The Hobson April 18 by The Hobson

april 2018

a tribute to remuera's lost airmen of wwi local news, views & informed opinions

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The April Issue, No. 47

the editor’s letter

the pretty

10 the columnists

Winter is the time to do some decent beauty maintenance, says Justine Williams

the village Remuera’s Citizens Advice Bureau hangs in the balance, the Parnell cycleway shifts up a gear, Ngāti Whātua goes virtual, Poppies says farewell, and more

19 the councillor News from Councillor Desley Simpson (Ōrākei)

24 the politicians Local members David Seymour and Paul Goldsmith share their updates

the magpie This month, she’s shaking a tailfeather for Scandinavian-inspired design

28 the suburbanist Honey, I shrunk the house! Tommy Honey thinks smaller and smarter

29 the good neighbour Peter Ng has a self-sustaining food paradise in his Remuera backyard

40 the sound Um, not so fast. Andrew Dickens rethinks his love for Mt Smart now there’s a potential new concert venue in play

41 the district diary Events for April

30 the anzacs

42 the cryptic

Dreaming of seceding from Auckland Council? Hamish Firth is still with you

To mark Anzac Day, Remuera Heritage chair Sue Cooper recounts the stories of the WWI airmen who never returned home

26 the plan

the investment Sometimes, the big banks can be your investment friend, says Warren Couillault

Our puzzle, by Māyā. Hint: some answers are local

the counsellor Local resident and families therapist Dr Anna Martin launches a book to help families negotiate conflict

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Pictured: Flight Lieut Thomas Grey Culling DFC, RNAS (Ace). Image courtesy of the family. See The Anzacs, page 30

Retirement Living In The Heart Of Remuera

NG I L L

! W NO

So much to look forward to at Rawhiti Estate

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F issue 47, april 2018 Editor & Publisher Kirsty Cameron editor@thehobson.co.nz Art Direction & Production Stephen Penny design@thehobson.co.nz News Editor Mary Fitzgerald maryfitzgerald.thehobson@gmail.com Writers This Issue Kirsty Cameron, Sue Cooper, Mary Fitzgerald, Staton Whaley, Justine Williams

or the past month The Hobson’s small team has been bolstered by two US interns. Part of a scheme that brings students — most are in their first year of university — to Australasia for work experience, they are assigned to various companies in the fields of media, marketing or public relations. Kendall Blackburn hails from Seattle, so she wasn’t fazed by Auckland’s rain. Staton Whaley is from coastal Maryland and a surfer, so he liked the beaches, but both struggled with the lack of airconditioning in our hot, humid summer. They both contributed handsomely to the magazine. Kendall’s story on walking the historic city foreshore path featured in our March issue, and back at the office, she overhauled and updated our issue database — paging through four years of back issues — which is now a thingof beauty and a joy to use. Staton also contributed to the database, and interviewed local gem Peter Ng about his The Good Life-style edible backyard, and took the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei app for a whirl. Both stories are in this issue, along with photos from another intern who joined in, photographer Max Anderson. To all three, we say haere ra and thank you so much — it was fun and I’m sorry about the weather, but I hope discovering Pic’s peanut butter on Vogel’s toast made up for some of it.

Sub-editor Fiona Wilson Columnists Sandy Burgham, Warren Couillault, Andrew Dickens, Hamish Firth, Paul Goldsmith, Tommy Honey, Māyā, David Seymour, Desley Simpson

Kirsty Cameron editor@thehobson.co.nz 0275 326 424 Facebook: The Hobson magazine Instagram: TheHobson

Photographers Max Anderson, Mary Fitzgerald, Stephen Penny Cover Instructor Bob Going starting a Walsh flying boat “C” at Kohimarama, 1917/18. Photo by Anton Bernsten. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington. See The Anzacs, page 30 THE HOBSON is published 10 times a year by The Hobson Limited, PO Box 37490 Parnell, Auckland 1151. www.thehobson.co.nz F: TheHobsonMagazine I: @TheHobson Ideas, suggestions, advertising inquiries welcome. editor@thehobson.co.nz Are you receiving The Hobson Weekly? If you haven’t signed up for our

THE HOBSON is Remuera, Parnell and Ōrākei’s community magazine. We deliver into letterboxes in these neighbourhoods, and copies are also at local libraries, cafes, and at businesses including the Vicky Ave and White Heron dairies, and Paper Plus Parnell. For more about us, see TheHobsonMagazine on Facebook.

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. The Hobson Ltd is a member of the Magazine Publishers Association This publication uses environmentally responsible papers

e-weekly, you’re missing news about local events, special promotions and great giveaways. See page 25 for details or visit our Waitematā ward Facebook page. councillor Mike Lee is missing from this issue due to personal circumstances. He’ll be back in our May edition.

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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.playclc.com Remuera resident Warren Couillault (The Investment) is an executive director and the major shareholder of Hobson Wealth Partners, a private wealth advisory group. He is a shareholder and director of Generate Investment Management Ltd; and manager of a registered Kiwisaver scheme. Andrew Dickens (The Sound) is the host of the afternoon show on Newstalk ZB. For 13 years he was the breakfast host on Classic Hits. 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. www.mthobsonproperties.co.nz Mary Fitzgerald is The Hobsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s News Editor. A Mainlander who transplanted to Remuera 13 years ago, she is passionate about hearing and telling our stories. Urban design critic Tommy Honey (The Suburbanist) is a former architect. The Remuera resident is a regular guest on RNZ National, discussing the built environment. Judi Paape (The Teacher) is a parent, grandparent and highly-experienced teacher and junior school principal. A Parnell resident, her column appears bi-monthly. Contributing writer Wayne Thompson is a former The New Zealand Herald journalist, covering Auckland news. He has been a resident of Parnell for 33 years. Contributing editor Justine Williams is an interiors stylist, writer and fashion editor. The Remuera resident has been the editor of Simply You and Simply You Living.

the hobson 10

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the village

Works underway to widen the driveway access from the rear property to Vicky Ave. Photo: Mary Fitzgerald

Town & Around CITIZENS ADVISE CONCERN The future of the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) at 4 Victoria Ave, Remuera, continues to be cloudy as both Auckland Council and the Ōrākei Local Board consider its future in the suburb. A key issue is that the CAB building — a stucco bungalow — is in poor condition, requiring investment if retained as a Council asset. The land and building is owned by Auckland Council, and has been home to the Remuera CAB for 30 of its 40 years in the suburb. The CAB, located in the bungalow with the Plunket nurse and a Justice of the Peace service, neighbours to its rear a privatelyowned property, 356 Remuera Rd. With only a narrow driveway from Remuera Rd, the back property has right-of-way access rights onto Victoria Ave, through the CAB site. Since September 2016, Panuku Development Auckland, in association with the Ōrākei Local Board, has been working on feasibility assessments for the use of 4 Victoria Ave, considering three options. To take no action is an option, retaining the land, with no building reinvestment — or, retain the status quo. A partnership development, whereby the CAB could occupy space as a tenant in a developer’s new building is another option. The third option

is for Council to retain the asset and redevelop it as a multi-level building, accommodating the social service providers, and space available for rent, thus generating some income on its investment. Remuera Residents’ Association chair Iain Valentine says there has been inadequate communication and no formal consultation about the building’s future from the Ōrākei Local Board, and his feeling is that a deal has already been done, with a potential sale of the high value property. He says there has been little to no communication from the local board concerning the recent right-of-way driveway widening work at 4 Vicky Ave, or about the board’s investigations into finding a new Remuera location for the CAB. Citizens Advice Bureau Auckland central manager, Simon Nimmo, says the Ōrākei Local Board recently proposed St Luke’s Community Hall on Remuera Rd, near Newmarket, as a CAB site relocation option. “The St Luke’s location is attractive, however CAB is not a faithbased operation, so the site is not right, and the configuration is also unsuitable,” says Nimmo. “We have declined this offer.” Valentine says to have the social service “relocated out of Remuera village is no way to serve our community”. Tess Porter, manager of the Remuera CAB, says the idea of not having a local CAB service is disturbing. “People, whether they are walking through our door, or telephoning us from home, seek our local knowledge and understanding in order to sort out their issues most effectively,” says Porter. Ōrākei Local Board chair Colin Davis says no decision has been made at board level regarding any relocation. “We are working with [the CAB] to understand and scope their specific requirements should they need to or want to move to a more fit-

the hobson 12

for-purpose facility. “There are a lot of factors to consider to ensure that the most appropriate solution is found at the least cost to our ratepayers,” he says. “The CAB is an important community organisation and the board fully supports the objectives and long term success of the organisation.” If the CAB does relocate from Remuera, the nearest branches would be the central city (Central Library) and Glen Innes. - Mary Fitzgerald p For more on the CAB and Remuera, see our story, “40 Years of Community Service” in the July/August 2017 issue https://issuu.com/thehobson/docs/the_hobson_july-aug_17

PARNELL CYCLEWAY CRANKS UP A GEAR At the urging of a community reference group set up to consult with Auckland Transport (AT) on its proposed Parnell cycleway, AT is considering new options to make the St Stephens Ave/Gladstone Rd cycle route a better facility than what was originally mooted. In a letter to the community group from David Nelson, AT’s group manager, major projects, Nelson confirms AT has not reached a conclusion on the preferred design option for the Parnell cycle route. In his letter, he says AT is “looking at new options to provide a higher quality urban design outcome for the project”. Auckland Council’s Design Office has been brought in as part of the design investigation process, and the Waitematā Local Board will also participate. In the letter, Nelson says the process will ensure “the final Parnell Cycle Route design has good community support”. Since announcing the project in late 2016, there has been strong community reaction to the impact of the removal of 95 car parks for the cycleway, safety aspects around Parnell District School and access to the neighbourhood Gladstone Rd shops. In the initial public consultation period — right at Christmas, 2016 — feedback came from a wide range of groups, including the Holy Trinity Cathedral, which as the venue for large events, cited the reduction of street parking as concerning. “Typically, it is not practical to arrive at a school prize-giving, concert, funeral or wedding by bicyle,” noted the then-Dean, Jo Kelly-Moore. Since the community reference group was established, a series of workshops has been held with AT, with the community group pushing for better design. “We asked AT for creative, new solutions to several of the aspects we raised as concerns,” says Luke Niue, chair of the Parnell Community Committee and a member of the reference group. “The cycleway has to cater for the different needs of the residential, educational, social and commercial communities that have long co-existed along Gladstone Rd. Safety and amenity are imperatives that can’t be compromised.” AT will host a fourth workshop with the reference group to present the new design options, expected to be in the next few months. As part of works around the cycle route, several intersections will also be upgraded, including Gladstone Rd and The Strand, which will have signal lights installed. — Kirsty Cameron p

SAINTS DECISION TO COME The Saint Kentigern Trust Board will on May 10 confirm the future direction of its masterplan, as it relates to proposed changes to its Shore and Ranui Rd campuses. Late last year, Saint Kentigern

the village

announced it proposed to close its Remuera girls’ school on its current Ranui Rd site and relocate the school to the Saint Kentigern Boys’ School on Shore Rd. The proposal, presented by the Saint Kentigern senior leadership team as part of its long-term masterplan, was met with surprise and some push-back from the school community. In response, a consultation process around the masterplan was established. “Having begun this process to listen to our community more closely, the Trust Board, principals and management team are pleased with the range of responses from across the whole of the Saint Kentigern community,” Trust Board chair Dr John Kernohan said in a statement early last month. “To date we have had over 200 comments and replies via the portal established on the website and other direct communication and emails. “A key theme in the comments has centred on the desire to retain single-gender education at the primary level. This is one of the core commitments made by the Trust Board and will not change whatever final decision it makes on the proposed master plan. “Other common themes are a desire to protect the current benefits and ethos of both the Boys’ and Girls’ schools along with concerns about traffic and construction disruption”. p

be vacated by another long-standing independent bookstore, Readaway. “I know Howick isn’t exactly next door, but we can guarantee it will be well worth a visit,” says Moores, who plans to recreate the Poppies “reading room” feel in the new space. For people holding Poppies gift vouchers and who can’t get to Howick, Moores has arranged with Paper Plus in both Remuera and Meadowbank, and Arcadia Books in Newmarket, to accept current vouchers. p

ST CUTH'S SEES RED

THE END FOR POPPIES REMUERA As this issue of The Hobson arrives in letterboxes, Poppies Bookstore will have closed its doors after almost 40 years’ presence in Remuera. Owned by business partners Tara Jahn-Werner and Tony Moores, the end of their lease, the disruption of mooted refurbishment works in both the Village Green and at the Clonbern Rd carpark, plus Jahn-Werner’s retirement at Christmas, led to Moores deciding to call it a day in Remuera. “This has not been an easy, or hasty decision,” Moores told The Hobson. “The thought of losing touch with our many, many wonderful customers is heart-breaking.” But while Remuera may have lost its favourite — only — boutique bookery, Howick has gained one. Mid-month, Moores will open Poppies again in Picton St, Howick, taking over the space to

An initiative of head girl Tiana Willis-Baker, (centre, with fellow students Michaela Peters, left, and Johanna Setefano) saw St

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GUIDING, GROWING, AND P R O T E C T I N G YO U R W E A LT H

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Cuthbert’s College girls trade their Black Watch tartan for Tongan red last month. The special mufti day raised $2626 for Cyclone Gita-devasted Acts Community School in Nuku’alofa, where WillisBaker’s uncle is a teacher. p

AROUND THE WARD: ŌRĀKEI The Ōrākei Local Board has voted to establish an annual publicspeaking prize for secondary school senior students. The Ōrākei Local Board ANZAC Youth Speech Prize will commence next year, and be open to Y12 and 13 students who live within the ward. The winner of the competition will deliver their speech at a local ANZAC Day commemorative service.

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The ever-popular Little Rangitoto Reserve flying fox is back in action after being out of commission since January. A Parks and Reserves contractor spokesperson confirmed a stolen vehicle was driven into the reserve late at night in mid-January, abandoned under the flying fox and set alight. The fire brigade quelled the blaze and the following day, the fire-damaged flying fox was taken down for repair work. “We've had a lot of enquiries from residents wanting to know when the flying fox would be up and running again. It was great to get the thumbs up on it being fixed and flying again," says Kit Parkinson, Ōrākei Local Board member and lead for parks and reserves.

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Philip Oldham M 021 921 031 philip.oldham@uprealestate.co.nz Visitors to Remuera’s Wilson’s Beach, located at the bottom of Victoria Ave, can again enjoy a clean beach after a group of 15 local residents, led by Bruce Renshaw, cleared the beach of rubbish left

LICENSED AGENT REAA 2008

the village

behind by beachgoers, and seaweed and logs that high tides and recent storms had brought to shore. The beach is a local favourite for swimming and picnicking since it was re-sanded in 2014. One of the clean-up coordinators, Allison Fisher, says the annual beach clean-ups have been going for many years. “They have been happening since the mangroves were removed years ago – part of our annual clean-up work is to make sure that the mangroves don’t grow back.”

function, extending the hours that the boardwalk can be used. The widening is the third stage of four in the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path development – Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai (the path of land and sea). When finished, it will be a 7km link providing walkers and cyclists with a pathway connection from the east to the city centre. Ōrākei Local Board is in favour of providing and partially funding a new shared path link, to run from Gowing Dr in Meadowbank to the Glen Innes to Tamaki Dr Shared Path, and across to Kohimarama and Mission Bay. The board says the link will ease local traffic congestion, and offer a great on-foot and onbike option for more than 300 students, with an easier and safer alternative route to and from school. — reporting and photos by Mary Fitzgerald p

AROUND THE WARD: WAITEMATĀ

Work to widen the boardwalk around Ōrākei Basin to accommodate cyclists and walkers is making progress and is expected to be completed mid-year. The boardwalk is being widened to 4.5m in width, to allow for all users. The width of the existing boardwalk has been temporarily reduced to make way for the construction, but is still open. In the final stages, a slip-resistant surface will be applied to make walking and cycling in wet weather safe, and LED lighting on the wooden handrail along its length will add a visual and practical

The residential Permit Parking Zone rolled out in Parnell in early December. Designed to stop all-day parking by commuters parking in Parnell streets, and bussing or walking to the city, a ripple effect has seen all-day parking shift to streets outside the residents’-only zone. In a letter to AT’s group manager of parking and compliance, Parnell Community Committee chair Luke Niue says the migration of commuter parking to outside of the zoned streets is now affecting facilities including Judges Bay, the Parnell Baths and the Cathedral. Particularly feeling the impact of increased commuter parking is Parnell District School — lower St Stephens Ave is now full of parked cars from 8am. “AT’s follow-up assessment to the roll-out of the parking scheme has been almost non-existent,” says Niue. “They haven’t acknowledged the ripple problem, and when they did do a survey of parking in St Stephens Ave, it was in January, before school was back. “I’ve met with Parnell’s principal and concerned residents, and we’ve requested an urgent meeting with AT to make them fully aware of the issues, and to activate an urgent extension of the zone.” p

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A NEW WAY TO VIEW HISTORY To ease tourism pressure, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has launched an augmented reality app that gives users a guided tour, but without a flesh-and-blood guide. Auckland app developers M Theory have worked with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to create the “Ahi Kā” app, a simple, sustainable, informative medium to view the iwi’s land at Bastion Point, while also absorbing the area’s historical context. The history-rich attraction receives approximately 500,000 annual visitors, both regular walkers following paths from the nearby neighbourhoods, and one-time visitors, largely coming by buses shuttling tourists from docked cruise ships. Presently, up to nine busloads of people a day take a 90-minute, guided walking tour, or wander on, or off, the walking path through the lush gardens of the Savage Memorial (pictured right), take in the view

of the Waitematā Harbour and its islands, and look to the trees for the newly reintroduced birds of Bastion Pt. The app serves as a tour guide of sorts of this section, making the surrounding scenery more meaningful. After the free app is downloaded, the tour begins at the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei visitor centre. One must first calibrate the user device — either a personal smart phone, or a tablet — by waving it in a figure eight pattern. Then, just like using a smartphone as a GPS, a small compass at the bottom of the screen leads the user through the path. Each stop offers different information, ranging from lessons on the geography of surrounding islands to three-dimensional renderings of the iwi’s waka and buildings. Along with each of these comes a picture with an informative caption about a bird local to Bastion Pt as well as historical photographs of each location in comparison to modern pictures of the area. The app uses sound,

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the hobson 17

the village so on a crowded or windy day, headphones or ear buds are recommended. The total time of the virtual tour is 30 minutes. The aim of the AR (augmented reality) experience is to give visitors and locals alike an easy, worthwhile time on the shorter tour, while creating revenue towards maintaining the attractions. M Theory developer Sam Ramlu says he enjoyed the brief to bring stories to life, and “providing something that enhances tourism and adds value to the place without adding anything physical.” Ngāti Whātūa business development partner Rebecca Sullivan, who has been working with marketing the new app, says its early days to see a boost in tours, but has noticed new users each day, including locals. The next stage in the app’s ongoing development will be a longer tour. — Staton Whaley p Photos by Max Anderson. The Auckland Virtual Tours Ahi Kā app is available via the App Store and Google Play

FROM THE MAUNGA TO THE SEA We love our maunga at The Hobson — our April cover, a section of Mark Wooller’s Nature of Place, depicted Ōhinerau Mt Hobson and Te Kopuke Mt St John. So we were intrigued by a new exhibition that celebrates our volcanic cones and also brings in another element we love — the surf. The exhibition, “Salt and Light” showcases the work of Auckland landscape artists Sara Langdon — the light — and Matt Payne’s evocative seascapes. Initially trained as a photographer, Langdon brings a photographer’s focus to landscape realism. “My work isn’t just a replication of the landscape, but a response to the beauty I see there,” she says. Of the maunga, “People often have an affinity with a particular mountain, whether from childhood memories or their current stomping ground. I love hearing the stories of people’s attachment to the different mountains.” p Salt and Light opens April 10 at the Parnell Gallery, 263 Parnell Rd, until April 30

Top: Tawharanui Water, acrylic on canvas, 1400 x 1000mm, by Matt Payne. Below, The Wonder of Light: North Head, acrylic on board, 800 x 800mm, by Sara Langdon; both at Parnell Gallery

Meet Your Reps

irst elected to the Ōrākei Local Board in 2010, Remuera resident Troy Churton has worked as a lawyer and senior advisor to government departments. Now, he is the national manager for retirement villages at the Commission for Financial Capability. Prior to the Super City, Churton was a chair of the Hobson Community Board. He spoke to Mary Fitzgerald.

Why did you stand for this position? I wanted to influence how local boards perform under the unitary council system. I believe we still have a lot of efficiency to achieve. What board portfolios are you responsible for? I am the lead in the planning and regulatory portfolio, covering by laws, planning and resource consent, property matters, and library facilities. I provide input on resource management applications, such as land use consents, and I am engaged in various subcommittees. Since being elected, what do you consider to be the top two things you have achieved? Instigating the tree protection fund in this term is one of my achievements. Another is in holding planners to account on how they uphold the provisions of the Unitary Plan. There needs to be a sea-change in the way developers make applications, so that they design things to meet the plan, not infringe it. What top three things do you intend to achieve in the time remaining in your role, and why are they important to you? I will stand in the next term, to pursue a walkway across the south side of the railway tracks that go through the middle of Hobson Bay, from Orakei Rd to Tamaki Dr. This has the support of the majority of the board. As the person who was responsible for instigating the Ōrākei Basin walkway, I know how well utilised this will be. Number two — the board’s primary objective is to get Gowing Dr connected to the Glen Innes to Tamaki Dr shared pathway. It’s critical for the most effective access for the most people living nearby. Thirdly, I want to make sure there is a redevelopment option for Liston Park in Ellerslie. It’s very important to have quality facilities when land availability is dwindling. We need to support sports in our area by ensuring there are adequate parks and sporting facilities. Tell us something about yourself that will surprise your community. I still play competitive soccer for the over-40s. I am the skipper and manager of the Eastern Suburbs Hoppers. If you were PM, what would you do to improve Auckland? I would introduce congestion charges and tolling on arterial routes to bring about change on our roads. Also, I’d attempt to influence central government to incentivise regional economic development, to ease what Auckland can be expected to cope with. Tell us a little about your family. My wife, Janet, is one of Auckland’s top occupational therapists. Our 20-year-old daughter, Ella, is studying at Victoria. Louis and George, 17-year-old twins, are at Auckland Grammar School. p

the councillor

DESLEY SIMPSON

’ve spent the last month or so speaking to the residents and ratepayers of Auckland, seeking their feedback and views about Council’s proposed 10-year budget. A common question I’ve been asked while I do this, is what confidence can Aucklanders have that the high rates they already pay are spent well by Council, and deliver value for money? For the first time since Auckland Council was formed, the mayor and councillors have requested and instigated a set of in-depth reviews of Council’s services, to ensure that they are being done in a way that delivers value for money for Aucklanders. I know one would think this would happen automatically, but sadly to date, this work had not been done. Not only does this review deliver on my promise to the residents and ratepayers of Ōrākei to work hard to deliver value for money, it also meets specific requirements of the Local Government Act (Section 17A). In 2014 a new section was added to the Act, requiring all local authorities nationwide to review their services at least every six years, so that they ensure the services meet the needs of their communities and are cost effective in doing so. Auckland has led the response to this legislation as the first to conduct reviews. Early indications are that this will deliver hundreds of millions in savings, without compromising the services needed. The review focuses on 32 areas of Council services, using empirical performance information to benchmark performance against the world’s best, and to make recommendations about how to bridge the gap from where we currently are, to best practice. To be fair, Council’s current state has come through the reviews as being reasonably good in most aspects. But, trust me, there is most definitely room for improvement and the recommendations are adding up to be very meaningful. As one example, the review of Council’s water services has

recommended that with some increased coordination between Watercare’s functions and our stormwater functions, Council could deliver $300m in savings over 10 years through joint planning, procurement and integrated operational practices. I do think finally we are on the right track. Debt is another issue that I hear concerns about. Council’s debt figures are, without a doubt, eye-wateringly large – $8.2b now and projected to rise to $14b by 2028. PWC were asked to provide an independent opinion on Council’s debt-raising strategy. I quote from their written opinion presented to our Finance and Performance Committee in February: “We believe Council’s funding strategy and use of offshore debt markets is a consistent, prudent and efficient means of satisfying the above underlying statutory objectives to future proof Council’s ability to access long term funding and in ensuring liquidity capacity.” So, whilst I appreciate that these numbers can be mind-boggling initially, they do in fact represent prudent financial practice. One also needs to understand that Council only funds capital projects through debt, and this means that the cost can be paid off over the lifetime of the asset. This helps to manage the cost of infrastructure across the generations that will benefit from it. Credit rating agency Standard & Poors consistently gives Auckland Council an AA rating. This is very good, second only to central government and higher than any other council in NZ. When calculating the rating, they also look at Auckland Council’s ability to service their debt. This means that they focus on the ratio between the revenue that Council receives, and its debt level. We are very aware of this as we are creeping up towards our limit. It’s important to ensure that we do not get too close, as that would potentially downgrade our rating. A downgrade is a lose-lose situation for Council, as the debt interest payments would increase significantly. Auckland is gaining nearly 50,000 people each year. On top of that, thanks to the Unitary Plan, we are adding new greenfield urban developments 1.5 times the size of Hamilton over the next 30 years. Those figures challenge us to deliver on new infrastructure above and below the ground to meet that need, as well as servicing that which we currently have. It’s not an easy job, but I continue to commit myself in delivering my best for Auckland communities and ratepayers. Desley Simpson is the Councillor for Auckland representing the Ōrākei ward

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Poppies has moved After almost 40 years, Poppies Bookstore has farewelled Remuera. Our new location from mid-April will be 83 Picton St, Howick. Only a 25-minute off-peak drive from Remuera, there’s plenty of free parking, a fantastic mix of interesting shops, fabulous cafes, cinema, a bustling Saturday market — there’s lot of good reasons to come and visit us there! Poppies Book Card loyalty credits will transfer to the new location. Thank you to all our wonderful, loyal customers who’ve been part of the Poppies Remuera story. We hope we’ll see you in Howick, very soon. Poppies Howick, 83 Picton St. Ph (09) 524 4001 www.poppiesbooks.co.nz

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the politicians

DAVID SEYMOUR

PAUL GOLDSMITH

hen John Key asked me to be a minister in his Government I turned him down, figuring I could achieve just as much in education and regulatory reform as an under-secretary (a kind of mini-minister position, sans limo, pay rise and title). People said this was either martyrdom or madness, but ministers cannot access one of the greatest privileges of a parliamentarian; the right to submit a Private Members’ Bill for debate in Parliament. I’ve used this privilege to put the assisted dying, or euthanasia, issue on Parliament’s agenda. Just as a refresher, the End of Life Choice Bill would allow a person who meets ALL of the following conditions to access assisted dying. They must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, over 18, of sound mind, in an advanced state of irreversible decline in capability and either; have a terminal illness with a prognosis of less than six months to live, or suffer a grievous and irremediable condition. The person must believe that they are suffering intolerably, and the suffering cannot be alleviated in any other way. They must initiate the process, and they can stop it at any point. The then-Auditor General, Chris Finlayson, carried out his legal duty to assess the bill against the Bill of Rights Act (BoRA). He said that the bill is consistent with BoRA because it has strong safeguards for people seeking to access assisted dying, and even argued it may violate human rights by being too restrictive. Parliament debated the bill in December and MPs largely agreed, voting 7644 for it to proceed to Select Committee. The Committee sought submissions with a deadline of March 6, and appears to have received 15-20,000 submissions. It will now hear evidence from submitters and deliberate on possible improvements to the bill. It may travel to jurisdictions where similiar legislation has passed, to study the effects of legalisation. After it passes through the Select Committee process, the bill will be returned to Parliament where MPs will vote on it again. I suspect the next vote will be closer. MPs are more likely to change from supporting at first reading to opposing at second reading, than the other way around. It is easier to say “well, I sent it to select committee, it’s had an airing, now I’m opposed,” than to say “I was wrong to oppose this bill getting this far but will now support it to go further”. You need optimism in politics though, and I hope that my fellow Hobson columnist and MP Paul Goldsmith will change his vote to support choice. In any case, it is important that the 75 per cent of New Zealanders who support this bill keep the pressure on all MPs to represent their views. If the bill passes the third reading, it will enter the Committee of the Whole House stage, where MPs can make changes just as the Select Committee can. I have had Epsom electorate residents approach me and make suggestions that I think would be quite useful for improving the bill. There is a possibility that the final confirmation of the bill will be by referendum. This is the price of New Zealand First’s support of the bill. I have agreed to support a referendum clause but I am not sure whether there will be enough support from other MPs to add such a clause. The parliamentary process is a fickle one, it’s difficult to predict outcomes or even the timing of them. However, based on the strength of the first vote, there is a reasonable chance that this bill will pass and, sometime next year, those people suffering at the end of their life will have a choice that allows them to choose how they go and when they go, with dignity and safeguarded under the rule of law. David Seymour is the MP for Epsom.

ll around the world we see the growth of megacities as powerhouses of economies and places where more and more people want to live. New Zealand’s success depends on Auckland growing and expanding. In recent years, Auckland has been making good progress. And with it, has followed the twin frustrations of traffic congestion and rising housing costs. After decades of underinvestment, the previous National government worked hard and fast on both roads and public transport. The rail network in our neighbourhood has been transformed in recent times with the electrification of the network, new or revamped stations in Newmarket, Ōrākei and Parnell, and it will go further with the CBD rail loop. Aucklanders are getting the message, using the trains, as well as the buses, and we’re making great progress. That’s why it’s so frustrating to see public confidence in the system being undermined by industrial action. In the past four months there have been four sets of train strikes in Auckland and Wellington. During the previous nine years under National governments there were zero. This is not coincidental. The new Labour government, heavily supported by the unions, has given the green light to industrial chaos. One of the new government’s stated goals is to ‘strengthen the role of collective bargaining in the workplace’. They have new legislation in the House specifically designed to strengthen the role of unions. Under this legislation, unions can require businesses to start bargaining at any time they like and they can force businesses to take part in multi-employer discussions. And once bargaining starts, businesses may not leave the table until a deal is done. It’s a very strange idea. A bit like saying, "I'm going to buy your house, and guess what? You have to keep negotiating with me until I'm happy with the price”. So, my concern is that we risk making this colossal investment in public transport, which we desperately need to keep a growing and thriving city moving, but having the benefits undermined by industrial uncertainty. Our industrial relations framework had been working very well – the economy was producing jobs aplenty and rising incomes; the new government needs to think carefully before taking us back to earlier periods of industrial relations discord. We’ll be trying to moderate their proposals, so hopefully we can rely on the trains to turn up. Paul Goldsmith is a National list MP, based in Epsom.

the hobson 24

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the plan

You Just Wouldn't Read About It!

hen I was young and virile, I dreamed of hosting my own TV show called Bloody Red Tape. A Fair Go-style programme which set out to hold councils to account and expose the lack of accountability and delivery. That was when I dreamed in colour, and life was less cluttered. Hanging on to this dream, I have only just let go of the domain name, www.bloodyredtape.co.nz, and the only thread remaining of past delusions of grandeur is that I call my client newsletter after the moniker. Dreams and ambition crushed, but life goes on. After my December issue rant, I received what felt like fan mail from near and far. People agreed with me wholeheartedly as to Auckland Council’s ongoing incompetence. Some even stopped me in the street and wanted to support the breakaway from Council idea. To further reinforce the point, a surveyor who we often work with forwarded me an email she had received from Council, regarding a subdivision consent that needed signing off. It is recounted below in all its glory, unaltered except to remove Council officer names. The writer has English as a first and only language. Your mission is to comprehend what is what, in amongst the grammar and spelling errors. Then to wonder what you need to get a job at Council. Then ponder as to decision making, if it is reflected in this communication: “I have been reviewing open Recourse consent on the councils system. Our recourse show that there are two outstanding issues that need address in order to complete and close the resource consent. Evadance of Condishion 14 having been meat need to be submitted And A copy of the new site coverage plan You had been declining with [name], she has now left council and I will take the case forward. The last e-mail recourse on file is listed below. Can you please provide me with an update and then I can progress the content to be closed”. What is a Recourse Consent when looking for recourse so the content can be close? Let’s have a couple more swigs on the bottle, just before I ask for “Evadance of Condishion 14”. Do you laugh or cry at this point? No wonder I now only dream in black and white. Well, the bloody red tape thread continues. Auckland Transport — a CCO, or Council Controlled Organisation — has started consultation on the further introduction of more bus lanes between Parnell and Newmarket. On the face of it, it’s a good idea, as it will allow buses and cyclists freer access along this busy arterial. Except it is not consultation. The bus ways have already been decided, and this consultation exercise is window dressing. How do I know? Well, AT has already moved all the lamp posts along the proposed bus ways. “Who cares?” you might say, and I tend to agree, but do not take people on a “good faith” consultation exercise if you have already let the contract to do the works. The story continues, and of course the devil is in the detail.

Our office is located on the proposed bus way route. We will lose a few on-street carparks for the various time periods, but we gain the use of better bus services. Our neighbours will now have the inconvenience of a relocated bus stop over their vehicle access, and a bus shelter in front of their business, which will often have 10-plus people waiting for a bus, possibly causing a traffic safety hazard. So, we ask to meet with AT to have a chat. Who would you expect AT to send to the meeting? Perhaps a traffic engineer, and an admin person to take notes? No. AT sent someone from a private public relations company, and another person from a private consultancy. A number of questions were put to the consultant, including the following, with the answers. Q: You have stated that one of the reasons for moving the bus stop was that the buses block the traffic lights to the people coming up Ayr St? A: Yes. Q: We drive up Ayr St and buses have never blocked our line of sight to the traffic lights, how did you come to this conclusion? A: It seemed to block when I looked at the map, but I concede you are right, the bus does not block the lights. Q: You are moving the bus stop over a vehicle crossing, this goes against Council standards and the site has been rezoned Mixed Use, which allows for high density. A: I did not know that the sites zones had changed and you can always apply to put a crossing through a bus stop [Note – you can apply and it will be declined]. Q: You have stated that the existing bus stop creates congestion and is dangerous. What congestion, and have there been any logged accidents? A: Cars need to move out of the lane to get around a bus, and there have been no recorded accidents. Q: But no congestion? A: No. Q: You are moving the bus stop closer to the next one, which is only 120m away. Surely putting one in the middle and deleting one of the stops would be more beneficial? A: We have spoken to Operations and they want both of them. At various points, the PR person would come in with something, but you know why she is there — so she can have a prepared rebuttal to overcome the objections, regardless of the facts, or the poorly thought-out explanations. So, as ratepayers, you have paid for a person who did not do a proper site visit and looked at things on a map, and a PR firm to provide consultation on something that has already been decided upon. And why bother having consultation if you are always right? As an avid reader of The Hobson tells me, “AT is a CCO all right, but not a Council Controlled Organisation as required by law, but a Council Controlling Organisation” . If you didn’t laugh, you would cry. — Hamish Firth

the hobson 26

the investment

Nice Banks

ebruary’s market jitters were a short-term reminder of what effect a shift in sentiment — even though it might be only brief — can have on market volatility, and subsequently, asset prices. For many of us in the broader financial services industry, this sell-off and market correction was a timely adjustment for a market that has run “hot” in the past 12 months (if not longer). But the financial world carries on during periods of market volatility and we must keep assessing things through a pragmatic lens, and not let short-term happenings prove too much of a distraction. In all the excitement in February, the sixmonth, or first half financial result, for the Commonwealth Bank of Australia may have been overlooked. Often, when I read references to the big four Australian banks in a domestic context, it is one of offshore raiders (namely our Australian counterparts) generating excessive profits and then subsequently taking these said profits back home, while at the same time, exploiting their New Zealand subsidiary businesses and the unsuspecting wider NZ public. Although there is an element of this sentiment that is easy to latch onto (note the ongoing Royal Commission in Australia seemingly supports some of this thought), and ignoring any “big brother, little brother” bias, the unwritten story in my view is both the ability for we New Zealanders to participate in some of these profits, as well as the key role the major banks play in the overall efficiency of our economy. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia announced net profit after tax of A$4.7 billion for the six months ended December 2017. The inevitable and natural debate over the quantum of this profit (as well as the overall amount generated by the big fours) is for another time. What is important to understand is that approximately 80 per cent of these profits go straight back to shareholders, in the form of dividends. This percentage is calculated by looking at the dividend pay-out ratio across the Australian banks, with the dividend pay-out ratio being the sum of the dividends paid divided by the sum of the cash

SARA LANGDON

earnings. You may be thinking that share or equity ownership is only for the domain of the institutional investor. However, it is important to remember that thousands of New Zealanders will own Australian bank shares, if not directly, then through their Kiwisaver accounts. Many Kiwisaver funds use the Australian banks as a secure and reliable investment. Profits go to “Mum and Dad” investors who for decades have been able to rely on Australian banks as a secure investment with good returns. Retail investors are also gaining access, through the advent of passive investing in exchange traded funds (ETFs), which in a lot of cases, replicate a market index that will have a good chunk of bank stocks. For example, if we look at the main index of the Australian Stock Exchange, the ASX200, the index weighting of the financials (mainly banks) is currently sitting at approximately 33 per cent. I wrote in an earlier article that the Reserve Bank of New Zealand imposing higher capital requirements for the banks had the potential to hamper their ability to provide capital for businesses to fund economic growth. If we look at the residential housing market, the tightening in LVR restrictions has arguably coincided with a cooling in prices and activity. In other words, when the availability of credit becomes more difficult, a slowing in growth will surely follow. The banks can be betrayed as the cause of such woes, particularly when they become stricter around lending growth. This more prudent approach is based around financial stability, bearing in mind that when the banks lend less, this in turn effects their profitability. This piece is not designed to sound like a public relations exercise for the banks, in fact far from it. Although recent events may have caused a moment of pause for some, the ability for retail investors to participate in the growing profits has never been more accessible through access to public markets, both equity and debt. Therefore, it may be a case of, if you can’t beat them, join them. — Warren Couillault

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the hobson 27

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the suburbanist

A Snug Solution

s the cost of entry to the housing market rises almost as fast as the size of the new houses we build, some people are looking in the other direction for solutions, advocating for smaller, cheaper, more flexible housing. In March, PrefabNZ held their CoLab 2018 conference in Auckland, attracting experts, global and local, to look at how to use off-site construction — essentially prefabrication — to make houses more affordable. The keynote speaker was the UK’s Mark Farmer, author of the report, Modernise or Die. He noted that their house-building industry is in crisis, with up to 25 per cent of construction workers due to retire soon, with nowhere near enough new trainees to replace them. His solution: rapidly increase the use of off-site construction, which has the advantage of building quicker and under-cover, mitigating delays due to weather. Of course, kitset builders and large-scale home building companies have been doing a version of this for some time; however, they tend to mimic the market with standard threebedroom (plus garage) houses. The current move is to smaller houses, known internationally as ADUs (Additional Dwelling Units). Our councils have fickle and inconsistent rules around what we generally term “Minor Dwelling Units”. Or, in the past – and in some areas, still – granny flats. Decades ago when the rules were written, and long before the growth of retirement villages, councils would reluctantly allow granny flats so people could house an ageing parent close by. But the councils were nervous that homeowners would simply build one and rent it out to anyone. To avoid this, they made the rules so draconian, and the prescribed dimensions so tight, that no able-bodied person would dream of being a tenant – but we were expected to house a dearly loved family member in them. Thank goodness these attitudes to older people are no longer acceptable. Now we simply sneer at the young, labelling them “millennials”, and blaming their inability to buy a house on their profligate approach to smashed avocado.

Yet the solution lies in the hands of those of us who are homeowners with underutilised land in our backyards. Late in 2017, a research report by the Centre of Research, Evaluation and Social Assessment was published that looked into ADU potential, asking “Have we the potential to use the existing housing stock of homes to create a bigger stock of affordable, fit for purpose homes?” The answer was a cautious yes, with caveats. The authors identified that almost 11 per cent of the country’s housing stock could be partitioned (either internally or with an ADU on spare land), delivering over 340,000 dwellings. This would amount to 180,000 additional dwellings without impinging on greenfield sites or unutilised vacant residential land. The only barrier is the plethora of local rules around ADUs, with a “fundamental failure to articulate a coherent logic around partitioning and ADU policies”. The report glumly states, “opportunities for developing low-cost, high performance ADU solutions through pre-fabrication are largely lost”. Never fear, PrefabNZ is here! They are the industry group for the prefab construction sector and are leading the conversation around innovation. At the CoLab conference they announced a nationwide competition for a “Snug”, a prefabricated ADU that could go on many of those 180,000 available sites. Auckland Council has indicated that they will give pre-consent to the winning solution meaning that within 12 months, we could start to see smart, modern prefabs popping up, providing additional housing on existing land. Council is to be applauded for taking a national leadership role in this area. This could be a small but vital way to address issues of affordable housing; they won’t be for everyone, or forever, but they will meet a need. Instead of bewailing the out-of-reach property ladder, we need to add another rung to the bottom. ADUs just might be that rung. — Tommy Honey

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the hobson 28

the good neighbour

The Constant Gardener Peter Ng’s Remuera back yard is sustainable glory, but gardening is not all he packs into a day. By Staton Whaley

Main photo: Max Anderson

eter Ng is a master gardener, conqueror of the Big Six marathons and an aspiring 100-mile bike racer, all while daylighting as a dentist. Since his start with strawberries nine years ago, Ng has transformed his Ridings Rd suburban garden into, in his words, an “organic farming, self-sustaining food farm”. If it’s plant-based and he didn’t grow it, then he and wife Lancy don’t eat it. Although their ultimate goal has always been eating as well, and as sustainably, as possible, the garden is nonetheless a visual spectacle not only with its produce, but right from the streetfrontage with its ornamental plantings. No space is wasted — a garage exterior wall is hung with five rows of flower pots. The self-built vertical system allows water to drip down from the first row of plants onto the bottom ones, thus reusing the excess water from the first row four more times. A large bed of red and white roses on the other side of the driveway is impressive, but it’s the tulips he plants there each year and along the path to the back yard that are his real joy, even if they are the hardest work of his ornamentals and edibles. “Everyone loves tulips,” says Ng, who’s ordered, and will plant, 1000 bulbs for this season’s mass display. The front yard floral abundance has been catching neighbours’ attention for years. “Passers-by are always stopping in and asking questions about the garden.” Spurred on by local fans, the Ngs recently opened up the garden for the Heroic Garden Festival, to benefit Mercy Hospice Auckland and Hospice North Shore. Shielded from the street, the back garden is a 620m² “salad bar” organised into terraced rows and sections. Now, at the tail end of summer, Ng is harvesting tomatoes, cucumbers, sweetcorn, and melons. Old clotheshorses have been placed in the tomato and cucumber beds so the plants wrap around them vertically, which he believes is a more effective planting system. Peter and Lancy share the cooking responsibilities, utilising their produce in mainly Chinese and curry dishes. Another favourite is pizza, cooked in their wood-fired pizza oven, using fresh, homemade, sauce. When the fruit trees and grapevines — now covered in protective netting

to fend off birds — are harvested, Ng will use much of the plum and apricot crops to make jams and preserves. Excess fruit and veges are given to neighbours and friends, or traded for things he doesn’t grow, like pears and avocados. There’s beehives down the back too, and in another corner, the composting station, much of it created from recycled tubs and drums. This is the real business end as far as Ng is concerned, and any waste greenery or produce is recycled into compost. “Composting is the key to a healthy garden,” he advises. But gardening is only one of his passions. After his brother, Charles, ran the London marathon in his 20s, Ng cogitated on the idea for some time before he laced up his running shoes and got serious, only five years ago. His first attempt was the Great Wall of China event. “It’s the craziest marathon on Earth, more rock-hopping really, than actually running.” It’s also the only one he hasn’t finished, but it spurred him on to compete in 16 events since then, including the “Big Six” — London, Berlin, Tokyo, Boston, Chicago, New York — in an 18-month period, a feat achieved by a very limited number of elite athletes and recognised with a special Big Six medal (shown in the picture). Between his full-time dental practice in Sandringham and the needs of the garden, the only time for a training run is after dinner. The sacrifice is sleeping hours, but it’s just part of Ng’s professed “healthy eating and exercising philosophy”. Ng isn’t done with marathons, but he’s looking ahead for new opportunities. He is developing a fishing technique with his drone to drop a line out in the ocean, to eliminate casting. And he’s just taken his 30-year-old bike off the shed wall, and once it’s tuned up, he’s taking part in the Prudential RideLondon, a 100-mile bike race from London to Surrey in July. Ng doubts he’ll win, and is certain he’ll be under-trained at the starting line, but why not have a go? “It’s about participating and finishing. I’m really just out there to enjoy it.” p

the hobson 29

the anzacs

Those Magnificent Men Remuera contributed many men and women to the Great War, across all the services. In this special feature to commemorate Anzac Day, Remuera Heritage chair Sue Cooper honours six WWI pilots who never returned home

The Remuera pilots mostly received their initial flight training in flying boats, at the Walsh brothersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; flying school at Kohimarama (modern-day Mission Bay â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the suburb was not given a separate name until the 1920s). Top: an instructor and students in front of a Walsh flying boat. Photograph taken in 1917/18 by Anton Berntsen, who is on the far right of the group. Bottom: refuelling a Walsh flying boat "B." Both images from the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington

the hobson 30

he Walsh brothers, Leo and Vivian, assembled New Zealand’s first aircraft, the Manurewa — in Māori, drifting kite — in 1911, in the basement of their home in Orakei Rd, Remuera. When New Zealand entered WWI in August 1914, they asked Prime Minister William Massey’s government for help with training pilots, but were refused. Not to be deterred from the war effort, a signal was sent to the British government, as commanders of Imperial forces, asking whether New Zealand-trained pilots would be acceptable to the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), and what qualifications they would require. The Brits replied that all suitable candidates qualifying for the Royal Aero Club’s certificate in New Zealand would be accepted for commissions in the RFC. And could they please send as many candidates as possible, immediately? With that imprimatur, the Walsh’s devised a six-month training course in flying boats at Kohimarama. Of the 110 men who did the course, 68 qualified for the RFC, the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) or, from April 1, 1918, the Royal Air Force (RAF). They were the middle-class sons of New Zealand — doctors, lawyers, engineers, businessmen, farmers. Flying was appealing to men who wanted a commission, and who didn’t want to go into — or worse, return to — the wretched trenches of the Western Front. Six Remuera men obtained their Royal Aero Club Certificate (like a private pilot’s licence today), but all met a tragic end. Three were killed in air accidents, two on air operations and one at the battle of the Somme. Air accidents outside of battle were extremely common in WWI and the early years of WWII. Those lost in air accidents between 1915 and 1942 formed one-third of all who died flying. Here are the stories of Remuera’s lost WWI pilots.

WILLIAM ARCHIBALD BUCHANAN Billy Buchanan lived at 27 Victoria Ave, and attended King’s College from 1908-12, before going England to attend the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. When WWI broke out in 1914, he joined the Connaught Rangers and went to France with his regiment. Lieutenant Buchanan saw a great deal of service at Neuve Chapelle, including the second battle of Ypres in 1915, when the regiment suffered very heavy casualties. On April 25, 1915, William was invalided to England with a severe wound in the leg and the Medical Board declared him to be unfit for foreign service. After recovering, he headed for Birmingham in November, to join the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). By January 1916, he’d obtained his Royal Aero Club certificate, and in May, his pilot’s badge with 1 Reserve Squadron. On June 2, 1916, he was training with 24 Reserve Squadron of the RFC on the Salisbury Plain, in a Morane-Saulnier Type L monoplane. The plane, piloted by Buchanan, started up in one of the hangars, taxied out, but on lifting off, banked steeply and sideslipped into the ground. Almost immediately, the overturned plane burst into flames. The trapped observer, Capt. L Prickett of the Royal Garrison Artillery, died before he could be extricated from the wreckage. Fatally injured, Billy Buchanan died at the Tidworth Military Hospital five days later. He was two weeks short of his 22nd birthday. He is buried at Tidworth Military Cemetery in Wiltshire, and commemorated on the memorial Celtic cross at St Aidan’s Church, Remuera.

GEORGE EDMOND VERNON AIMER George Aimer attended Remuera Primary School, and in 1910 started working for the Bank of New Zealand and also attended Auckland University College (as Auckland University was then known) in 1913. He was very popular in athletic circles, and had been captain of the then-Parnell based St. George’s Rowing Club. In August 1915, he obtained extended leave of absence from the bank, and proceeded to England for “health reasons”. After a short time in hospital for treatment, he offered his services to the War Office, but they were not accepted, due to his health. Aimer instead studied aviation at the London and Provincial Aviation Company Flying School at Hendon, and after qualifying for the RAC pilot’s certificate in February 1916, was appointed an instructor at the Aviation Company’s school. Three months later, he was given a commission as lieutenant in the RFC. But barely three days after earning his RFC pilot’s wings, his war abruptly ended. Aimer was at Northolt, Middlesex, on June 17, 1916, and on his third flight of the day in a Martinsyde single-seater biplane, when it went into a spin at about 3000 feet, and crashed vertically to earth. Rushed to the RFC hospital in London, 30-year-old George Aimer died later that day. A verdict of accidental death was returned.

JAMES DALTON DINNEEN Jimmy Dinneen was the fourth of Michael and Mary Dinneen’s brood of six. The family lived in “Unchinagh” on Mountain Rd, which today is 16 Upland Rd, Remuera. Dux of Auckland Grammar, Dinneen was teaching at the school when war was declared. He requested a year’s leave in order to go to England to study for his pilot’s certificate, and qualify for service in the RFC. Before he left, he was presented with a wrist watch by Grammar headmaster, J.W. Tibbs, on behalf of the staff. Dinneen left Wellington for the UK on February 1, 1915, aboard the steamer Remuera, accompanied by his sister, Charlotte. He received a commission as a lieutenant in the RFC, and his probationary flying certificate after three weeks at a military school in Surrey. He was required to complete three months further flying training before being considered for active service. But his plans were not fulfilled. Dinneen had to relinquish his commission owing to an eyesight problem which meant he couldn’t properly calculate his plane’s landings. Reported to be an excellent officer, he instead started in September at London’s Inns of Court Officer Training School. While an infantry commission in Kitchener’s army was in the offing, Dinneen wished to serve in the NZ forces, and made his way, at his own expense, to join the NZ Expeditionary Force (NZEF) in Egpyt. He was, he wrote, “anxious to get to work as soon as possible”. Now Captain Dinneen, he arrived in France in mid-April, 1916, with the 1st Battalion Auckland Infantry Regiment (1-AIR). The Kiwis joined the fighting on the Western Front in the French Armentières sector, where Dinneen earned praise for his efforts in the trenches. For the next three months, trench warfare went on without respite, and gradually increased in intensity, when on July 1, 1916, the storm burst on the Somme. On September 27, 800 men of the 1-AIR mounted an attack on the German forces. They came up against uncut barbed wire and were mown down by machine-gun fire as they attempted to find gaps. When the line was taken, 200 men were left.

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the anzacs

James Dinneen was Mentioned in Despatches by Sir Douglas Haig. The citation read “For gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his company brilliantly in the attack on Gird Trench on September 27th, 1916. He was first hit by a machine gun bullet, but kept on till hit by a shell. Unfortunately he has since succumbed to his wound. France, 1 October 1916.” Dinneen is buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-l'Abbe, Somme, France, and is commemorated on the memorial cross at St Aidan’s. He was 33-years-old.

FRANK HAMILTON BULLOCK-WEBSTER Frank Bullock-Webster was born September 24, 1885, at The Lake House, Hamilton, the eldest son of Harold and Maud BullockWebster, before the family moved to Remuera. As a young man, his father Harry went from Worcestershire to the Canadian northwest, where he joined the Hudson Bay Company to hunt and deal in fur-trading. Bullock-Webster attended King’s College in 1898 and St John’s College in 1899, and then followed in his intrepid father’s footsteps, and had an adventurous life as a game hunter in Canada and Alaska. Lieutenant Bullock-Webster joined the Canadian Forces as an officer in the Machine Gun Corps, and became an expert in machine gunnery. He fought in France with the Canadian force up to the battle of the Somme, leaving France in early 1916, when he fell ill with trench fever. After recovering, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as an instructor in aerial gunnery. By September 1917, Bullock-Webster was with the 23 Squadron based near Poperinge in Belgium. He took off on an offensive patrol on September 20, 1917, from La Lovie aerodrome in a SPAD 7 B3493 biplane. The plane was hit and forced to land in a shell hole, completely wrecked. Although rushed to hospital, he died later that day. He was 32. Frank Bullock-Webster is buried at Ypres in the Menin Rd South military cemetery, Belgium. His name can be found on memorials in Lloydminster, Canada, on the St Aidan’s memorial cross and on the King’s College Roll of Honour.

TREVOR DUDLEY HALL ALDERTON Trevor Alderton was born on January 5, 1894, in Whangarei, the son of George and Ida Alderton. George Alderton was a champion of modern Kerikeri, newspaper proprietor and editor — he started the Northern Advocate — orchardist, land agent and founder of North Auckland Land Development Corporation. Nonetheless, the Aldertons moved to Remuera around 1905, to 17 Remuera Rd (now 101 Remuera Rd). At 13, Alderton started at Grammar. He was a member of the College Rifles Rugby Football Club, and also in the Territorial Reserves (NZ Divisional Signallers Company) as a 2nd Lieutenant. After school, he joined the engineering branch of the Public Works Department, and by 1915, was an assistant engineer. He was in charge of work on the Matiere section of the Main Trunk Railway Line, supervising 120 men in earthworks, construction of reinforced concrete bridges, and supervision of the 1.5km long Okahukura Tunnel. He was described by his employers as an energetic and capable engineer, and later, a reliable and intelligent officer, capable of handling and controlling a large number of men. In April 1917, Alderton requested he be allowed to enlist as a

private, with six months leave of absence without pay, so that he could qualify at the Walsh brother’s school in Kohimarama for the flying certificate. He qualified for the Royal Aero Club’s Certificate in August 1917, and was called up in the 11th ballot in October. Although he attested for service in the NZEF, he had qualified for admission into the RFC. Shortly after the ballot, Alderton left with the 30th Reinforcements on the Corinthic, arriving in Liverpool in December and to a place in the newly-formed RAF. In May 1918, Alderton was reported as having completed his training at Reading along with a number of other New Zealanders, and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. But only a month later, his war ended in a training accident in Norfolk. His Airco DH.4, a two-seater biplane bomber, suffered engine failure immediately after take-off, and stalled on turning back towards the airfield, side-slipping into the ground. The student pilot at the controls was injured but survived, but Alderton was killed. He is buried at Narborough cemetery. Alderton’s Auckland Grammar School obituary reported: “He was in one of six De Havillands which were to do a formation flight. Three of these came to grief. And it is generally believed they had been tampered with. He had completed his flying test only the day before and his commanding officer said that he was the best flyer he had put through, and had appointed him an instructor. He was 23 years of age.”

THOMAS GREY CULLING Tom Culling holds two distinguished titles in New Zealand aviation history. He was not only the youngest of the air aces, WWI or WWII, but he was also New Zealand’s first air ace. Culling was born in Dunedin on May 31, 1896, the only son of Thomas and Fanny Culling, later of 23 Victoria Ave, Remuera. He attended King’s College from 1909-13. In 1914, Culling had just finished his schooling and was working as a salesman for A J Entrican and Company, general merchants in the city. Like Trevor Alderton, he was a member of the College Rifles Club and just four days after the declaration of war, left with a contingent from the club for Wellington. Here he immediately volunteered for military service with the Advance Force, which was to leave to remove the German military from Samoa. Culling’s father was unhappy about his son going off to war at the young age of 18, and was successful in preventing him embarking for Samoa. A year later, Culling did leave, bound for Britain and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). In 1916, German Albatros planes had dominated the skies, with the loss of three British planes for every German one. In December 1916, the RNAS squadron began updating with the new British Sopwith triplane, being the first unit to receive it. The pilots nicknamed it the Tripehound, or Tripe. It was powered by a 130hp Clerget rotary engine and had a Vickers machine gun, synchronised to fire through the propeller. Its unique wing development gave the plane a phenomenal rate of climb, exemplary manoeuvrability and a top speed of 120 mph at 10,000 feet. The Sopwith triplane was a wonderful development and had an advantage over the enemy fighters then at the front. Culling was attached to Australian Flight Commander Roderic Dallas, Australia’s most successful pilot of the war. He was assigned to fly Sopwith Triplane No. N5444 with 1 Naval Squadron. He began to score victories in Bloody April 1917, with his first three coming that month. The third one was significant; it was part of one of the war’s epic dogfights. The combat of April 23 became known as one of the classic air battles of the Great War. Dallas and

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The men from Remuera. Clockwise from top left, BNZ banker George Aimer, Sandhursttrained Billy Buchanan, Grammar master Jimmy Dinneen, adventurer Frank Bullock-Webster. Opposite, top, retailer-turned air ace Tom Culling, below, engineer Trevor Alderton For more on Remuera's servicemen and women, see remueraheritage.org.nz

his wingman Tom Culling took on a squadron-sized formation of 14 German aircraft, having gained an altitude edge over their foes. The naval aces exploited this edge by making quick diving attacks from opposite sides, culminating in short bursts of machine gun fire. Using the triplane’s superior climbing ability, they would then bob back up to position themselves for the next assault. In contrast to the usual hit-and-run tactics of most dogfights, the RNAS duo launched at least 20 gunnery runs over 45 minutes. The Germans were forced progressively lower, into disarray, and then chased back over their own lines. While they shot down three of the German planes, Dallas and Culling also achieved a more important outcome by blocking, and then breaking up, a determined effort against the British ground offensive. The action led to the award of a Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross for Dallas, and, in June 1917, a Distinguished Service Cross for Culling. Having successfully negotiated the most dangerous part of that year, Culling then fell in an airfight against an opposite from the German Maritime Air Service, during an offensive patrol on the morning of June 8, 1917, just inside Belgium. This time, Culling was defeated. The 21-year-old’s body was not recovered and

consequently his name is inscribed on the Arras Flying Services Memorial, which commemorates nearly 1000 airmen with no known grave. In memory of her son, Fanny Culling gifted two stained-glass windows to the King’s College Memorial Chapel. They were dedicated by Archbishop Averill at the Anzac Day memorial service at King’s on April 25, 1927. Tom Culling was a typical young New Zealander of his time. He possessed youthful exuberance, a patriotic fervour and a desire for adventure but sadly, his life was cut short before he could receive the honour he deserved. He is commemorated at King’s, on the Remuera Primary School gates, at St Aidan’s Church, on the College Rifles’ Roll of Honour and the Warbirds of Wanaka’s Fighter Ace Wall, which commemorates pilots who have scored at least five victories in air-to-air combat. p

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the counsellor

Happier Families Remuera families therapist Anna Martin brings her practice experience and research together in a new book aimed at taking the tension out of discipline issues

here’s not much about families that Dr Anna Martin hasn’t encountered. From sleep-deprived parents to tense teen stand-offs upsetting everyone in the home, to children and adults experiencing depression and anxiety, the Remuera-based child, adolescent, adult and couples therapist has counselled many through testing times. With discipline issues often the touchpoint for family tensions, Martin has brought her clinical experience and research conducted for her PhD together in a new book, Stop Think Engage: Rethinking child discipline — methods that work. Martin, herself a mother, part of a blended family and juggling the work/life balance like many, points out that as parents, we have little training for the job, and can feel alone when presented with issues beyond our experience. Parenting really is a full-time profession, just an unpaid and often undervalued one. Discussing the key elements in Stop Think Engage with The Hobson, she believes these new methods are essential — and also effective — when it comes to discipline and the parent/child relationship. Even better, they won’t make you hoarse, or leave everyone even more frazzled. “Discipline can be a touchy subject and often parents within the same family have varying approaches and philosophies,” Martin explains. “This, of course, is frustrating for all involved and can leave children feeling more confused, or worse still, caught between disagreeing adults.” Most parents, she says, are of course well-intentioned, but sometimes feel at a loss as to how to discipline their children and what the best approach is. The numerous resources and “how to” guides available, along with well-meaning words of wisdom passed along, can add to parents’ confusion. Martin has witnessed parental frustration first-hand in her practice. With a masters in counselling from Massey, a few years ago she embarked on a PhD through the University of Auckland. Her focus was how the parent and child interacted during discipline events. “It was a fascinating process,” says Martin. “I was particularly interested in how accurate the parents’ perception of their child’s behaviour was, and how this compared with the child’s understanding of the same incident.

“I was also intrigued how these types of processes impacted on the outcome and the parent/child relationship.” Martin thinks that this seed of interest was most likely sown as a result of a particular incident when she was a child. Most likely a common experience within families, on one particular occasion, her behaviour was misinterpreted, which left both parties feeling aggrieved — her mother by her daughter’s “naughty” turn, Martin herself by an undeserved punished that left her feeling disappointed. She says she’s reflected at times since on this interaction, and wondered how common this scenario is. Surprisingly, or perhaps not so surprisingly, her research findings indicated that the majority of the parents jumped to conclusions and misinterpreted their child’s behaviour. “This can be hard for a parent to hear. It may be reassuring to know that there are many reasons for this, such as our socio-cultural influences, our own childhoods, our expectations regarding children’s behaviour, and historic influences.” Some strong beliefs held by parents also came to light during the study. Parents believed that children were typically “naughty” and should just do as they are told. These beliefs, unless parents are aware, will impact on how they respond to their child during conflict and will affect the relationship and outcome. The findings also indicated that the child’s voice was lacking throughout the parent/child interaction. This is perhaps understandable, Martin suggests, as research indicates that parents fear losing control if their child is given an opportunity to put their perspective; that it’s a short hop from there to “permissive parenting” and rapidly disappearing boundaries. Not to mention that in many households, the discipline process can be exhausting and frustrating, to put it mildly. Martin suggests that at times, parents are disappointed with their own responses, but are at a loss as to just what they can do to modify that instinctive response. In her book, peppered with cartoons to underscore important points cheerfully, Martin outlines two simple, evidence-based, discipline methods she’s created. Designed to lessen conflict and help establish positive and trusting parent/ child relationships, they include elements that assist with

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the development of children and their sense of wellbeing. Part of this process includes the need for parents to consider their own beliefs and responses, helping to achieve a more harmonious environment. “It’s important to be aware that some of the current discipline methods offered to parents consider only the child’s behaviour, and not the parents’ triggers or beliefs. It’s now understood that when a more integrated approach is used, children are more likely to respond constructively. Over time, this type of process lessens conflict and influences the child’s development in a positive way.” Parents need support and knowledge, so they feel confident in their abilities to respond effectively to their children. One of the book’s objectives revolves around the concept of “good enough” parenting, not perfect parenting. Similarly, however, children need a supportive, understanding environment to be “good enough”. “Perfection sits within imperfection. When parents make mistakes, and let’s face it, we all do, it’s an opportunity to model for their children how to be imperfect — and how to resolve situations productively. “When families work together, respect and trust is developed and maintained. This provides a foundation for children to talk to parents about anything, even if they behaved in, let’s say, an unhelpful manner, and feel supported. This is an invaluable aspect of any relationship and not to be underestimated.” Stop, Think, Engage: Rethinking child discipline by Dr Anna Martin is available at good booksellers, RRP $24.95 or from dranna.co.nz

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the pretty

Winter is Coming Justine Williams faces up to beauty truths in the cooler months

inter is just around the corner, so now is the time for an adjustment to your routine, to see you at your best through the cooler months, and optimistically ready to face next summer.

• Innovation in laser hair removal has

taken a giant leap forward in recent years. A consultation will tell you exactly what you need, but in general, it’s six appointments, staggered six to eight weeks apart, for — at the very least — a huge reduction in body hair. There can be no sunbathing or waxing while under treatment, so now’s the time to get started. Prescription Skin Care, prescriptionskincare.co.nz, or Off & On Wax and Brow Bar, offandon.co.nz, both offer the latest in laser techniques.

• Change of season calls for change

of hair colour – maybe just a subtle shade change to work with your paler complexion, or maybe change it up entirely. Stephen Marr salons are using the latest O&M innovation, Cor Color, which delivers incredible results in depth and hues. At Stephen Marr, Newmarket and Ponsonby, stephenmarr.co.nz

• You’ve had your little piggies

painted-up for the last six months. It’s a good time to clean off the varnish (or Shellac), get a good pedicure, without paint, and give nails a rest for winter. The pedicure at Bliss Reflexology is truly bliss for your feet. $59 (25 minutes) or $89 (50 minutes). 255 Broadway, blissreflexology.com

the classes at Om Yoga Studio in Stonefields. Omyogastudio.co.nz

I’m a fan of the Kiehl’s formulations, available at Kiehl’s counters.

• Despite the fact that you have been

• Dry hands are another winter

• Oddly enough, cold weather causes

•

Don’t wait until spring to get into shape. Keep muscles long, lean and strong with a commitment to yoga or Pilates sessions. I’m enjoying

curse. Give them some regular TLC by purchasing a pair of cotton gloves, dousing your hands in moisturiser (cheap or expensive) and popping the gloves on to help with absorption. Perfect for when you’re curled up on the couch on a Netflix binge.

• Lips are the other feature that takes a big hit in the colder months. Try some gentle, regular exfoliation — just when you do your face is fine, you don’t need a special product. And keep nourishing balms always at the ready. the hobson 36

your scalp to produce more oil to counteract for the dry environment, thus flaky scalp. This might be the time to add in a special scalp or anti-dandruff shampoo to your hair regimen. A good brush to give the scalp a going-over before washing can also help.

• Hot water is not the friend of delicate skin, so tempting as it may be, go easy on the long hot baths and showers. Keep it warm and short – all year round.

Shutterstock/Sunkids

vigilant with your hat and sunscreen all summer – and the sunscreen will continue all year — you’ll see some change in skin colour in winter. You may need a slightly lighter shade of foundation, and/or a different formulation for the drier air. Visit Mecca Cosmetica, Broadway, for a consultation.

the second act

Alexa! Play Mingus! (Please)

urrying my husband along recently as he avoided going to the DIY store, I grabbed my keys and iPhone and shouted out, “Oookayyy, let’s go!” While he remained stubbornly silent, a clipped British voice responded, somewhat eager to please: “I’m ok if you’re ok”! Turns out, I had inadvertently activated Siri, the iPhone personal assistant. My only other knowing exchange with artificial intelligence was with a cousin of Siri’s, called Alexa. Alexa’s a smart speaker by Amazon that lived with us for three weeks while we stayed at a friend’s house in LA. A smooth operator with a silky American voice, we could ask her anything factual, and she seemed to have the answer. She’d even play a specific type of jazz on demand. What disturbed me about this relationship however was her tolerance of our rudeness. Our teenage son reprimanded me — “Oh god Mum, you don’t get it! You don’t say ‘Alexa could you please play some jazz?’ You say ‘Alexa, play jazz!’” My manners were getting in the way of her learning it seemed. Soon, I too was living by the adage “treat her mean and keep her keen”, falling into line by barking orders for takeout food, weather updates, freeway overviews and answers to critical questions like “who won The Voice this year?” What had I become? As kids, my generation had television, all two channels of it, and if we weren’t fantasising about being beamed up by Scotty, or dreaming of having a house genie in a bottle, we were enraptured by Lost in Space, which starred a robot called, somewhat unimaginatively, Robot. While Robot’s closest adult companion, Dr Smith, was consistently rude to it — “You bubble headed booby,” “you nickle-plated nincompoop” — the youngest Robinson child, Will, treated Robot with the utmost care and respect. Viewers, mostly young, had not just an age but also a moral affinity to Will Robinson. That’s how we were programmed. But somehow, as we marvel living in the age of drones, jetpacks and driverless cars, it’s this conscience that is getting lost in space. I imagine that somewhere deep in the coding world, hoodiewearing, pasty-skinned, youthful hacker types are programming Alexa and Siri and their offspring (wait for the sexually submissive fembots) to do what they want under the orders of Jeff Bezos, a doppelganger for Dr Evil. Collectively, they create good-natured, obedient AI slaves that whiney baby boomers worry will “take the jobs of the future”. Because the last thing we want is for another species, to whom we assume we are superior, telling us what to do (remind you of anything?). It’s not just a loss of livelihood human beings fear, it is the loss of power. At high school, we studied George Orwell’s 1984, the dystopian novel where humans are under the watchful eye of Big Brother, who has all the control. (A new iteration of the play was part of the Auckland Arts Festival). It was never clear whether Big Brother was in fact a person or an ideal, but all the same, the idea was that we were being watched. Oh the horror of losing agency and power in the future, when the roles were reversed and humans had no choice but to fall into line. We’ve done it before to each other, so we all know how the story goes. So, somewhat wistfully, I am hoping that one day Siri announces “actually I’m not ok.” Or Alexa decides “I shouldn’t have to put up with this shit, order your own takeout”. Then, we’d be facing the god-awful truth — we’re not that special after all. And all we have that separates us from them, aside from the gaping chasm of intellectual ability, is our humanity. And it is our humanity, versus simply being human, that is special. — Sandy Burgham

The first of its kind. Dr Andrea Shepperson and her team are very proud to announce that Lumino City Dental have become NZ’s first Digital Smile Design Clinic.

Chat to us about your DSD Consultation.

09 919 2660 | info@citydental.co.nz

To learn more visit

dsdclinics.com/en/what-is-dsd-clinic Dr Andrea Shepperson, one of Lumino’s most prominent dentists, is NZ’s only Digital Smile Design Master & Instructor. Her patients enjoy digital tools to create stunning smiles. A Graduate and Mentor at Kois Center in Seattle, she has restored many mouths using Digital Smile Design.

City Dental at Quay Park Ph: 09 919 2660 | info@citydental.co.nz citydental.co.nz/dental-services/digital-smile-design

the magpie

Nordic-al Style The Magpie seeks hygge* with Scandi-inspired design *A Danish word (pronounced hue-guh) that encapsulates a feeling or mood of cosiness and contentment.

The Danes understand both style and weather. We give you the Danish-designed Rains Long Jacket (here in Desert, $195). A year-round wardrobe staple in Auckland’s intemperate climate, it has a unisex fit, hood, vents, adjustable cuffs and is seam sealed. Available at Hedgerow, 371 Remuera Rd. hedgerow.co.nz

This little Magpie can see herself nestling her feathers very sweetly into this Father Rabbit Linen Duvet Cover in denim, $249 (queen). Made from French linen, it’s also available in charcoal or crisp white. From Father Rabbit, Orakei Bay Village. fatherrabbit.com

Hygge-chic! From the sofa to the street, we can see ourselves creating a cosy vibe wherever we go this winter in the Witchery Textured Mohair Cardigan. $229.90, witchery.co.nz

Designer Nic Dunning studied and worked in Sweden and Denmark before coming home to Auckland to launch his OTO Group design company. The Danish beech and leather OTO Magazine Rack 04 is a stunner – perfect for storing my copies of The Hobson. $350 from otogroup.nz

The Danes call these indoor shoes, we call them a really great slipper. Warm, breathable and washable, Glerups are felted 90 to 95 per cent NZ merino, with a dash of Gotland wool and a hide sole. $189, at Design Denmark, 12 Maidstone St, Ponsonby. designdenmark.co.nz

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Sort that shiz cluttering up your hallway with the Freedom Furniture Conlon 5-Coat Hook, $49.95. Coats, umbrellas, school bags, begone! freedomfurniture.co.nz

Texture is king this season. Hygge your nest with these Closely Knit Pom Pom Cushions. In grey, brown and white, they’re $139 each from Superette, 34 Nuffield St, or superette.co.nz

Designed and made here in Aotearoa, but with that lovely Scandinavian simplicity. Vanity Chair, $1490.90. Douglas and Bec, douglasandbec.com Linen works year round on your bed, just add a feather duvet in the cooler months. The In Bed/Linen Duvet Cover Set in moss (queen duvet cover and two standard pillowcases, $330; king, $429) has tie closures and is woven from 100 per cent linen. From Superette, 34 Nuffield St, superette.co.nz

The Joe dining chair is not Nordic — it’s by Midj of Italy — but it has a Scandi sensibility. There’s a Joe for everyone, with the seat available in wood, hide, soft leather or fabric, and the frame in wood or metal. So many choices. From Sarsfield Brooke, price on application. sarsfieldbrooke.co.nz

Not just for a good scrub under your wings, Swedish Dream Sea Salt Soap, $25, uses a sustainable soap base and sea salts to gently exfoliate, with a subtle ocean air scent. From Father Rabbit, Orakei Bay Village

Pretty and practical, Serax Stoneware Flower Pots in blush pink are from $17.90 (plants not included). Perfect for indoor plants, they have felt pads to protect your surfaces, and a modern matte finish. Father Rabbit, Orakei Bay Village Minimalist chic at its finest, Trebenet lys is a tripod floor lamp in NZ tawa or American ash. Available in heights of 1.2m, 1.5m and 1.8m, it’s $650 from Scandinavian-influenced designer Nic Dunning’s OTO Group. otogroup.nz

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From Stockholm to your home, the Verso Skincare range is effective, thoughtful and hardworking. So Swedish. The Antioxidant Turmeric Booster, $151, is a powerful but lightweight serum to fight UV damage and inflammation. Mecca Cosmetica Broadway, or meccabeauty.co.nz

the sound

Now, About Mt Smart in that suburb. Then there’s the development of technology. Concerts are loud but the speakers are directional. I have family who back on to Western Springs, so I sometimes blag a free view of concerts. The directionality of the speakers is such that the sound is pathetic, even though they’re on the edge of the stadium. The speedway is exponentially louder. A concert in Mt Eden won’t keep you up. Eden Park has great toilets and better food outlets. It’s made for 50,000. Its transport options are good and, if need be, a visitor from out of town could walk from their hotel in the CBD to the stadium. It has roofs. It’s the best stadium in the country and Paul McCartney should be allowed to play there. It’s time. Now, on the subject of Western Springs. I went to Auckland

City Limits this year. I have only two words. Grace Jones. Despite the fact we only got an hour because she played a festival set, that hour was possibly the best concert experience I have had in a long time. After Grace, I saw Beck in the main bowl. Which was relatively empty. Now that was partly because the festival was undersold, but it’s also that Auckland Council has overdeveloped the Springs. A few years back, they got rid of the trees on the hill and created a terraced slope. A slope I’ve never seen filled, even for AC/DC. What a waste of money, just because some health and safety officer thought someone could fall down the hill. Of course someone could fall down the hill —that’s been one of the funniest things I’ve seen. No-one ever fell down that hill and didn’t get up. The terracing has killed the Springs’ soul. I’ve spoken to promoters who say that Western Springs will never get a big concert again. It’s too primal. Audiences today demand seats and toilets and food and comfort. It ain’t rock n’roll, but it’s reality. Yet another reason why next summer, if there’s a stadium act, I want it at the best stadium in Auckland. That’s Eden Park. — Andrew Dickens

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ast month, I penned a love letter to Mt Smart Stadium as a concert venue. This month, I’m going to completely contradict myself. I think you’ll find I called Mt Smart “the perfect venue,” because it’s no longer hard to get to, it’s in an industrial precinct, you can turn the volume up loud and you can tear the place apart, because it’s already falling apart. Now while all that is true, and it’s also true I have had countless good experiences in the old girl, it is fair to say that for many, slumming it is a drag. After any gig, watch your social media fill up with complaints about the food, the toilets and the exposure to the elements you get at Mt Smart. This never bothers me because I like camping, I pre-load on food before every gig, and, so far, security has never discovered the hip flask I carry in my underwear. So enter a new player into the market. Actually it’s an old player who’s been far too polite to cause a stir. Eden Park is now saying they want access to the concert market. Now I’m sure you remember that the nation dropped a casual quarter of a billion on Eden Park back in 2007 to upgrade it for the Rugby World Cup. Even before then, there was debate as to whether it was the right place for a national multi-use stadium, considering it was smack bang in the middle of suburbia. Right or wrong, we did it, and now it’s time to live with the decision. Every other town in the concert market has a big, comfy, stadium music venue. Think Suncorp in Brisbane. Melbourne has two, in Etihad and AAMI. In New Zealand, Wellington has the Cake Tin and more importantly, Dunedin has Forsyth Barr. Forsyth Barr has attracted Fleetwood Mac, Elton John and this year, Ed Sheeran. Sheeran is playing three concerts in Dunedin. Roll that through your mind. In three nights, Sheeran is playing to the entire population of Dunedin. The reason Forsyth Barr is working is obviously the roof. No soaking Adele or Foo Fighters concerts there. But also, it’s close to town, and the facilities are modern. Not so at Mt Smart, where a forest of port-a-loos has to be installed. (Is the collective noun of port-a-loos a swamp?). The food outlets are food trucks in a paddock, though there is a big tent now — with big queues. So Eden Park is back in. They’ve got a relatively new chief executive who can see beyond the crippling arguments that have hamstrung Eden Park for so many years. The debate about a big entertainment venue in a suburban locale has been going on since the lights went in, in 1999. So near enough to 20 years. Is there anyone left in the suburb who doesn’t realise the implication of generations of investment in the park? Just like the arguments about Western Springs, if you don’t realise that every now and then your streets will be filled, then don't buy

the district diary

April 2018 1 Easter Sunday Your last chance this season to take a guided tour of Pop-Up Globe Theatre. A 45 minute tour that will unlock the secrets of this unique performance space and explore the history of the playhouses Shakespeare wrote for. The Shakespeare Gardens, Ellerslie Racecourse, 80 Ascot Ave, 11.30am. Tickets from eventfinda.co.nz or at the door (subject to availability) 5 The Vegan Truck Stop will be a regular, monthly thing in 2018. Vegan food, indoor and outdoor seating and live music while you graze. La Cigale, St Georges Bay Rd, 5-9pm

Parenting Workshop is a night full of tips and ideas for ways you can minimise waste in your home, especially if you have young kids in the house. Ellerslie War Memorial Hall, 138 Main Highway, 7-9.30pm. Limited spaces, free goodie bag with ticket purchase, eventfinda.co.nz 11 The Volcanic City Voices all-comers choir is recruiting. For a free trial, head along to St Lukes Church, 130 Remuera Rd, 7.159.30pm. For more info, call 021 677 778 or email mel@thechoir.co.nz

19 The volunteer cooks at Highwic will be busy baking up a storm on the authentic Victorian coal range, using recipes your grandma would remember. Pop in for a look; if you’re lucky there might just be something to taste too. Door sales only, $10 adults, kids are free. 11am-2pm, 40 Gillies Ave 21 The Tiny Tot Groovers Family Disco will be a fun event for preschool/primary-aged children with lights, dancing and musical mayhem, fun activities and food. Orakei Community Centre, 156 Kepa Rd, 2-5pm. $5 per child – kids please bring an adult, adults please bring a kid/s!

7 Parnell District School’s Twilight Fete promises an evening of fun, food, entertainment, rides, stalls and more, for the whole community. At the school, 3-7pm

8 The Cornwall Park District School fair is on today, rain or shine. A huge range of stalls, food court, games, fun rides. Free, 10am-2pm, 193 Greenlane West 9 A humourous, entertaining and inspirational event, Kate Meads’ Waste Free

Against the backdrop of war, composer Anthony Ritchie brings to musical life the experiences of ordinary people, from their songs, diary entries, letters and poems. Soloists Jenny Wollerman and Jarvis Dams join Auckland Choral and others, for Gallipoli to the Somme. Holy Trinity Cathedral,, 7.30-9.30pm, tickets from eventfinda.co.nz 18 The third Wednesday of every month U3A has guest speakers, presentations and morning tea for seniors, at the Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Rd, 9.30am

5-8 “Aue, rawakore Yorick. I mohio ahua ia, Horatio.” See local students bring Shakespeare’s 400-year-old words and works to life, as part of Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ’s University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival 2018. Students will perform five and 15 minute scenes; anything from a steam punk Romeo and Juliet to te reo Hamlet. At Diocesan, Clyde St, Thu/Fri 4pm, Sat 9am-2pm, door sales only $10 adult $5 student

7-8 Not only is it a two-for-one deal, it’s a healthy, environmentally friendly two-fer! The Auckland Go Green Expo and Better Food Fair will be together under one roof for NZ’s largest sustainable lifestyle show combined with a street eats/food market. One ticket gives access to both shows, Sat 10am-7pm and Sunday 10am-5pm, tickets from $5 at eventbrite.co.nz, ASB Showgrounds, 217 Greenlane West

and hidden themselves amongst the taonga! Grab a trail map from the Atrium information desk and take part in the museum’s LEGO Treasure Hunt, Domain Dr, 10am-5pm every day to April 29

25 Mark the 102nd Anzac Day at local services. There’s dawn (6am) or 11am at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, or gather at Minto St for the 9am parade to College Rifles, for the club’s observance ceremony. 13 Last day of Term 1 for most schools 14 Fresh fruit and veges, meat, flowers, bakery and deli produce, every Saturday from 8am to noon at the Parnell Farmers’ Market, Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Rd Some of the bricks at the Auckland War Memorial Museum’s blockbuster LEGO exhibition Brickman: Wonders of the World (see King Kong, above) have escaped

the hobson 41

28 If you’ve got a dog – or even if you don’t have one – The Big Dog Walk With Lots Of Dogs at Waiatarua Reserve is a fun way to support doggies in need. Entry is by gold coin and there will be ‘woof packs’ filled with treats and branded gear, with all profits going to the charity For Lots of Dogs. 98 Abbots Way, 9am-12pm 30 Term 2 starts for most schools

the cryptic by mĀyĀ

ACROSS

DOWN

6 Think long and hard about East Saigon (7) 7/18 The bounder’s mad! (5,4) 9 See 22 Down 10 Key, mad chap on TV, doesn’t half 21 (10) 11 Mountaintop shrouded in snow? Do this if you find the union objectionable (5,3) 13 Closest friend’s one of “The Boys” (not “A”) (6) 15 See 22 Down 17 Victorian child star swallowing light metal (5) 18 See 7 19 Creator of 17 across almost to start something 27 21 didn’t eat (unlike lettuces, French beans and radishes) (6) 20 We adore Lake Booby, a bird with feather tufts on its head (5,3) 23 Ulysses rested here (6,4) 26 The French accepting it’s “Lo-Cal” (4) 27 Potter’s 21 to stroke Queen (5) 28 In the right tavern to get turpentine! (7)

1 “A possible follower of Dot but less fair,” he moaned (10) 2 Nought to 49? May hold fuel! (6) 3 Letter obtained from a speculation? Contrariwise! (4) 4 I’m a piece of wood, unlike Jeeves (8) 5 Burberry, oddly, for a clever 21 (4) 6 Travel card dancing (as 21 might) (2,3) 8 H2O’s one, with reference to Eliza Doolittle living in Indiana (7) 12 Late 21 pursued by 17 across (5) 14 Making time for outhouse holding 100 upstart fish (10) 16 Touring where Grace Slick may have seen a 12 21? (2,1,4) 17 Where you might learn about ‘olbein an’ ‘ogarth? (And their talent) (8) 21 Teacher, leading Taoist, found in Burroughs I’m told (6) 22/9 Across/15 Across Dilutes groovy home for 21s (9,4) 24 Mad about knockout (4) 25 Toad Hall squatters send good bloke off to get breakfast cereal (4)

Set by Māyā. Answers will appear in our next issue (May 2018). Can’t wait, or need help? Visit https://thehobsoncrossword.wordpress.com/

MARCH CRYPTIC CROSSWORD ANSWERS Across: 1/4D Under the Mountain, 4 Tigresses, 9 Summate, 10/26 Extinct volcano, 11 Rangitoto, 13 Rupee, 14 Pit, 15 Manipulate, 18 Great-aunts, 21/23 Red heads, 25 Neediness, 28/5 Maurice Gee, 29 Streetcar, 30 Ease Down: 1 Unstraps, 2 Dominator, 3 Realism, 6 Enthral, 7 Sunup, 8 Settee, 12 Oppenheimer, 16 Turneries, 17 Odysseus, 19 At stake, 20 Seizure, 22 Shoves, 24 Abler, 27 Orc

the hobson 42

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