‘unlearn’ a process that is not current, and very confusing

for them. Preschool years are for curiosity, exploring and getting dirty. By the time a student reaches the end of Year 3, three extremely important years, they will need to have many skills and strategies in place in all curriculum areas. It is important that you, as a parent, understand your child’s placement on the National Standard. Year 3 is also the first year of administering the PAT (Progress and Achievement Test) in Listening and Mathematics. You can ask your child’s teacher to provide you with these results and to explain what they mean for your child. They provide valuable information on each student and enable teachers to individually plan. I must emphasise that all children learn at very different paces in these early years at school, and let me reassure you that this is very normal. Often, after a slow start, children can catch up, or plateau for a while, around the end of Year 3. It is important for you as parents to make sure you too put in the hard yards in these critical learning years. There is so much more to learning to read than just word recognition, which can be misunderstood. It is important to understand that in the early primary years children “learn to read”, after which this changes to “reading to learn”. Often, if children are not reaching the National Standard, parents will opt to take on a tutor. I am all for this, but in small bursts, and for it to be a one-on-one experience. Some children just need that extra boost to help their understanding, without the distraction of a normal classroom. Some more progressive schools will offer extra tuition classes, so check for this. There are many agencies and tutors out there, so make sure you do your research before making the investment. The journey through school is quite a marathon, littered with speed bumps and chicanes! We often hear of highly successful people who did not do well at school. This proves academic maturity can come later in life for some people. However, the more that can be achieved throughout your child’s school years will be a valuable investment in their freedom of choice in later years. — Judi Paape

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the hobson 41

the arts

Venetian Class

s I arrived in Venice on this, my fourth trip to the Biennale, I was immediately struck by my love of the city and the feeling that I will never tire of going there. Plenty of famous writers have spoken about how Venice steals your heart. Mary Shelley wrote, “There is something so different in Venice from any other place in the world, that you leave at once all accustomed habits and everyday sights to enter an enchanted garden …”. It’s a particularly apt quote for those attending the marvellous mayhem that is Vernissage week at the Venice Biennale. As Chair of the Patrons of New Zealand at Venice, I had spent many hours, along with the rest of the team, planning our week. So as well as feeling excited upon arrival in May, I was anxious. I had 65 patrons poised and ready to experience

the New Zealand pavilion and much more. I need not have worried about our own exhibition; New Zealand’s representative Simon Denny is a consummate professional. Denny created an ambitious and challenging exhibition across two sites in Venice. The first greeted incoming travellers in the arrivals hall at Marco Polo airport.

It’s the first time an artist has been able to use the airport as a venue, and Denny performed a kind of ‘drag and drop’ to bring the wonderful painted frescoes of the Marciana Library to the airport. Photographs of the ornate ceilings were printed onto vinyl, which had been installed throughout the airport, including onto a baggage carousel. I experienced an unusually surreal moment when during our formal blessing of the site, the baggage carousel suddenly creaked into life and the artwork literally took off. the hobson 42

In Venice itself, the exhibition Secret Power continued in the historic Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana Library. Within one of the most beautiful rooms in the city, Denny constructed a kind of server room, complete with sliding doors, server racks and a workstation within its hallowed walls. The servers were vitrines, containing objects and information that shine a light on New Zealand’s role in intelligence work by the National Security Agency (NSA), as a member of the US-led Five Eyes alliance.This is a richly complex project, and it does not really look like ‘art’ as many know it, but it has a certain beauty. Denny is a perfectionist and is so wellresearched and enthusiastic it left me, and plenty of others, full of admiration for this rising star of the international art world. Importantly, New Zealand’s pavilion attracted much attention during the opening week. Frieze magazine launched their June issue, which features Denny, with a glamorous party in our space, and publications including Wallpaper, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times praised the Kiwi offering. International attention from publications like these are an important part of getting New Zealand’s message out to the world; that we are not just a nation of sailors and rugby players, but that we have a bold and intelligent voice that is engaged in contemporary culture. We also enjoyed checking out exhibitions from many other countries. A media scrum surrounded Cate Blanchett as she officially opened Australia’s brand new pavilion, the only building to rise in the Giardini this century. Sarah Lucas, representing Britain,

opened her exhibition I Scream Daddio with a performance by a drum and bass duo on the stairs of the grand 120-year-old building. The music may not have been to our liking, but the atmosphere was electric. Inside, the huge reclining male figures in egg-yolk yellow that mingled with plaster cast sculptures of pairs of legs, and cats, proved controversial with visitors and critics. The Key in the Hand by Chiharu Shiota in the Japanese Pavilion was a favourite for its ethereal beauty. Strolling the wide pathways of the Giardini has to be one of the most rewarding people-watching experiences. Vernissage week attracts all the diverse groups that make up the art world; all busy stalking art. Beautiful people in expensive clothes, students, dealers, collectors and artists all provide a rich visual spectacle. When we were not looking at art, we enjoyed great food and wine. NZ is fortunate to have a generous wine sponsor in the boutique label Black Estate, and we attended a sumptuous party at the famous Danielli Hotel hosted by Simon Denny’s four international dealers. On our final evening, the large New Zealand contingent gathered at Naranzaria, just below Rialto bridge, and over chardonnay and the ubiquitous spritz, we toasted another very successful outing for New Zealand at Venice. — Leigh Melville If you are interested in hearing more about New Zealand’s plans for Venice 2017 and would like to join us, please contact leigh@ artandobject.co.nz

Opposite page: Secret Power by Simon Denny installed at Venice’s Marco Polo Airport. Photos: Paolo Monello (top image) and Michele Crosera. This page, Denny’s work at the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana. Inset, the artist, Simon Denny. Photos: Nick Ash the hobson 43

the cinema

Winter at the Movies has found fame in the stories of their exploits, making Holmes a celebrity and depicting their adventures less accurately than Holmes would like. In his twilight, Holmes sets out to rewrite the past, and solve his last case.

JULY THE FALLING — director Carol Morley. Starring Maisie Williams, Anna Burnett, Maxine Peake, Florence Pugh, Greta Scacchi. From acclaimed British writer-director Morley and featuring Game of Thrones star Williams, comes this psychodrama, set in 1969 at a strict English girls’ school. Charming and devious Abbie (Pugh) and troubled Lydia (Williams) are best friends. After Lydia suffers from a fainting spell, an epidemic breaks out, threatening the structured world within the school. Quite a departure from Williams’ better-known character, the sword-wielding Arya Stark. MR HOLMES — director Bill Condon. Starring Ian McKellen, Patrick Kennedy, Laura Linney, Hattie Morahan, Milo Parker, Colin Starkey. Hot off the back of the reinvention of the Sherlock Holmes stories, comes yet a further tale of the exploits of the famed solver of mysteries. In this drama, Holmes is an aged, long-retired man living a long way from Baker St. Looking back on his life, Holmes, played effortlessly by British

thespian McKellen (aka Gandalf/ Magneto to many), is tortured by an unsolved case and an ever-growing interest in his life as documented by Dr Watson (Starkey). Watson, having parted ways with Holmes,

A series for lovers of FILMS FOR

fine

TRAINWRECK — director Judd Apatow. Starring Amy Schumer, Vanessa Bayer, Bill Hader, Brie Larson, Tilda Swinton. Written by 2014’s breakout comedian and Comedy Central star Amy Schumer and directed by Apatow (Bridesmaids, Freaks and Geeks, This is 40), comes this laugh-out-loud comedy definitely not appropriate for children. Having been brought up on the philosophy that monogamy is never possible, commitment-phobic magazine writer Amy (Schumer) is forced to reconsider her ideology when she meets Dr Aaron Conners (Hader). With the misguided support of her best friend, Amy attempts to consider the benefits of ‘new world’ monogamy. The diverse cast includes appearances by Swinton, Daniel Radcliffe, NBA star LeBron James, WWE’s John Cena and rapper/actor Method Man.

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ramifications of her choices. Hostility reigns from her nowgrown kids, and Ricki is left trying to find her place in a world where no one wants her. As usual Streep is convincing, as she is in every role she takes, choosing to sing and learn the guitar for the straight-up rock n’roll role. The film also reunites Streep with her Sophie’s Choice co-star, Kline, who plays her ex-husband.

LEARNING TO DRIVE — director Isabel Coixet. Starring Patricia Clarkson, Grace Gummer, Ben Kingsley. When her husband decides to give adultery a spin, book editor Wendy (Clarkson) is forced to become self-sufficient for the first time in her life. Given advice by her jaded daughter Tasha (Gummer), Wendy sets upon a list of tasks in her quest for independence. The first, learning to drive. Wendy takes driving lessons from Darwan, a Sikh instructor with relationship troubles of his own. Fun Fact: If you think that Wendy’s daughter looks reminiscent, you’re right — Gummer is the middle daughter (and spitting image) of Meryl Streep.

AUGUST IRRATIONAL MAN — director Woody Allen. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Parker Posey, Emma Stone. In Woody Allen’s 45th feature film, we have a tormented, sad-sack philosophy professor Abe (Phoenix), who’s lost his mojo. He eases his existential crisis in the comely arms of Jill (Stone), a young student, all the while casting his mind around the idea of a murder, just hypothetically. So far, so Allen. Debuted at Cannes this year, Variety’s review headlined it “a darkly funny, intellectually rigorous campus comedy”.

RICKY AND THE FLASH — director Jonathan Demme. Starring Meryl Streep, Mamie Gummer, Kevin Kline, Audra McDonald, Rick Springfield. Ricki (Streep) is an aging musician who gave up her family for her dream of being a rock star. She returns home after her daughter (Gummer, Streep’s eldest daughter and like sister Grace, another look-a-like) is jilted, but it also means she must face the

SOUTHPAW — director Antoine Fuqua. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Naomie Harris, Rachel McAdams, Forest Whitaker. Written by Kurt Sutter, writer/creator/director of the recently concluded television series Sons of Anarchy, Southpaw is his first cinematic film. Boxer Billy (a ripped Gyllenhaal) has fought his way to the top, and at his family’s urging, announces his retirement. But his life falls apart soon afterward, with the death of his wife (McAdams), and the removal of his daughter. As you may expect with a work from Sutter, and with boxing as the film’s backbone, Southpaw is violent and unapologetically so. If you’re squeamish about flying fists and blood, this probably isn’t the film for you. — Caitlin McKenna All films listed will screen at Rialto Cinemas Newmarket during July and August

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the sound

Don’t Fight It ...

ou’ve caught me in the middle of a jag. Jags strike me quite often and they can be quite debilitating. They make you feel like you’re having an epiphany. One that you want to share with everybody, but when you do, you realise they’re very personal things and nobody else is on the same jag as you. They’re probably on their own jag, which you don’t give two tosses about, and that’s the way they probably feel about your jag. So what is a jag? It’s a very fine and expensive car to run, but it’s also defined as “a binge or period of overindulgence; a spree”. My jags, so far, don’t include drugs and alcohol, thank heavens. But I do get jags over music. Big ones. I had a real big one last year when David Bowie surprise-released his latest album. It reignited my love for the Thin White Duke and so, bit by bit, I ploughed my way through every single Bowie album, rediscovering lost songs. “Lady Grinning Soul” was a particularly fine re-discovery. Did you know Bowie sings the highest note he’s ever sung on that song? So my current jag sees me, at this moment, listening to The Front Lawn performing “Tomorrow Night”. Five minutes ago they were singing “Andy”. The Front Lawn is of course Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair, and for a while Jennifer Ward-Lealand. They were a music and theatre troupe that toured the world in the late ’80s. Their songs are notable for their observational nature, and the fact that they are inherently Kiwi. “Andy” name checks Takapuna Beach, while “Tomorrow Night” has just mentioned Oriental Bay. I’ve got onto this Don McGlashan jag because he’s just released his third — and so far best — solo album, Lucky Stars. It’s a fantastic work. Deeply personal songs, the first track is a letter of advice to his daughter. It has very little instrumentation, and his microphone is as dry as the Gobi Desert. And while that all takes some getting used to, it does make the quality of the songs shine through. I was intrigued to read that he has quit film and theatre work to concentrate on his songwriting. Don claims he’s never really done that before, and that he’s only just now beginning to get the hang of it. So that set me off on a McGlashan journey of rediscovery. I started where he did, with Blam Blam Blam’s “There Is No Depression In New Zealand”. Written in 1981 at the height of

the Springbok tour, it’s magnificent. It also crackles with inspired guitarwork from Mark Bell. And what a great name for a band. Next, I got into the Blam’s debut album from ’82, Luxury Length. It’s hard to explain the impact that album had at the time. Used to a string of Kiwi singles, suddenly here was a fully formed album of great quality. It contains the iconic “Don’t Fight It Marsha . . It’s Bigger Than Both Of Us” of course. But what a pleasure to hear “Learning To Like Ourselves Again” and “Battleship Grey” again. And then there’s “Call For Help,” with Ivan Zagni helping on guitars. I remember the black and white video of that song with a naked Don swimming in a river. Or do I? I just went to the net to check and couldn’t find that video anywhere. And then I lost half an hour as I watched the Blams playing live at Mainstreet in ’84. Jags! They’re a time-eater. Which brings me to the first time I saw Don play. It was 1981 at the University of Auckland cafe at an orientation gig. The ceiling was so low I saw a tall punk pogo so high he knocked himself out on the roof. To see Don McGlashan sing and play drums in a sweatbox was something I’ll never forget. Angular, yet muscular and propulsive. And then he would step out from the kit and play the euphonium. Fantastic. The Blams broke up just months after Luxury Length, after a road crash near Wanganui robbed bassist Tim Mahon’s index finger, but that freed Don up for so much. There was the experimental percussion group From Scratch, and their Len Lye inspired videos and then, of course, the mighty Muttonbirds. While “Anchor Me” and “Dominion Road” are rightly revered, my Muttonbird jag took me to lesser known songs like “Envy Of Angels”, the greatest song about civil engineering ever written. Then there is “Pulled Along By Love”. The greatest song about the underground ever written since the The Jam’s “Down In The Tube Station At Midnight”. From the first album there’s “Your Window”. “Come Around” should have been a massive hit. My jag also reminded me how much I love “Last Year’s Shoes” from 1999’s Rain, Steam and Speed. “Is this how it feels to find love?” sings a melancholic, wistful Don. Beautiful. So here’s the thing. Buy Don McGlashan’s Lucky Stars. And if he says he’s only truly now getting a grip on songwriting, then what comes next will be astounding. — Andrew Dickens

Photo of Don McGlashan courtesy of the artist

the hobson 46

the bookmark

A Shelf of Good Sports

PETER MONTGOMERY — The Voice of Yachting Bill Francis (Trio Books/ David Bateman) Montgomery is of that rare breed, a broadcaster who is better known than most of the sportsmen and women whose deeds he describes. As New Zealand has sailed the waves internationally, it has been the distinctive voice and style of Montgomery that has increased the public’s knowledge of sailing. In his own singular style, he gives his views on all our big names in sailing, and races in which we have competed — plus he ventures into other codes. SPEED KINGS — Four Extraordinary Adventurers Andy Bull (Penguin) Lake Placid, 1932. This is the story of a group of amateur adventurers who came together from the most diverse backgrounds to compete in the III Winter Olympic Games. International gadabouts and allnight revellers in this era of bootleggers, speakeasies and gamblers, these four daredevil bobsledders became heroes of

the course — and champions of courage and justice. “Speed,” Aldous Huxley wrote in that year, “provides the one genuinely modern pleasure”.

THE ART OF CENTURIES — Steve James (Random House) Since the dawn of time, the number 100 has possessed a magical entrancing quality. But in cricket, the century acquires an extra-special resonance. It is the ultimate reflection of the prowess of the batsman. With rich detail, the author takes you to the heart of cricket, and explains how the steady accumulation of runs can be a transformational experience. A beguiling insight into the trials, tribulations and triumphs of life as a batsman. THE UGLY GAME — The Qatari plot to buy the World Cup — Heidi Blake & Jonathan Calvert (Simon & Schuster) We are all now very aware of the scandals surrounding football’s governing body, FIFA. When the tiny desert state of Qatar won the rights to host the 2022 World

Cup, the decision was a shock. How had a nation with almost no footballing tradition, or infrastructure, a high terror risk and searing summer temperatures, beat more established contenders? This is the full, astonishing, story of what really went on, and the sickness at the heart of FIFA’s affairs. A gripping and shocking account that anyone who cares about the game (or any sports-loving person) must read.

GAME, SET AND MATCH — Secret Weapons of the World’s Top Tennis Players — Mark Hodgkinson (Allen & Unwin) Even if it is winter, what better way to improve your tennis — and gain a new appreciation for the sport — than with tips from the world’s greatest players and coaches. How can you resist such teasers as “How to embrace your superstitions” by Goran Ivanisevic, “How to stay fit all year” from Caroline Wozniacki, and the invaluable “How to disguise your serve” from Pete Sampras? — Gail Woodward

the anzacs

The Birnie Brothers In a series to mark the centenary of World War I, THE HOBSON is publishing each month research conducted by Remuera Heritage into the stories behind servicemen and women with connections to the suburb

he seven Birnie boys were born across 15 years to John and Agnes Birnie, of 11 O’Rorke Ave, Remuera. Today the street is known as Mauranui Ave, which runs off St Marks Rd. The boys’ service in WWI saw three of them die, three return home and two awarded medals of gallantry. Major John Birnie, the father of William, John, George, Robert, Charles, Arthur and Gordon, owned a bakery in Arch Hill. He had joined the army in 1899 as a volunteer officer, and held the Colonial and Auxiliary Forces and the NZ long service and efficiency medals. He was chief of staff of the National Reserve in 1916. The eldest Birnie lad, William, was born in 1883. A bridge builder for the Public Works Department, he was later on the staff of Messrs. Brown Bros. and Geddes, of Auckland. A keen footballer — he captained the City 2nd team — he enrolled in the Waikato Mounted Rifles, but in Egypt was transferred to a machine-gun section. Shellshocked at Gallipoli, he was invalided to England. Returning to Egypt, William joined the Seventh Battery NZ Field Artillery, with whom he saw action in France. He was wounded at the Somme in 1916, and took part in the Messines battle. Sergeant William Birnie was awarded the Military Medal for acts of gallantry in the field. He returned home in February 1919 and resumed his role as salesman with Brown Bros. and Geddes. John Birnie, born November 29, 1884, was a carpenter with the Farmer’s Auction Co, Hamilton, when he enlisted in August 1914. He served at Gallipoli, but in August 1915 was admitted to hospital in Alexandria and discharged for convalescence. He was granted leave without pay, but still liable for further service, which he saw in France as a Battery Quarter Sergeant Master. He returned to NZ on the Remuera in March 1918. George, born on February 2, 1887, worked for the Post and Telegraph department. George enlisted in June 1917, and on February 8, 1918, sailed away from his wife, Irene, and baby son, Robert, as a Second Lieutenant with 34th Reinforcements, Auckland Infantry Regiment, A Company. (Robert was in all likelihood named for George’s younger brother, who had been killed in action in 1916). George served in France, including at the advance on Bapaume. He saw out the war, returning to NZ in October 1919, and became part of the corps of the NZ Engineers in Post and Telegraph, with the rank of captain. George Birnie was postmaster at Helensville and Morrinsville until his retirement in 1941. Robert Birnie was born on 27 April, 1889. He was educated at Grafton School and was a member of the College Rifles Rugby Football Club. His occupation before enlistment was a labourer with Harrison & Gash, Coach Builders, of Khyber Pass. Tall and fair, he enlisted on 13 August, 1914, joining the NZ Field Artillery as a

gunner. Serving throughout the whole of the Gallipoli campaign as a sergeant, he was wounded twice. On one occasion a high explosive shell burst over his gun, killing one of his companions and slightly wounding him, but he continued on duty until evacuation from the peninsula. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry in the field at Gallipoli on 23 August, 1916. “On four occasions he has done fine work, serving his gun and repairing emplacements under heavy fire.” (London Gazette, July 27, 1916). He was also mentioned in despatches. Robert left Egypt for France in April 1916, with the newly established NZ Division. He was 27 when he was killed in action at the Somme on October 21, 1916. Robert is buried with 3745 Commonwealth servicemen in the AIF cemetery at Flers. Charles was born May 21, 1893. He was a motor mechanic employed by F. Parker, and a taxi proprietor. Like Robert, he was tall (185cm). He was enlisted in December 1914 with the 4th Reinforcements as a gunner, and departed in April 1915 for Egypt, where by the end of October, he had contracted enteric fever. Charles returned to NZ on the hospital ship Maheno and in late March 1916, was discharged as medically unfit. But he recovered to re-enlist, departing again in early 1917 with the 22nd Reinforcements E Company. By June he was seeing action on the Western Front. On July 31, he was seriously wounded at Flanders with head injuries. At the age of 24, Charles died of his wounds on August 26, 1917, and with his brother Robert, lies in French soil, buried at St Sever in Rouen. By 1895, the Birnie family appear to have left Auckland for a time. Son number six, Arthur, was born in the Coromandel on July 7, 1895. After leaving school he became a warehouseman with Hayman & Co in Auckland, and enlisted in March 1916 with the Auckland Mounted Rifles, 15th Reinforcements. Arthur arrived in Egypt in August, and became part of what was to be a tortuous advance north-east across the desert in the Palestine-Sinai campaign. Trooper Arthur Birnie was wounded in action, and died aged 21 near Jaffa in Palestine on November 14, 1917. He is buried in the Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel. The youngest Birnie, Gordon, was born in 1898 and was called up at the age of 19 in the ballot, conscription having started in October 1916 The family appealed — according to the Auckland Weekly News, John Birnie stated that his lad was anxious to go to the front, but his parents wished he remain until he came of military age (21 to 49). The family were congratulated by the board for “their fine family record of service for the Empire” and the case was adjourned sine die. Gordon did serve as a local driver in the A Battery in Auckland. — Jenny Haggit and Sue Cooper

Photo: Six of the Birnie men featured in The Auckland Weekly News, January 10, 1918. From left, Charles, John, Robert, William, Arthur and Gordon. Image from the Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries. the hobson 48

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