may 2018
cheers mum! local news, views & informed opinions
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A past to celebrate, a future to embrace Old Boys, current and past parents, and all friends of the School are invited to register to take part in a week of events to celebrate our sesquicentennial from 17-24 May, 2019.
Register today grammar150th.ags.school.nz
As always, thank you to our partners Founding Partners
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Bronze Partners
Contact Felicity Rosenberg, 150th Co-ordinator f.rosenberg@ags.school.nz or 623 5400 ext 560
The May Issue, No. 48 8
29
44
the editor’s letter
the arts
the second act
10
The Auckland Art Fair returns. Codirector Stephanie Post talks about the highlights with Mary Fitzgerald
A trip to Japan reinforces familial ties for Sandy Burgham
the columnists
the magpie + remuera
12
Our discerning bird finds Mother’s Day gifts all tied up with bows in Remuera
the village Grammar looks forward to a big anniversary, a community act of grace, Baradene’s annual art show, neighbourhood happenings, and more
46 the pretty
21
Justine Williams lets her senses lead her to beautiful gift ideas
the councillors News from local ward councillors Desley Simpson (Ōrākei) and on page 22, Mike Lee (Waitematā)
47 the auckland foundation CEO Delwyn Stuart’s bi-monthly column
23 the politicians
47
Local members David Seymour and Paul Goldsmith share their updates
the teacher Judi Paape is encouraged by new thinking in education
24 the investment
48
Warren Couillault on the history that’s lead to the brink of a US-China trade war
25 the plan Hamish Firth goes back to the drawing board on a waterfront stadium
29 the suburbanist special Tommy Honey runs his eye over the design of three new better living developments
45
the sound Andrew Dickens is still championing Ed Sheeran — with some minor notes of reservation
37 the portfolio It’s the Mother’s Day special — with words of received wisdom from our local hospitality folk
49 the district diary What’s happening in May
50
42 the hobson + stephen marr Stephen Marr salons celebrate mothers
the cryptic Our puzzle, by Māyā. Hint: some answers are local
Matthew Griffin, Unapologetic, charcoal on Fabriano paper, hand drawn. At the Baradene Art Show (The Village, page 20)
All’s Fair Enjoy the glittering gala opening night of the Auckland Art Fair, courtesy of The Hobson and the Art Fair. We have two tickets to give away to one lucky reader to the Wednesday, May 23 event, at The Cloud. The tickets also allow you access to the fair over the next four days too. To win these two passes, email business@thehobson.co.nz with “Art Fair” in the subject line by 5pm, Sunday May 13. Please include your address so the tickets can be couriered to you. The winning name will be picked at random. The fine print: By entering this competition, you agree that your email details will be retained by The Hobson for our marketing database
the hobson 6
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issue 48, may 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
elcome to our May issue, no 48 in the life, so far, of The Hobson. We started publishing in September 2013, initially distributing to Parnell and most of Remuera. Since then, we’ve pushed south, further along Remuera Rd, and eastwards across the bay to Ōrākei too. It’s great that people are still discovering us, and even more are getting in touch. In recent weeks, I’ve had more calls than ever before, from readers to pass on feedback, request more information or to ask to be connected with someone featured in one of our stories. Or even just to say how much they like receiving the magazine in their letterbox. We love the feedback, so thank you, and do keep in touch — you can also now contact us via our (finally) overhauled website, thehobson.co.nz, where you can also find digital copies of our back issues, highlighted stories and links to our Facebook and Instagram feeds. Enjoy the issue, and to all the mother-figures and great women in our community, we hope you’re acknowledged with love on Sunday May 13.
Writers This Issue Kirsty Cameron, Gretchen Carroll, Mary Fitzgerald, Amanda Harkness, Tommy Honey, Justine Williams Sub-editor Fiona Wilson
Kirsty Cameron editor@thehobson.co.nz 0275 326 424 Facebook: The Hobson magazine Instagram: TheHobson
Columnists Sandy Burgham, Warren Couillault, Andrew Dickens, Hamish Firth, Paul Goldsmith, Mike Lee, Māyā, David Seymour, Desley Simpson
Photographers Olivia Kirkpatrick, Stephen Penny Cover Local hospo man Anthony Browne, photographed at his Brothers Beer Ōrākei bar by Stephen Penny. See The Portfolio, page 37
Isn’t he sweet? We featured our The Plan columnist, Hamish Firth, and his Parnell beehives on the cover of our October 17 issue, and at Easter, we received a surprise delivery of the honey. Just delicious.
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
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
DON’T MISS Our special editorial feature with Stephen Marr on page 42 has a great offer for Mother’s Day. Check it out!
Are you receiving The Hobson Weekly? Sign up by email (hellothehobson@gmail.com) or via our Facebook or thehobson.co.nz
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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 Hobson’s News Editor. A Mainlander who transplanted to Remuera 14 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 34 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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Town & Around
GRAMMAR GIVES BACK In a year’s time, Auckland Grammar School will formally mark its 150th anniversary. As part of the lead-up to the school’s sesquicentenary, Grammar has started a program of community service, where every class will contribute 150 hours of good works. Grammar has a long history of service to the community. From as far back as May 1869, when the school first opened its doors in Howe St in central Auckland, both students and staff have been encouraged to give back to the community, both here in New Zealand and abroad. The school supports World Vision, Habitat for Humanity, Books in Schools and various welfare and charity organisations that look after lessfortunate, disadvantaged and sometimes disabled members of the community. It also has a relationship with two charities in India, Future Hope and the Jungle Crows and every two years, a group of students travel to Mumbai and Kolkata to work with children in the care of those charities.
Top, the school on its Mountain Rd site in 1930, and photographed again from the air in 2006
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Top: current 7th formers at the Auckland City Mission, below, students on hand at the Elizabeth Knox rest home
The school’s Headmaster’s Committees, set up in 1994, furthers that work through environmental, social awareness, cultural, welfare and heritage groups, which the students are invited to join. “Service is an integral part of what is often referred to as ‘The Grammar Way’,” says headmaster Tim O’Connor, “By setting very high standards, demanding excellence across all aspects of daily life, and encouraging the development of the whole person, we work to produce young men who will make a positive contribution to society. “With this sense of community and service in mind, the school’s upcoming 150th anniversary has provided us with an opportunity to consider how we can further contribute to the community in a meaningful way.” Starting in July, Grammar pupils will be asked to each contribute five hours of service to the community — with approximately 30 students per class, it will see each class contribute 150 hours — leading up to the formal sesquicentenary celebrations next May. With some 2500 students on the roll, the cumulative effect will be around 12,500 hours donated to Auckland. Shepherding the service project is associate headmaster Ben Skeen and anniversary co-coordinator, Felicity Rosenberg. “As you might imagine, coordinating form year cohorts of 500 boys into meaningful community work is taking quite some planning and logistics to ensure its success,” says Skeen. Initial plans will see Form 5 (Year 11 — Grammar refers to school years by forms) and Form 6 (Year 12) students taking part in a significant tree planting program with Regional Parks in July. The Form 3 and 4 (Year 9 and 10) students will assist local community groups during their activity week later in the year, while in early 2019, the most senior pupils, form 7 (Year 13) will work with the Auckland City Mission. For the anniversary itself in May 2019, a full program of events has been planned with invitations extended to current and past families, old boys and the wider Grammar community. “We have worked with old boys and parents to craft a seven-day program for next May, kicking off with a special assembly for the Grammar family on Friday May 17, the actual date of the school’s
the village
birthday,“ says Scott Milne, (class of ’69), chair of the 150th committee. “The weekend will see the annual rivalry of the Grammar versus King’s College 1st XV match on our top field, and on Sunday, May 19, a thanksgiving service in the Main Hall, followed by Grammar’s first ever Open Day. “The next week is for our young men, with inspirational old boy speakers at assembly, and performances. We’ll wind up the week with a grand celebratory dinner at Eden Park on Friday, May 25. We want the community to join us in this week-long celebration as Grammar gives back, and thanks those who have made the school what it is today.” — Amanda Harkness For further information about Grammar’s 150th, contact Felicity Rosenberg on (09) 623 5600, or f.rosenberg@ags.school.nz p
A QUIET ACT OF GRACE
Weekly night food markets are coming to Remuera from Wednesday, May 9. Stalls and foodtrucks will be set up between 4pm and 10pm in the lower half of the Clonbern Rd carpark. A new Orākei Local Board business awards scheme to be introduced this year recognises the commercial side of the local community. “The awards aim to foster a sense of pride around the local business community, while communicating to the wider public the quality commercial offerings in the ward,” says board member Ros Rundle. “For individual business owners it is a chance to celebrate their success, as recognised by their peers and the community.” Deputy chair Kit Parkinson believes the awards will bring the local business sector together. “We value the contribution businesses make to our community and see the awards as a way to recognise and say thank you for what they do,” he says. More detail on the awards will be announced midyear. Auckland’s Outdoor Boating Club has become the third facility in Australasia to receive international Blue Flag certification, indicating a commitment to maintaining coastal environments. The Blue Flag places the OBC among an elite group of facilities in 45 countries that are serious about educating and performing environmentally-responsibly. The Blue Flag focus is on environmental management, education and information, boat safety and service facilities, and on water quality.
State of Grace East funerals has made a meaningful impact on the comfort of funeral goers at Purewa, with a donation of a park bench. “Often families accompany their loved one to the crematorium to hand them over to the staff there, either following a service elsewhere, or for a direct cremation that will be followed by a memorial service at a later date,” says State of Grace East funeral director and owner, Janet Mikkelsen. “We were concerned that families did this important and meaningful act, and then had to just get in their cars and head back to their normal lives. We felt that they needed somewhere they could reflect for a few minutes together as a family.” State of Grace East conducts the majority of their cremations at Purewa, and has developed a great relationship with the staff there, she says, so it was a collaborative next step to seek approval from the board and management of Purewa to install a bench. The new seat overlooks the gardens, and is close to the entrance of the crematorium. “Already families are using it and the team are really proud to have brought this idea to fruition,” says Mikkelsen. p
AROUND THE VILLAGE The lower end of Remuera’s Portland Rd is to be raised to address flooding issues that have plagued that section of the street for years. Orākei ward councillor Desley Simpson says it is something that residents have wanted fixed for a long time. “I am delighted to confirm that a business case has been approved and is proceeding to detailed design stage at the moment. All going well, the works will be consented, put out for tender and will be ready for a start date during the second half of next year,” she says. the hobson 14
St Peter’s College students will begin a worm farming project courtesy of the Waitematā Local Board. The Board has made an $870 grant to set up three worm farms, where the crawlers can feast on the food waste generated at the school each day. Worm castings will then be used by the property manager and in the Trees for Survival programme. St Peter’s is working to have zero waste to landfill by 2040, and formed a sustainability group last year. Fancy growing your own vegetables, keeping a few chickens, or making your own kombucha? The Parnell Community Trust has been granted $1000 by the Waitematā Local Board for costs associated with its popular Sustainable Urban Living workshops. A series of community workshops covering everything from composting to ethical consumerism will be held at the Jubilee Building across the year, see parnell.org.nz for workshop details. The April 10 and 11 storms and high winds wreaked havoc all over the city, with much of Remuera left without power for extended periods. Damage from, and to, trees was significant, with streets blocked with branches — on Market Rd, the entrance to St Cuthbert’s was barred by an uprooted mature tree, roots and all. Ōrākei councillor Desley Simpson was one local resident who ended up with someone else’s outdoor
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the village
furniture in her garden (and a damaged roof) — see her column and questions for Vector on page 21. The 100kph gusting winds also saw historic monuments toppled, such as this headstone above in St Stephens Cemetery, Parnell (photo courtesy Rendell McIntosh). — Around The Village reporting by Mary Fitzgerald p
THE STORY OF . . . Our neighbourhood is dotted with commemorative plaques, some historic, some more recent. In a new item each month, Mary Fitzgerald looks at the story behind a dedication.
Ōhinerau Mt Hobson War Memorial Seat In Remuera, the amble up from Remuera Rd to the summit of Ōhinerau Mt Hobson offers wonderful panoramic views across Auckland, and also the opportunity to reflect on the local servicemen who died in WWII. The fallen are honoured a few hundred metres from the beginning of the track, in a brass plaque on a stone memorial seat that looks over a daffodil field on the slopes of the maunga. The plaque reads, “This seat was given by residents of Remuera in memory of boys who played on the slopes of the mountain and who made the supreme sacrifice in World War II”. According to the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, in 1948 members of the Remuera Garden Club gathered and mass planted daffodils to honour the servicemen, and in 1958 the war memorial seat was built to overlook the daffodil field. The daffodils still bloom each spring, and the Maunga Authority has agreed they will remain as a feature of the mountain. p
TEA TIME IN REMUERA
IS MY NEW CV THE VALUE OF MY HOME?
The stirrings of the next big thing are brewing in Remuera, with the launch of The Tea Curator, a tea subscription service. Developed by local Anna Kydd from her Remuera home, she believes Aucklanders will catch on to specialty teas. Kydd came up with the idea of a subscription service because she says there are so many different teas, it can be bamboozling. There are six different types of tea — black, fermented, oolong, green, yellow and white. All made from the same plant, camellia sinensis, the difference is in how they are processed after the leaf is plucked, creating 2000 different varieties. Herbal teas such as peppermint and camomile, are tisanes or infusions. Kydd’s passion for a great cup of tea came while living — perhaps not surprisingly — in London, where she did a tea tasting masterclass on a whim. “The world of tea blew me away,” she says. “There’s a huge opportunity with tea. It’s a beautiful world waiting to be found.” The fire lit, in 2015 she trained as a tea master with the Australian Tea Masters Association in Melbourne. Two babies and a return to living in Auckland led Kydd to step away from her career in corporate communications, to focus on tea. “Artisan teas are a big thing in London, with New York second and Australia catching up. There you’ll find specialty tea shops, and food and tea pairings at restaurants.” Subscribers receive two loose-leaf teas (one dark and one light) in a smart box each month, along with information on origin, flavour profile and brewing instructions. She believes committed coffee drinkers can make room in their lives for a cup of good tea. “A lot of people are starting to change their habits with coffee and specialty tea is a nice alternative. All the different types of tea have caffeine, but how much depends on multiple factors. It also has antioxidants and is a healthy drink.” Her own favourite tea depends on her mood. “Generally I start the day with black tea and go lighter as the day goes on, having about 10 small cups in all. “I’m a believer in doing something good for yourself every day. Nourishing pleasures are things which are nice in themselves, as opposed to guilty pleasures. The act of brewing and tasting is a mindful activity. It’s more than just a cup of tea, it’s self-care.” — Gretchen Carroll p To celebrate the launch of The Tea Curator, we will be giving away two tea subscriptions via The Hobson Weekly: see page 8 for sign up details. For more information, see theteacurator.co.nz
It feels as though the market has swallowed the pill on our change of Government and has settled into the New Year with a let’s get on with it attitude. This is translating into many homes coming to the market and for us anyway, a much higher sales volume. The sticking point however is with reference to the new CVs. The prevailing attitude towards CVs has been that they are less than market value. In the past sellers have generally assumed that they should achieve a price greater than CV and buyers similarly have accepted that market value is most often in excess of the CV. This is causing confusion for sellers, while buyers are assuming they will have to pay a figure beyond their perception of value and are not pursuing the interest they may have in a particular property.
In short every situation is different. If you’re wondering where your property sits relative to your CV please give me a call at any time.
Philip Oldham M 021 921 031 philip.oldham@uprealestate.co.nz
LICENSED AGENT REAA 2008
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David Seymour MP For Epsom
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Authorised by David Seymour, Suite 2.4, Level 2, 27 Gillies Avenue, Newmarket, AKL
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Contact me for an appointment ph 09 522 7464 mpepsom@ parliament.govt.nz
Meet Your Reps
F
irst term Waitematā Local Board member Adriana Avendano Christie is also the boss and co-founder of The Pallet Kingdom, which upcycles pallets into funky furniture and art to stop them ending up in landfill. The Eden Terrace resident stood for the board to make a positive impact on her community, she told Mary Fitzgerald.
Why did you stand for this role? When I was little I lived in Bogota, Colombia, where the mayor successfully transformed Bogota with mass public transport, C=100 M=68 Y=0 K=12cycling lanes, playgrounds, and sports facilities. My life changed significantly and I realised what effective local government could achieve. I work in entrepreneurship with start-ups and social enterprises, and want to see them thrive.
C=0 M=9 Y=79 K=0
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What board portfolios are you responsible for? I lead the economic development portfolio and am looking forward R=255 G=218 B=55 to seeing how we can implement strategies to support businesses. I am also privileged to be Shale Chambers’ alternate for park Level 2, 27 Gillies Avenue, Newmarket R=0 G=64 B=139 MP For Epsom and community facilities. We have incredible parks and we will continue work to improve them, while maintaining their heritage. Authorised by David Seymour, Suite 2.4, Level 2, 27 Gillies Avenue, Newmarket, AKL Promoted by David Seymour, MP for Epsom, 27 Gillies Avenue, Newmarket
Epsom Electorate Office David Seymour
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Since being elected what have you achieved? I’m quite focussed on the small things, because they can fall through the cracks. I’ve been involved with weed issues in our parks, and with transport too, things like pedestrian safety. What things do you intend to achieve in your role and why are they important to you? I’d like to continue in championing certain projects in parks. There are a few playgrounds that need a complete overhaul, and there’s also the potential to enhance certain parks, especially as areas get more diverse. Then there’s working in the economic development portfolio with ATEED and business associations to find strategies that help our economy thrive. Tell us something about yourself that will surprise your community. I like to call myself a hybrid — my mother is Kiwi, my father Colombian. I was born in Colombia and moved here to study, the best decision ever, because I love this city. If you were PM, what would you do to improve Auckland? Ban plastic bags. Adopt sustainability practices. Invest in infrastructure and improve our waterways. Our homeless need houses. What is your favourite escape in Auckland? Definitely the Waitakere ranges, although I have made the decision not to go, to support the rahui to protect kauri. I also love going for runs up and down Omaha Beach. Tell us about your family. My father quit his job to open an orphanage with my mother — I once had 30 brothers and sisters, all street kids whose parents were addicts, sex workers, or just gone. Then they opened a kindergarten. Almost 20 years later, it’s now a school in Bogota. They are both incredible people.
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I would like to give you the exclusive information about what is happening in the Hobson area. Would you like to receive a free Exclusive Market Report detailing market trends in Real Estate and recent sales in your suburb or the suburb you would like to buy in? Receive all the recent sales straight to your inbox. Please contact me on kenneth.webb@raywhite.com or 021 911 734 to receive the Exclusive Market Report.
Kenneth Webb | Licensee Salesperson | 021 911 734 | kenneth.webb@raywhite.com Black Group Realty Limited (Licensed REAA 2008)
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the village
BARADENE IN THE PICTURE Thanks to the energy of successive committees of dedicated parents, Baradene College of the Sacred Heart will this month hold its 29th annual art fair. The College’s major fundraising event, this year’s Art Show opens with an already sold-out gala night on Friday May 18, and runs across the weekend, with more than 800 diverse works offered for sale. “With a show this size, there truly is something for every taste and budget,” says Art Show chair Justine Williams. “There’s more than 140 established and emerging artists showcasing and selling everything from classic art styles, including paintings, works in ceramic, glass and bronze, right through to large-scale sculpture. “With such a massive following, the art show committee works its socks off to change up the featured artists by around 50 per cent each year,” says Williams. “We love to present a mix of emerging and very well-known names in the art world, to keep it exciting and relevant as a community event with real heart, and an important fundraising revenue stream for the College.” Entry to the Art Show weekend is free. There’s an on-site café, and works will be displayed both in the College’s hall, annexes and grounds. The Baradene Art Show opens on Friday May 18 (the opening night gala is sold out) and continues over the weekend of Saturday 19 and Sunday 20. For more information about the show and artists, see baradeneartshow.co.nz p
Clockwise from top left: Gus Leen, Conic lamp, natural finished bamboo; Robin Scott, Flight, oil on board; Cathy Carter, Immersion Emergence, archival Giclee print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag; Dalene Meiring, A Beautiful Place, oil on canvas; Mat Scott, Te huruhuru Kawau (gannet), Kwila; Betty Chung, Tickled Pink, porcelain clay, glaze; Helen Bankers, The Masters, Peonies, C type photograph on archival Hahnemuhle Photo Rag; Ekaterina Dimieva, Purple Mood, acrylic on canvas.
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the councillors
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Your wheelie bin goes missing or is damaged. Do you need to pay for a new one? No. Call (09) 301 0101 and request a new one or a repair. It should arrive within 10 working days. Maintenance of public spaces. Your local park has overflowing rubbish bins — our contractors should be keeping these clean — however if you do see this, please notify the call centre. Customer services staff will log the job to be completed within a day. Importantly, if you do see something that is a risk to public safety in a park or street, such as a damaged railing, broken step or a fallen branch, please report this. Issues that pose a risk to the public are priority. Enforcement of by-laws or regulatory rules: if you see anyone doing something that you think might be illegal or is causing you some harm (excessive noise, roaming or barking dogs, illegal building works, cars parked too close to your driveway) again, the call centre is the first port of call. Council relies on complaints to know where there has been a breach, so that they can take enforcement action. When making a complaint about someone else, your identity is confidential and will not be passed on to anyone. Whilst this is a brief overview of things that the Council call centre can do, I trust it’s helpful. I’m always available on email, desley.simpson@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz, or on 021 971 786. I also work closely with the Ōrākei Local Board on issues within their delegation. To those who were impacted by the recent storm and loss of power, my sympathy to you. Hurricane winds of up to 140kph hit Auckland and over 100,000 homes and businesses lost power — it affected my own home. We and our neighbours had roof damage and no power for a number of hours. Power outages are the responsibility of Vector, not Council. Vector had over 100 crew out working 24-hours to restore power and fix damage, and called in others from outside the region to assist, for which we thank them. However, there are a number of questions I’ll be following up with Vector, as we seem to be having power losses more frequently. What is the main reason for the outages? Trees vs power lines, or aged infrastructure? What is the strategy for undergrounding powerlines, and the reasoning behind prioritisation of locations? Why did the Vector site and mobile app fail during this time of crisis for many Aucklanders? I’ll keep you posted on their response.
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DESLEY SIMPSON
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s your elected representative, I’m often contacted by people who raise concerns that Auckland Council isn’t doing its job in some way or other. It’s part of my job to listen, to work with you and the myriad of Council departments, to try and find a solution to those problems. Sometimes that is easy, and other times it can feel frustratingly slow. From the very big to the very small, I hear it all, and whilst my door is always open and I remain committed to assist you in any way I can, I thought I would highlight some of the more common concerns I receive. While Council has many departments and is a complex organisation, in my opinion it should not be up to the public to work out how to navigate the organisation. The key point, is that the first point of contact for virtually anything you might want from Council is the call centre, on (09) 301 0101. Generally, when you’re contacting Council, you want us to fix or do something for you, or you want information on a subject, or to understand what your responsibilities are. Sometimes, there are rules associated with your request that are set by regulations or by-laws (such as home improvements or removing some trees). Sometimes there are no rules. It’s always handy to check that out first. So what are some of the common concerns? Orange road cones have appeared on a street near you – what is going on? Auckland Transport maintains a list of current road works on their website which will give you the basic information about start and finish dates of work: at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/ road-works-disruptions. You can also call AT on (09) 355 3553 to find out more. Sometimes you just want Council to do something and in these cases, the call centre can also help arrange the works for council staff and contractors to carry out. Some examples are:
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Desley Simpson is the Councillor for Auckland representing the Ōrākei ward
Yes, even Mahé needs a navigator. J U S T N O T O N T H E W AT E R
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the councillors
MIKE LEE
H
istorian Barbara Tuchman’s acclaimed The March of Folly: From Troy to Vietnam was about “the pervasive presence, through the ages, of failure, mismanagement, and delusion in government – contrary to its own self interest”. I think about Tuchman whenever the question of rail to Auckland International Airport comes up. There could be no more graphic example of her thesis than the decision to rule out the possibility of trains servicing our airport. Since NZTA and Auckland Transport took this foolish decision in mid-2016, the new mayor Phil Goff, and now the Labour-led government, have fallen into lockstep (cheered on by the Greens, but not by Winston Peters, who favours heavy rail). The airport is of critical economic importance to Auckland and to New Zealand – it is the premier gateway to the country. Despite hundreds of millions of dollars spent on road construction in recent years, congestion on the route to the city is already near where it was 10 years ago, chronic at peak times, periodically gridlocked. With airport passenger movements currently 19 million per year and predicted to increase to 40 million by 2040, this chronic congestion can only become worse — with dire consequences. It need not be so. Following on from work initiated by the former Auckland Regional Council, in September 2011 a multi-agency study involving Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, NZTA, KiwiRail, Auckland International Airport Ltd, and GHD consultants, examined light rail (trams), busway and heavy rail (electric train) options, and concluded that a heavy rail loop from Onehunga, 10km to the airport and 6.8km from Puhinui on the main trunk line, would be the ‘most economically efficient’ solution. It would provide a fast, single-seat journey from airport to downtown Auckland, including the future CRL stations; and all points on the rail network, including, ultimately Hamilton.
In 2012, this recommendation became a commitment in the Council’s Auckland Plan: ‘route protect a dedicated rail connection in the first decade (2011-2020); construct in the second decade (2021-2030)’ – after the CRL. However these carefully laid plans, as so often happens, were overturned by AT bureaucrats, claiming a tram travelling from the CBD to the airport via Dominion Rd — despite 20 tram stops, numerous intersections and a 50 kph speed limit — would get to the airport within one minute of an electric train travelling up to 110 kph. In late 2016, the favoured Onehunga– Mangere rail corridor was deliberately blocked by AT, when it demolished the Neilson St overbridge to the south of Onehunga train station, placing the road straight across the rail corridor. Melbourne has the most highly developed light rail system in the world. Unlike Auckland however, the Victorian government is NOT planning on light rail for new links to its international airport, but heavy rail. This on the grounds that trains provide a faster, more predictable journey-time, and can carry a lot more people and luggage than trams. Late last month, Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull announced a A$5 billion Federal government contribution to building four dedicated heavy rail routes between Melbourne Airport and the CBD. It would seem then there is a yawning gap opening up between the views of Aucklanders and our own political class. To most Aucklanders I speak to, the idea of trams to the airport remains something of a joke – now not so funny given the cost of $4 billion just for an airport and Westgate tram line. Aucklanders are being told they will have to pay for this not only in rates, but also in a doublewhammy fuel tax. What is extraordinary is that on the advice of tyro transport ministers Phil Twyford and Julie-Ann Genter, this tax is to be imposed for a project that has no business case. Trams to the airport will provide an inferior traveller experience, be slower to build, provide a slower journey, serve a more restricted catchment and be much more expensive than extending the existing rail network. Why on earth isn’t the new government capitalising on the huge public investment going into the City Rail Link? The feasible alternative option of connecting Auckland airport to the electrified main trunk line at Puhinui has been costed by one recent study at around $750m. This rail corridor must be protected urgently before this option too is sabotaged. Mike Lee is the Councillor for Auckland representing the Waitematā and Gulf ward
the politicians
DAVID SEYMOUR
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PAUL GOLDSMITH
na-Carolina Bircham will be turning five around the time that this edition of The Hobson reaches you. When people come to my office for help with an issue, it is in the strictest confidence, but this case has been well publicised. And, with Ana-Carolina’s parents’ permission, I’d like to share a little about what can happen at the margins of our generally very good healthcare system, because it is a cautionary tale for all of us. Ana-Carolina has an extremely rare condition that has left her, since age six months, tetraplegic and reliant on a ventilator to breathe. She has lived in Starship Hospital’s Paediatric Intensive Care Unit ever since. Her parents are passionate and loving, they have been at the hospital, involved in her care, every single day since she was admitted. This has come at great personal cost to their careers and finances. They have not relied on handouts or welfare, they have battled on with a combination of their own resources, some very helpful pro bono lawyers, and a small team of dedicated supporters. There is no doubt that the healthcare professionals at the hospital are brilliant. They may be the best in the world, when you consider the resources available per capita in the NZ healthcare system. But AnaCarolina’s case has shown how unusual cases find the chinks in large public systems. The simple objective has been to get Ana-Carolina home with a fair package of care. An intensive care unit is a bad place for anyone to stay for an extended period, let alone four-and-a-half years. Without going into detail, and it is sworded, the ADHB have singularly failed at this task of project management. Two Ministers of Health have been involved. Jonathan Coleman assembled an impressive expert panel to oversee the transition home. Seven months after being appointed, the panel gave an interim report that no transition plan had been produced, leaving them with nothing to assess. In the same period, the Birchams had a transition plan produced privately that the panel found impressive, but could not be actioned without the cooperation of the ADHB. The upshot is tragic: Ana-Carolina remains stuck living in a hospital. Her parents continue to face enormous stress. The taxpayer continues to face extraordinary costs that could be substantially reduced by transitioning this little girl home. The whole saga is a cautionary tale about how big government really functions. When we hear that all that is needed is more taxpayer funds and more rules, it is worth remembering cases like this. With the best will in the world from the Minister of Health, many of the staff involved, staunch supporters, the parents, the law, and one local MP, it has so far been impossible to get a sensible outcome. At times there have been legal proceedings (against the hospital), surprising information acquired under the Official Information Act, and media coverage. But the inertia of a large government organisation has been too great for commonsense to prevail. Not all of the news is bad. Although Ana-Carolina’s condition is exceedingly rare and not well understood, she has made gains. She is medically stable and cognitively able. She shares the same interests as other little girls her age, and uses her eyes, fingers, and expressions to communicate. She enjoys her rare trips outside of the hospital and discovering the world. She needs to be living at home with her family – this would be the best fifth birthday present ever.
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uckland has a lot of things going for it. But surely the core of its beauty is the combination of glistening harbours and volcanic peaks. They add interest and form to the landscape. My favourite vantage point is from the northern slope of Mt Hobson, looking north over the trees and houses of Remuera, across the busy harbour to Rangitoto, and west over the green canopy of Epsom to the Waitakere Ranges. Ownership of the volcanic peaks was passed to local iwi in a recent settlement, though they are preserved as reserves for public recreation. Management of the reserves lies with the Maunga Authority, with its mix of iwi representatives and Auckland Council reps. Funding for maintenance comes from the council. That, as they say, is history, but the sad thing to my mind is that the Maunga Authority seems to have taken a fundamentalist attitude against grazing on these reserves, which has been the method of keeping them neat and tidy for a century or so. The reasons given for removing the animals are primarily spiritual. Mt Eden/Maungawhau was the first to go, some time ago. I used to love wandering along the tops, north of the crater. The sheep kept the grass beautifully and late in the evening or early in the morning, with the shadows alongside every hump and ridge, the form of the landscape was beautiful. It is now, frankly, an overgrown mess. A small army of weed-eaters is required to carve out a few paths for people to walk around. Future budgets are rising steeply to pay for this. One of these days, after a drought, the whole thing will go up in a fire. We’re paying more for a substantially worse outcome. Ōhinerau/Mt Hobson followed over the summer. A scythe is needed to make one’s way to some of the benches, where once we sat to look over the city. Weeds and rabbits are rampant. Now, there is a proposal to remove livestock from One Tree Hill. I for one would be sad to see the lovely slope that runs down the hill to the Observatory overgrown and rank like the tops of Mt Hobson and Maungawhau. Of course, Cornwall Park will retain its livestock as it is outside the Maunga Authority’s remit. My only hope is that if the One Tree Hill part of the reserve was allowed to go the way of Mt Eden and Mt Hobson, when people see the contrast between the two parts of one of the city’s most famous parks, they will be moved to action. I’m not sure that such a hard-line attitude to livestock, with no practical alternative means of keeping the cones neat and tidy, reflects the spirit of the agreement between iwi and the Crown. Perhaps it’s time for the Auckland Council part of the equation to show some leadership to maintain and restore some of the city’s greatest public assets. I’d be interested to know what The Hobson readers think. Feel free to drop me a note at paul.goldsmith@parliament. govt.nz
David Seymour is the MP for Epsom.
Paul Goldsmith is a National list MP, based in Epsom. the hobson 23
the investment
Eagle v Dragon
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he US and China are enemies: always have been and always will be. No-one should really be surprised about the current heightened tension between the US and China. Now a trade war is imminent, potentially involving hundreds of billions of dollars of trade and potentially hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of jobs. We should view this as a timely reminder of the geopolitical and economic reality that is before us and carefully consider the implications for our country, economy, market and investments. Looking back to the 1950s and 60s, the US vernacular referred to China as “Communist China”. China was an ally of the former Soviet Union and the US feared China would spread communism throughout Asia. This fear was a big factor in the US’s prolonged involvement in the costly Korean and Vietnam wars, essentially fighting forces backed by China. US-China ties only warmed after President Nixon visited China in 1972 in order to try to change the balances of power against the former Soviet Union. But the apparent warming of US-China ties was always on the basis of trying to contain the Soviet “menace”, and would likely return to a much more competitive status if the Soviet Union succumbed. Indeed, in 1995/6, soon after the Soviet Union collapsed, China and America were squabbling over Taiwan’s determination to become a democracy, which China saw as a threat and challenge to its sovereignty. China began large-scale military exercises to intimidate Taiwan, while in response, the US sent aircraft carriers to the region to demonstrate to China that it would protect its ally. (This, and more, was recounted to me by a retired US Senator whom I met in the mid-2000s). China backed off, but its leaders were furious that she had no way of countering America’s military or economic power. But events conspired to change things and set the world — and in particular the US-China relationship — on its current course. The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks distracted the US into wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and China was introduced into the World Trade Organization, which did not lead to China playing ball on the international trade scene as hoped. China has built up its military and economic capability since this time, to the detriment of the US, while the US was busy waging a global war on terrorism. The Trump administration openly accepts as fact that China is not genuinely friendly towards the US. She is a tough geopolitical, economic and diplomatic competitor, and getting stronger. I think the US is right to rattle the cage in this regard – no matter what retaliatory action China takes. Such a clash has been deferred many times over the years, but no longer. The US should not continue to sit back and idly see US manufacturing jobs effectively shipped to China on the back of its artificially-set, low currency. Postscript: I wrote after the surprise outcome of our last year of the “tax and transfer” approach to the economy that the Labour/ NZ First/Greens coalition would take. What have we seen so far is just that, and sadly there is more to come. Unfortunately, the left-leaning political ideologists have the blinkered view that they must tax people more and give these monies to chosen parts of the community. In just a few short months we’ve already seen this coalition spend big – and I’m talking in the billions: Shane Jones’ lolly bag provincial growth fund, welfare, first-year free for tertiary students, KiwiBuild, the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, the list goes on. Yes, cancelling National’s previously announced tax cuts does save a bit, but what of the shortfall to meet the spending? And where will the money come from to meet the inevitable demand for more spending that these left-leaning political ideologists cannot resist? You guessed it. — Warren Couillault
the plan
Stadia Standstill
W
e work for a number of parties who “lease” their sites from Auckland Council or Regional Facilities Auckland (“the RFA”). These include iconic sporting facilities. There has been an ongoing review of the facilities, and many are now operating on year-to-year leases, awaiting the various machinations to become clear. The goal is to make the best or most efficient use of our stadia, which have long run as standalone operations with no connection to other facilities. It has been a long process, made longer because the Warriors said “No way Jose” to Eden Park. If everyone has to move and one party won’t, then everything stalls. Eden Park seems to be an issue to many involved. There are loans and depreciation, and acts of Parliament, the maximum number of night events (16), the size and offering, and those pesky residents who do not seem to allow the facility to be used to its full potential. And then there is Mt Smart. We went to the Ed Sheeran concert and played our part in a great sing-along. It was great fun, but getting a drink or a hotdog is hard work and everything feels like it is temporary or about to break. And the whole surrounding area is soulless. Empty dark roads, no bars or restaurants, an industrial wasteland. Not a fit-for-purpose venue that filled three times over for the ginger ninja. So I wonder if a new purpose built waterfront stadium — paid for with the money that grows on trees — should be put back on the table. It would cater for rugby, league, big outdoor concerts and other extravaganzas, and be located where people want to be and where transport links and nodes are optimal. The image above right is a cut and paste of the Cake Tin (Wellington Regional Stadium), placed into the spare land down by Spark Arena. It would cantilever over the railway (with a purposebuilt station underneath) and Quay St. It would cater for say 35,000 people, and be multipurpose. Spark Arena, with its 12,000 seats, is in constant use and is perfect for many events, whether it be “Disney on Ice” or the Ice Princess herself, Celine Dion. As such, I suspect it would not take long for a new stadium to be seen as a real asset for Auckland. Funding will always be an issue. But I believe it can be done,
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perhaps by a similar public/private partnership that has helped Spark Arena, which cost approximately $94m, get off the ground. There will be real benefits to all, including Ngāti Whātua, who will benefit from a lease fee, the increased use of the public transport network, the CBD and the city as a whole, as we will have less to moan about as we don’t need to get to Mt Smart and Eden Park anymore. Council could also sell Mt Smart and maybe rezone some of it for commercial use, and parts of Eden Park would make a perfect seven-level retirement village. The area to the east of Spark Arena has always appeared underdeveloped. This is because there was a view protection plain to the Dilworth Terraces, protecting the view of them from certain vantage points. It seems that the view protection may not make its way into the new Unitary Plan, thus paving the way for much taller buildings and possibly a stadium on the site. This is not a new idea, and comes with a cost, but when you visit Melbourne and can pop out of a stadium and either walk into the CBD or public transport your way home, you have to think, is it time for Auckland to have the same? — Hamish Firth
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the suburbanist special feature
On the Princes St ridge,The International looks to Albert Park, the city and the harbour
Better by Design Our city and coastlines are rapidly being transformed with new ways to live, from higher-density neighbourhoods to entire new communities underway. The Hobson’s man with the urban eye, Tommy Honey, looks at three new developments where design is setting them apart, with great style
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he Unitary Plan is now firmly embedded, if not in our collective suburban psyche, at least in the rule books that govern what we can build and where. The world didn’t end, the bulldozers didn’t arrive overnight and our backyards didn’t plunge into shadow, eclipsed by towers of three-storey apartment buildings. Chicken Little can relax, at least for a while. What is happening is a gradual stratification of development as the surety of the rules guides homeowners and developers, nudging them in directions that will manage the growth of the city. “Gentle density” is the new buzzphrase, describing a range of small-scale options from detached houses through to three-and four-storey developments that respect their neighbours and context, stopping short of the larger multi-storey apartment blocks that rightly belong in urban centres. These larger developments are still occurring, but a subtle shift is happening within this market, where once apartment buildings were a cookie-cutter formula that delivered minimal area shoeboxes for the international student market (think Hobson and Symonds streets), or two-to-three bedroom standard apartments for others.
the hobson 29
the suburbanist
The International's urbane offering includes a pool, interiors designed by Rufus Knight, a residents' library and wine storage options.
Economics was the driver and space the expense; reducing the area of apartments was the goal and persuading buyers that minimalism was the new black, the marketing strategy. Many of the apartments were bought not by owner-occupiers but by investors for whom yield, not comfort, was paramount. Some developers are now turning away from this market and shifting their attention to people with large – and often, largely empty – houses in Parnell, Remuera, Mission Bay. These are discerning buyers with an expectation of quality that the apartment market often fails to deliver. They are looking to same-size, not down-size and, thanks to some perceptive developers attuned to their needs, they now have options.On lower Princes St adjacent to the Northern Club, work continues apace on The International, a refit of the Fonterra office building. Refit is probably not the appropriate word as this is a complete rebuild with the existing building completely stripped back. When finished the building will be enmeshed in a structural exoskeleton that will take much of the load of the building, allowing for greater freedom within. Developer Gary Groves of Sanctuary Group is enthusiastic about the quality they are aiming for, with the apartments having internal heights of 3m, central heat and air-conditioning and travertine throughout. He is particularly excited about the level of amenity planned which he says will set the building apart from others like it, offering “more for less”. When complete, the building will have a Japanese garden, a live-in 24-hour concierge service, a 20-seat cinema, library and a 100m2 private dining room for 20 – all for the apartment owners. There has also been much interest in the private wine cellar, where owners can keep their collections.
the hobson 30
Parnell's Edition,this page, will face its street frontage with Italian glass blocks. The Churton St site allows for harbour views. Resident amenities include interiors by Bureaux, and courtyard gardens at lower levels
the suburbanist
Groves is conscious that people leaving established homes in the suburbs have high expectations of quality and which he anticipates The International will exceed. The apartments are large and generous and the level of amenity high – all for what he says will be delivered with body corporate fees around half those of a similar development nearby. Jasmax did the initial design and Marchese Partners, a multi-national Melbourne-based practice, is completing the architectural work; noted interior designer Rufus Knight is responsible for the interiors. The penthouse on level 17 has sold to an international owner and there are “sub-penthouses” on levels 15 and 16, which were recently reconfigured in the plans to give them more space, responding to market feedback. They will be built to higher specifications with Boffi kitchens and wardrobes, Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, electric blinds, smart home automation and priority access in the lifts. Groves is proud that none of the apartments have been sold to investors, noting that owner-occupiers don’t want to rub shoulders with temporary residents. His view is that those owners interested in quality are prepared to pay for it, whereas investors are only interested in tenants – who by their nature, have little ongoing investment in the building. By the end of the year building will start on a quiet street in Parnell on Edition, a luxury development of 19 apartments with an understated and elegant architecture. Developed by the LEP Group and designed by Monk Mackenzie, architects known for their luxury villas at Kinloch on Lake Taupo, the apartments will have interiors exclusively designed by Bureaux, right down to the furniture. The site’s topography allows for four stories above street level, with two floors of apartments below that and two further floors of underground parking. The street façade is a diaphanous screen of Italian-made glass blocks, floating effortlessly on a cantilevered concrete slab. The screen will reflect the street and its minimalist detailing will mean it will disappear against the sky, reducing the impact of the building. This minimalism pervades the building with floor-to-ceiling glass and slim floor slabs that allow the corners of the living areas to disappear. The design images show a building that positively gleams and suggests a development focussed on quality and contemporary design. Apartments range in size from 81m2 for the one-bedroom unit to 248m2 for the largest three-bedroom. Nearly all of the apartments have a separate media room or study and at least two carparks each – catering for those media commentators fearing the demise of the car. As with The International, the level of finish is very high and the spaces generous. The entrance from the street will be wide and spacious, with a travertine lobby flanked by spiral staircases, all surrounded by glass, contributing to the floating sensation. There are two apartments at this level carefully concealed behind the public areas. The apartments at the lowest level will have garden terraces and those at the highest levels, spectacular views across the harbour. For those looking to move out of the suburbs and closer to the city, Edition sets a new standard for city-fringe development where space, architecture and quality are equally valued. However, for some, letting go of the family house can be too much and instead they are investing in a house by the beach. Alas, available land is getting scarce and, as a result, unaffordable and out of reach. Many beach developments are based on the idea of isolation – large lots where you are unaware of your neighbour. But for many, the nostalgia for the Kiwi bach is predicated on community and the notion of shared space. Boathouse Bay is a development at the northern end of Snell’s Beach that capitalises on this idea and captures a sense of community. Designed by architect Ken Crosson, known for his various reinterpretations of the bach, Boathouse Bay consists of 33 mostly semi-detached, two and three-bedroomed houses grouped around a private ‘street’. There are a mix of one, two, and three-storey houses with a range of different floor plans in seven different configurations. Sizes range from 120m2 to 160m2 and are compact, simple structures, redolent of beach days gone by. There are also groups of boatshed/garages for the storage of kayaks or for small-scale hobby activities. What unties the scheme is the central spine of road and careful planting designed by Boffa Miskell that blurs the boundaries between the houses, the beach and the surrounding bush. There will be a track that meanders its way through the front row of houses giving beach access to those at the back. This landscape design reinforces the informality of the development and connects it to the uninterrupted hill of native bush behind. There is no through traffic and no neighbours nearby, so the hoped-for community has a strong chance of developing. Boathouse Bay is a modest affordable development for those looking for a house by the beach. Its mix of medium density, integrated landscaping and casual informality could become a model for how to develop sensitively in coastal regions. The houses are essentially apartments by the sea where all the living will occur outdoors. These developments may be out of reach for some, but they herald a change in the market that recognises the changing needs of those approaching retirement, looking for flexibility in their lives. Whether a lock-upand-leave city apartment for restless travellers or apartment style living by the beach to escape to, there are now greater options available. As the housing market in Auckland settles and matures expect to see more options across the spectrum at all levels of affordability enabled by the Unitary Plan and delivered by smart developers sensitive to the growing diversity of needs we have. p
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Boathouse Bay at Snells Beach is designed by architect Ken Crosson (above), and set in planting by Boffa Miskell. The development brings contemporary living to the beach house, as well as a sense of neighbourhood.
the arts
Art Matters The Auckland Art Fair is back, with works from galleries from across the Pacific Rim, and some innovative new offerings. Art Fair co-director Stephanie Post spoke to Mary Fitzgerald
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program with curations that add more richness of experience for he Auckland Art Fair returns to this month to The Cloud. visitors — two years ago, it was artist Eve Armstrong’s “Trading It’s a significant event for exhibiting and purchasing Table” that was a popular break-out hit. For this fair, local contemporary art, from the wider Pacific region — in accessories brand Deadly Ponies have commissioned recent Elam 2016, more than 9000 people streamed through its doors graduate Hannah Valentine to produce a work as part of Piki Mai; and 10,000 visitors are expected this year. Forty participating plus, they’ll retail a limited edition range of scarves at the fair. galleries from nine countries will show works from some of the Always keen to extend the understanding of art beyond the Art titans of contemporary art, to up-and-comers. Fair, Post also has plans to develop a studio complex in Parnell, A new section to the five-day event is “Piki Mai: Up Here”, an ongoing presence that will which will feature five newer bring both artists and the local galleries, artist-run spaces and community together. “NZ artists recent graduate works. These tend to work in isolation, so emerging artists’ works are a studio complex creates a fittingly located in the elevated, conversation between artists mezzanine level of the Cloud, and which is valuable.” will present a snapshot of artists But for now, it’s all hands to whose work could appear at the pump preparing The Cloud future art fairs. for exhibitors, sponsors and “Piki Mai means “up here” – then on May 23, the visitors, and physically you do have to go who range from dedicated upstairs to the mezzanine floor to art collectors to browsers just view the art,” says Post. “But you soaking up the exhibitions. also rise to the challenge to grow “You get patrons from big your knowledge, to step up your Australian galleries coming understanding, to change how and often in large groups, you might see things. you get visitors from all over “There is a real energy in the New Zealand who are serious earlier career stage of artists. We collectors of art, you get a lot of are particularly excited about Australian and New Zealand arts Piki Mai — it’s fun and a little bit professionals, including curators more out there, offering visitors “Art allows for a different way and directors.” something different.” of thinking. People talk a lot at As a professional working in The emerging talents showing the moment about creativity . . . the art world, Post appreciates at Piki Mai include graduates that for many people, art is from the University of Auckland’s creativity is a way of thinking, and “just a pleasure, to look at and Elam School of Fine Arts, visual artists use visual language to to enjoy and I think that is Melbourne’s Victorian College of express those thoughts” totally valid. I personally like art Art, as well as contributions from because it is a different way of China and via a Sydney gallery, questioning, understanding or Mexico. challenging the world we live in, Post and co-director Hayley and can be useful in questioning White, took over the Auckland accepted norms and beliefs – it helps to work out how the world Art Fair in 2016 (prior to that it was owned by a different works, and whether it should work like that.” company) and says with this, their second outing, the event is naturally evolving. “When we have the perfect fair, it will mean Auckland Art Fair, May 23 – 27, The Cloud, Queens Wharf, we have stopped inventing, we will have stopped trying anything tickets now on sale. See artfair.co.nz. Courtesy of the Art Fair, new. New ideas like Piki Mai are exciting and good for emerging The Hobson has a double pass to give away. See page 6 for artists and for visitors”. details As well as positioning Auckland as an arts centre to both a national and international audience, Post and White are Stephanie Post in front of The Wharema Tryptich, Lisa Reihana, burnishing the reputation of the fair, which will now be annual 2017. Image courtesy of the artist and ARTPROJECTS after starting as a biannual event, by adding variety to the
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Top: Work from Deadly Ponies-commissioned artist Hannah Valentine's 2017 Elam graduate show, Art and physicality: On the body in the age of hyper industrialism; clockwise from right, works at this year's Fair include Gordon Walters, Construction with Pale Blue (1988), Renee Pearson, The Last Supper (2017), and Simon Denny, Shenzhen Mass Entreprenuerial, Huaqiangbei Market Counter in OCT Theme Park Style
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M O T H E R ' S D AY M AY 1 3
523 PARNELL RD AUCKL AND 1050 09 303 1038 flowersafterhours.co.nz
the portfolio
Mothers Say In honour of Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 13, we invited local hospitaliers to share with us the gems of best and worst advice their mothers gave them
“The best advice my mother ever gave me was to always do what you love. Most things she said made sense. When I was little I was always exploring and tasting things in our garden, and she’d be shouting, “don’t put that in your mouth!” It’s ironic, given I ended up working with food, though I can’t cook!” — Jeremy Turner, maître d’, Cibo, Parnell “Mum’s best advice was to never make a comment about anybody else’s children, until you see how your own turn out. And it’s true! You never know what you’re going to be dealt. Bad advice? My mother wouldn’t give us bad advice. Well, she might have said something, but I would have ignored it!” — Kate Fay, chef, Cibo, Parnell
Photographs by Stephen Penny the hobson 37
the portfolio
“My mother’s best advice — “it is always better to dress up, than it is to dress down”. Her worst — “you’re small enough, if it all goes pear-shaped, just bite them on the knee caps!”” — Gemma Whenmouth, maître d’, Morell, Remuera
“The best advice my mother ever gave me, “If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing.” I think this advice is more relevant than ever today, where technology makes it easier for people to vent with apparent immunity, but those harsh words can be just as hurtful. The worst advice my mother ever gave me — “Don’t drink too much beer.” What were you thinking, Mum? Everyone knows there is no such thing as too much beer!” — Anthony Browne, owner, Brothers Beer and the Ōrākei Bay Bistro
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“The best piece of advice my mother ever gave me was that a good chef never does their own dishes. I’ve never been the tidiest of cooks and I’ve been known to get very creative in the kitchen, using every pot and pan available. Luckily I cemented a deal early on; I cook, he does the dishes. It’s worked out very well for me so far! The worst piece of advice my mother ever gave me — a degree will take you places. Not the “worst” advice, but mum was always very insistent that I get a university education, to open the door for career opportunities. Whilst I studied English at university, my day job now looks very different! As much as I respect the foundations that uni laid out for me in my younger years, I am a big believer in following your passions and learning as you grow. Which is most definitely relevant in my journey as a food blogger-turned home cookturned business owner. Old English literature did not set me up for managing staff or tax returns!” — Jess Daniell, Jess’ Underground Kitchen, Remuera
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the portfolio
“I grew up in a small town until the age of 15 or 16, with my family, who were not very well off. I think that one of the worst choices my mother made for me was that my main priority was to learn the skills of cooking and cleaning at home, rather than going to school and learning. But I went on to finish high school and studied at Unitec for two years, whilst working part time to pay my way. My mother would always say “hard work never harms people”. Although I did disagree with her choices when I was younger, I still highly respect her, as she has made me into the person I am today.” — Sunny Eum, owner, Cafe Vicky One, Remuera
“My mother’s best advice? Don’t get a tattoo. Her worst would have been allowing me to get married at 21.” — Sonia McConnell, owner, Benson Rd Deli (the BRD), Remuera
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“At Auckland Obstetric Centre we understand that pregnancy and childbirth is the most important time of your life and that you and baby should have the highest standard of care.” – Jane Patten, Clinic Manager
Auckland Obstetric Centre is a unique practice in Parnell made up of six leading specialist obstetricians and support staff. Together we have many years of experience and feel privileged to be able to share in the care of women during their pregnancy. To find out more about how we can care for you and your baby call our team on 09 3671200 or visit our website obstetrics.co.nz. Lynda Batcheler | Astrid Budden | Eva Hochstein | Katherine McKenzie | Kirstie Peake | Martin Sowter
the hobson + stephen marr
Stephen Marr Celebrates Mamas
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tephen Marr has always been in the business of celebrating women, and this month the salon is turning its light on mothers everywhere in the lead-up to Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 13. Stephen Marr Newmarket senior stylist Jennie Thorpe is mum to two-year-old powerhouse Scarlett, who, her beyond-proud mama says, “literally arrived in the world with a big personality”. Jennie met her husband Dave Weaver in the UK, then after a time spent living and working in Canada they found themselves back in New Zealand, and she has been working at Stephen Marr Newmarket ever since. Not long after starting at the salon she found out she was pregnant with Scarlett, and has juggled her life as a mother and in-demand stylist for the past two years. When asked about what changed for her after becoming a mother, Jennie doesn’t hesitate when she admits “everything”, with a laugh. “I honestly felt like I was reborn as a different
person after Scarlett came into the world,” she elaborates, “and the way that I see myself and how other people see me has definitely changed as well. I have never experienced such a feeling of love but also real fear when I think about her, from the moment I wake up. It’s incomparable to anything else I have ever been through.” She and Dave share care of Scarlett along with her extended family, and everyone involved agrees that the two-year-old was born determined to get what she wants, as a confidence that her mum hopes continues for many years. “She can also be pretty bossy,” adds Jennie with a laugh, “and is definitely a true tomboy, no question.” As far as Mother’s Day goes, Jennie says that there are no firm plans in place “but I’m sure Dave will spoil me, he’s good like that!” Breakfast in bed and something unique created by Scarlett are also most definitely on the cards.
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A stylist at the Ponsonby salon for 18 years, Kat Derham is mama to Liam (15), Georgia (10) and three-year-old Ivy (above, with Kat). She says that her experience of being a new mum with her oldest and her youngest were so vastly different, and yet amazing in their own ways. “I almost feel like Liam and I grew up together,” she says, “and as a result I have a really different relationship with him than I do with the girls. I’m still mum, but we’re also really good mates.” With the girls she describes herself as being “more assertive, and most definitely ‘mum’”. She says the best thing about being a mother for her is watching her children grow, “hitting their little milestones and becoming people with their own distinct personalities”. She says that Liam is the best big brother to Georgia and Ivy, and that she loves hearing the girls talk about each other as “best friends. I hope they will be forever”. Kat says her biggest challenge is making time for each child, “and recognising their individual needs and honouring them. If I didn’t have an amazing boss who lets me work hours that fit in around my family, I don’t know how I’d do it.” p
To celebrate all the beautiful mamas out there, Stephen Marr salons are running a promotion with luxury partners Huka Lodge and Oribe, offering an Oribe treatment and Blow Wave Experience for $99 (valued at $149), served with a glass of champagne, throughout the month of May. All those who book will go into a draw to win a night of luxury at Huka Lodge. The dream night at Huka Lodge will be in a Junior Lodge Suite for two people, located by the stunning Waikato River. Full breakfast, pre-dinner drinks and a five-course degustation dinner are included, prepared by the Lodge’s executive chef, Paul Froggatt. Transfers to/from Taupo Airport and use of all lodge facilities are included. The prize is valid to September 30, 2018, and subject to availability.
Photos: Olivia Kirkpatrick the hobson 43
To book, call Newmarket on (09) 542 6702 or Ponsonby on (09) 360 0588. stephenmarr.co.nz
the second act
The Chrysanthemum & the Silver Fern
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hen I am in Hiroshima, my heart always aches for my mother. Many years ago, it felt appropriate to return her ashes to her home town, although couldn’t let all of her go, so kept some at Purewa. When the shinkansen pulls in to the station, I feel that familiar stirring in my chest. This is where she is, or where she’d prefer to be. It has been a few years since I last made the pilgrimage to the Buddhist temple where we interred her ashes in the ancestral grave, so she could be honoured alongside my grandparents and her brothers. But this time my visit is a little different. Along with one of my sisters, I am returning to the temple with the hope of conducting a delicate negotiation. My last maternal uncle has died, and my one remaining cousin is herself terminally ill. We had not been in touch for some time when she made contact late last year with the news. What has ensued since is a protracted journey through Japanese bureaucracy, involving us handing over our inheritance rights to my cousin, in order for her to process our uncle’s estate, all the while both of us dredging up unexercised language skills and navigating tentatively through the minefield of mismatched cultural practices, to express the love of familial ties. We had hit, however, a roadblock. We — my sisters and I — wish to take over the responsibility of the O-haka (family grave); our cousin, needing to tidy up her own affairs before she passes, wishes to close it. This is not unusual in Japan — the interred remains can be scattered or kept elsewhere. But for us, not quite nihon-jin (Japanese) and not quite gai-jin (foreigners), to not have a place of pilgrimage for ourselves and our children is devastating. Being half-Japanese and always grieving for our mother, we feel that we are forever searching through the cultural fog to connect to this essential part of our identity, and all those years of unrequited love. My father, a sharp 91-year-old J-Force veteran who introduced Auckland to its first Japanese war bride in 1953, is waiting back home. He is unable to make the trip but more for practicalities than any physical disability — no-one would insure him. I am grateful that my sister is here. She seems to have inherited more Japanese genes than me, looks like one, walks like one, talks like one, is often mistaken for one, even by her husband once as he searched through the crowds of Chinese tourists at an airport. There is a well-known book about Japanese culture, The Chrysanthemum and the Sword. She is more the former and myself the latter, but we will need both today.
We arrive at the temple with a friend who will be back-up interpreter. After formally worshipping at the grave; we meet with the temple-keeper’s wife, whose husband had passed away around the same time as my uncle. Her simple kimono is dramatic against the backdrop of a Japanese garden as she makes us matcha tea in a ceremonial fashion, which seems appropriate for the sensitive matter we are here to discuss. As happens in Japan, our Japaneseness stirs from within us. Our bodies hold themselves a little differently. My sister even shuffles a little, and rather than thinking of what to say, longforgotten Japanese words and phrases seem to spring out of us. We are at pains not to offend. It would be easier to concede the grave, but we cannot bear to do this. The exchange is filled with emotion, as we feel our way through what is cultural, and what is simply human. Who are we to take over this responsibility of maintaining the grave? Who will worship there if we live in New Zealand and my cousin is gone? What happens when we die? Can we trust our children to feel the responsibility in the way that we do? Are we denying our cousin of her need to fulfill her cultural obligations before she dies? Whether it was the peaceful way of Buddhism, or the wisdom of this older wise woman, or the presence of a familial bond struggling, then finally surfacing for air, we found a way through. There was deep reverence and even, finally, some levity from the temple-keeper’s wife, who noticed my sister was wearing Donald Trump socks (a decision she regrets, having forgotten she may be taking off her shoes. Damn her husband with those stupid Christmas stocking fillers). The temple-keeper’s wife is warmed by the Japanese way we have approached the matter. It is decided. We will maintain the grave. The following day we return. We make our way through the graves, some of which still bear the scars and shadows cast by the blinding flash of the atomic bomb, to find our familiar family crest. We light incense, bow deeply and pray with our Buddhist juzu beads. Our ancestors worshipped at this same grave, here in the temple next door to my grandfather’s silk warehouse and the family home. The same temple into which my mother used to sneak in to steal flowers, which she’d sell on the street as a naughty five-year-old. I hope they are at peace knowing it is now in the care of a family far, far away, determined to keep their memory alive, and the love and familial connection flourishing. To my mother, Okaasan itsumo arigatou gozaimasu. Happy Mother’s Day. — Sandy Burgham
Sandy Burgham's mother, Michiko, aged three, far right, at the Buddhist temple adjacent to the family home in Hiroshima. From left, her brother Chiako, a friend, the priest, her brother Nobuo. All three siblings are now interred at the same temple. the hobson 44
the magpie + remuera
The Mother Lode It’s Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 13, and The Magpie has swooped into Remuera to find the most perfect gifts
The new range of chic accessories from Alice Pleasance offers beautiful gifts at a range of prices, starting from $25. The Magpie’s eye was rather taken with the luggage tag, $65. And what about these fab $69 Emu Mayberry slides? Oprah is a fan — they made her 2017 Favourite Things list – and she always finds the good stuff! Available at Hedgerow, 371 Remuera Rd, (09) 524 0843, hedgerow.co.nz
If we could bear to part with it, we’d give Mum one of these super-cute Linen Bow Caps by Avenue, $99. We love a little style and function in our lives! And we’re dazzled by Lucy Folk's gorgeous Ionic bracelet, which weaves golden metallic crochet round a gold-plated chain, $355. Avaliable at Maman, 2a Clonbern Rd, (09) 520 1020, maman.co.nz Always and forever, flowers deliver love. Talk to the team at Iain Stephens and let them help you create a Mother’s Day bouquet or a personalised gift basket. The first 50 orders will also receive a special cupcake treat. Bouquets and baskets from $80, Iain Stephens Floral Design, 326 Remuera Rd, (09) 522 2960, nzflowers.co.nz
“Happy Mother’s Day to all of you fabulous ladies, from Gabriella boutique!” The Liberty Dress with gold spots is a stunner, while the dress up/dress down Willow Dress will take Mum just about anywhere. Both by David Pond, $340 and $320 respectively, they’re at Gabriella, 357 Remuera Rd, (09) 520 1156 A neighbourhood favourite, Remuera Local Café Bistro is sweetening their delicious autumn menu with a complimentary glass of house wine for mamas enjoying dinner on Saturday, May 12. For bookings email info@remueralocal.co.nz or call (09) 520 2900
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the pretty
The Scent of You Justine Williams follows her nose, and eyes, for the best in Mother’s Day beauty Aēsop’s Olous Aromatique Room Spray is a delicious blend of citrus botanicals, cedar and the refreshing spice of cardamom. Use it to refresh, restore, enhance any room. $71, from Aēsop Osborne St, or aesop.com/nz
The latest addition to the incredible suite of Cire Trudon candles is Estérel, which will fill the house with the fragrance of Provençal mimosa. $135, and worth every cent. Available at World, Osborne St and Britomart, or worldbrand.co.nz
Tom Ford is a lady’s best friend — look what he’s done for eyes. The metallic cream glides onto lids for a molten glow, and the sparkling powder gives limitless effects. Tom Ford Beauty Emerald Isles Cream Powder Eye Duo, $78, from Smith & Caughey’s
Possibly a little extravagant, but soooo beautiful. And who doesn’t deserve extravagant beauty treats at least once a year? Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Warming Body Scrub, $122, from Smith & Caughey’s
Perfect for the handbag, car or gym bag, Byredo Roll On Oil is a dab of absolute deliciousness on-the-go. Try Gypsy Water, $90. At Mecca Cosmetica, Broadway, or meccabeauty.co.nz
frank body Lip Tint is cheap (but good) and oh so cheerful! Use it on cheeks too. $13, from Mecca Maxima, Queen St, and meccabeauty.co.nz
Grown Alchemist Intensive Hand Cream in Persian Rose & Argan Extract is a deeply hydrating pickme-up for hard-working hands. $33, from Mecca Maxima, Queen St, or meccabeauty.co.nz
How can you not love Chloe? The latest from the venerable French house is Chloé Nomade, or the woman who “asserts who she is without ever imposing it.” We’ll take that. 50ml eau de parfum $149, from Smith & Caughey’s
Clinique’s a good place to look for something fun. Pop Splash Lipgloss is $47, and there’s more than 20 shades of weightless, non-sticky, hydrating glossiness to choose from. Yum. From Clinique counters
With four different Bvlgari Splendida eau de parfum fragrances to choose from, Magnolia Sensuel is our pick for most sublime. $172, available at Smith & Caughey’s
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the auckland foundation
Legacy Decisions
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wondered why somebody didn’t do something. Then I realised, I am somebody.” – Unknown
As we get older, we often start to contemplate the legacy we would like to leave behind. Beyond making sure we do everything in our power to ensure our family is cared for, we can start to think about what or who has shaped us, and provided opportunities for success along the way. Marc and Helen found themselves contemplating these questions. They’re ordinary Aucklanders who appreciate that the city has been good to them. A huge part of weekends and holidays during their lives has, and continues to be, spent on the Hauraki Gulf. Now in their 60s, Marc and Helen have recently turned their minds to their wills, and what they will do with the bounty from a good life. After hearing about the community foundation model, they decided to leave a bequest in their will with the Auckland Foundation, to be used for the purpose of ensuring children of future generations get to know the Gulf, care for it and enjoy it as they have. We pride ourselves with making giving easy, and with busy lives, Marc and Helen have told me they truly appreciated how little of their time it took to set up their bequest with us. Auckland Foundation currently has more than $25 million in pledged gifts; an amount that is growing all the time, with bequests from generous Aucklanders like Marc and Helen. These gifts are for a myriad of causes – education and scholarships are popular, as are supporting children, helping new migrants and youth. Often people will ask me why they shouldn’t just leave a bequest to their favourite charity. Supporting that same charity through Auckland Foundation gives it access to the benefit of the Foundation’s sound investment strategies, which many charities do not have the resource to manage. We can set up a regular annuity for them from our endowment, giving them an enduring income. A bequest can be the most important charitable gift you ever make — Your gift does good forever, because it permanently endows a fund It’s painless, to you and yours. You can give what’s left, after your family is cared for We firmly (sometimes even ferociously) honour your charitable intentions It’s not the size of the initial gift that matters so much. I often talk to people who think the amount they can give won’t make a difference. But the beauty of community foundations is that those amounts are pooled, and carefully and skilfully invested to grow. Bequests end up doing more good, every year. — Dellwyn Stuart, CEO, Auckland Foundation
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the teacher
Are You Listening to Me?
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ow many times have we heard or spoken the words, “are you listening to me?” I know for one I have, and heard them, but not always paid attention. We can probably all own up to being a little guilty of not listening on occasions, because of the many distractions going on around us. There is a huge difference between listening to someone, and actually hearing what is being said. Once upon a time, children were to be seen and not heard. You may recall being brought up this way, wanting to desperately say something important as a child, only to have it dismissed as being unimportant, especially in a classroom. Thank goodness this is no longer the case and the voices of children and young adults are now more often being listen to, valued, respected and acted upon. What I hear from students in classrooms today makes me believe that the future is in good hands! Many of them are articulate and knowledgeable beyond their years. I was delighted to hear that our Children’s Commissioner, Judge Andrew Becroft (whom I have huge respect for) recently stated that it will be important for young people to have a say in the future of the education reform about to take place. “Few things affect children’s lives more than their education experiences,” he said, and “attending school is the greatest commitment children make outside of their homes”. He advocates for the voting age to be lowered to 16, and that this needs to be genuinely discussed. I agree, as this would be a great starting point to hearing what many of these young people have to say. He says that one of his biggest concerns is that children’s voices are not heard. I have just read “Education matters to me: Key Insights”, a new report (and an excellent read) by the NZ Schools Trustees Association (NZSTA) and The Children’s Commissioner. After many months of research with a diverse range of children and young people, this report has filled me with hope and excitement that at last, we have some great work being done to include the voices of children in what their education future will look like. This is a great starting point for what will become NZ’s education priorities. I have long held views that our system of education became outdated several years ago, but working alongside teachers and principals in some of our local schools, I have been heartened by the way they have brought excitement and creativity into the classroom. It’s been interesting to watch the children almost demand to bring about change off their own bat to meet their learning needs, especially with technology. But has the art of listening to our students been something we have all lost in the process? During my long career in teaching, I often heard children trying to express their point of view when no one was listening and what that does to their confidence and self-esteem. As teachers and parents, we need to listen out for these children and provide for them the space to be able to express themselves. There are always the voices that will drown out the others, but these louder voices too have to learn the art of listening to another’s point of view. Everyone has something important to say, and a story to tell, given the right opportunity which needs to be encouraged, respected and valued. I recently watched the CNN documentary, The Parkland Diaries, which follows the lives of survivors in the weeks following the February massacre at their Florida high school. It was such a powerful call from the students to stop the purchase of guns. I was incredibly impressed by the content, and the passion used to voice their pain and outrage to politicians, whom they feel are not listening. How loud do they have to shout? As educators, advocates and policymakers of our education system, we have always talked of the need to be child-centred, but in my view, we have always fallen short of walking the talk. Words come easy, and it will take total commitment to any new policy to make sure its values are upheld and acted upon. I am hugely excited and encouraged by this new report from the Childrens’ Commission and NZSTA — they have truly listened and will finally encourage the government to walk the talk. I do encourage you to read “Education matters to me: Key Insights”, available on ccc.org.nz, under the publications tab. — Judi Paape
the sound
A Sonic Loop expectant parents — and then twists it at the end with tragic loss. In “A Team” he writes of drug addiction and prostitution, without the overwrought drama and glamorisation his contemporaries add in for effect. “A Team” is also interesting because it appeals to a younger generations’ concerns, but in a musical format that older generations understand. He has the knack of being the everyman for every generation. His other trick is that he’s a one man band. Ed is the loopmeister. He is the best on the planet at this. Using electronics, he builds his tunes up from a guitar and a voice and repeating rhythm. That puts a discipline on his music, constraining it to a key and a time scale. His producers have added complexity by adding pauses (which sounds counterintuitive). All up, it means that he’s had to be creative to carve a difference from one song to the next. Here’s where I’m starting to come unstuck with the Sheeran show. Three albums into a four album cycle, I feel Ed is willingly constrained by a prison of his own making and somehow that’s short-changing the punters. The concert I saw, I’d seen already on DVD. I grew frustrated at the lack of sonic dynamic. His little threequarter guitar sounded tinny. The one man band sounded like a one man band, and a pale imitation of his own albums. Being a one man band means he can do any tune he wants from his back catalogue. But looking at the set lists from across Australasia, they barely varied except in Dunedin, where he performed “Drunk” for the first time in three years (apt though). The tour was a photocopy of the one before, and I only bought into it because I’d missed the first one. It’s started feeling less about the music and more about the money. Not that I begrudge him for that. Ed Sheeran continues to astonish us— but he hasn’t surprised for a while. From now on, I’d like to see him adopt a band ethos. I’d like to hear him taking me on a sonic journey, to break out of the loop prison. He should have been the highlight of the summer, but that still belongs to Paul McCartney, who performed the last three songs of Abbey Road at Mt Smart. “Golden Slumbers, The Weight and The End” were a tour de force and a musical journey that a man with a little guitar and a loop pedal could never match. Ed Sheeran has it in him to be the greatest of all time, but it’s time to abandon the monetary statistics and give his music the full palette it deserves. After all, he can obviously afford a little experimentation after this summer. But if he doesn’t have that ambition and is prepared to settle down and have babies, which seems on the cards, I wouldn’t blame him. You’ve done well, kid. Are you up for doing better? — Andrew Dickens
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Photo courtesy Warner Music
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his summer Ed Sheeran came, saw, sang and conquered. The ginger former busker has just completed a tour of Australasia that statistically puts him as the top touring act of all time. Six stadium shows in Auckland and Dunedin meant that quarter of a million Kiwis forked over hard-earned cash to see him. Throughout Australasia he sold over a million tickets, surpassing the previous record of 950,000, held by Dire Straits. Not surprisingly, Frontier Touring’s Michael Gudinski is rapt, and presumably rolling in it. “Frontier has toured some of the biggest names in music, including Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, but I’ve never seen a tour like Ed’s,” said Gudiniski. “To sell one million tickets is simply phenomenal”. Mayors around the continent are also chuffed. Dunedin saw 70,000 people stream into town, creating a $34m windfall for the local economy. Not to mention the healthy slice of the gate receipts for the various owners of our indebted stadiums. So it’s the biggest show on earth. But. I went with my family and I was strangely underawed. So I've been rethinking Ed. I’m on record as having written in this magazine, and said during my ZB record reviews, that Ed Sheeran is on track to become one of the greatest, if not The Greatest, singer songwriters in history. Something I’m still prepared to stand by, despite many in the industry mocking me. Ed’s songs are deceptively simple. Some say banal. But if they’re so simple, then you have to ask why more artists aren’t producing them? It’s because it’s devilishly difficult and complex to be that simple. It’s like saying the Beatles’ “Yesterday” is just a little pop ditty. Sheeran’s trick lyrically is derived from the “Kitchen Sink Realism” school, the movement that began in the 60s of “angry young men” writers, playwrights and poets, who portrayed the real life of the British working class. It gave rise to filmmakers like Ken Loach, and TV like Coronation Street and East Enders. In America it was seized on by Bruce Springsteen. But in Ed’s hands it’s hopeful, not desperate. It’s middle class not lower class. He writes the love songs that most of us could see ourselves writing. He’s also what I call a wedding song writer. Songs like “Thinking Out Loud”, “Photograph” and “Perfect” will be played at weddings for decades, which is a great trick for longevity. They’re mushy but real. These songs will also be played on oldies stations forever. In line with the kitchen sink thing, he does a good line in pathos as well. In “Small Bump” he wrings the emotion out of young
the district diary
May 2018 1 Written in 1893, George Bernard Shaw’s Mrs Warren’s Profession was banned by the censors for its subject matter. Now celebrated Kiwi theatre-maker Eleanor Bishop has directed her own version, creating an evening of sophisticated comedy, social commentary and scandal, starring Jennifer Ward-Lealand. Visit atc.co.nz for times and tickets. Until May 16
11 Get your dancing shoes on and head down to the Remuera Club for A Night With the Bee Gees, New Zealand’s premier Bee Gees tribute band. Rave reviews for this show will make it a popular one, so get there early! 27 Ohinerau St, 7-11pm, $20 at the door
3 Enjoy songs and scones at the Morning Melodies vocal recital series, featuring a range of singers and vocal repertoire with a light morning tea. St Mark’s Anglican Church, 95 Remuera Rd, $20 at the door (cash/cheque only)
17 Light & Dark is an emotional, musical journey exploring a wide range of moods and soundscapes, brought to you by chamber music ensemble the Aroha String Quartet. St Lukes Church, 130 Remuera Rd, 7.309.30pm, eventfinda.co.nz or 0800 BUYTIX for tickets
5 One of NZ’s top academic schools, ACG Parnell College also has extensive opportunities in sports, music and arts, plus individualised support. They invite you to see all of this and more at their Open Day, 10.30am-2.30pm, 2 Titoki St
17-20 It’s the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show — four days full of fun, fishing and boating. ASB Showgrounds 10am-6pm daily (open till 9pm Friday). Boatshow.co.nz for $18 tickets, or door sales $20
5-6 Warm up for winter at the Auckland Quiltmakers 2018 Quilt Show and Market. Traditional and contemporary quilts (details pictured, right), stalls and “Blog It: A Textile Art Series”, an exhibition and talk by Rosemary Rush. Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Rd, 10am-4pm, adults and over-12s, $5
19-20 The Baradene Art Show is on this weekend — you’ll run into lots of neighbours and collectable works too in a diverse range of media. At Baradene College, 237 Vicky Ave, free entry
6 Take a guided walk with Bruce Hayward and learn the history of Maungakiekie. Did you know Cornwall Park is only the centre of a volcano? It actually stretches all the way from Newmarket to Onehunga. Bookings essential, email info@cornwallpark.co.nz including your name and phone number. Dress for the weather and bring a drink bottle, meet at Huia Lodge Information Centre. 10am-12pm 9 Let’s Get Sustainable Sisters – a makers’ night of beauty and cleaning product workshops, speakers, prizes, nourishing food and goodie bags. Bring clean jars to take your products home in, and make sure to book as only 30 tickets are available. Ellerslie War Memorial Hall, 138 Main Highway, 7.30-10pm, $20, eventbrite.co.nz Join Janice Marriott, author of Grandparents Talk, as she discusses the varied and often heroic role that grandparents play in today’s families. St Heliers Library, 32 St Heliers Bay Rd, 2-3pm, free
15 Heart attacks and strokes are two of the major causes of death and disability in our community. “Getting the Blood Flowing Again” is an opportunity to hear three of NZ’s pre-eminent experts in this area talk about the revolutionary medical technology that can restore blood flow to the heart and brain. Free entry, 7-8pm, AMRF Lecture Theatre, Uni of Auckland, 85 Park Rd. Email rsvp-fmhs@auckland.ac.nz with “50th anniversary lecture 15 May” in the subject line
19 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
12 You havin’ a laugh? The 2018 NZ International Comedy Festival is now on, Q Theatre, 305 Queen St, Go to comedyfestival. co.nz for acts and tickets info 13 Mothers Day The nationwide Jennian Homes Mothers Day Fun Run/Walk returns to the Ellerslie Event Centre, 80 Ascot Ave, 10am-12pm. Have fun, get active, support the Heart Foundation. See jennianmothersday.com to register. There’s an event t-shirt designed by Dick Frizzell with each entry fee paid
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23-27 The country’s premier event of its kind, the Auckland Art Fair returns to The Cloud, Queens Wharf, with a focus on contemporary art from the Pacific Rim. For hours, tickets and exhibitor information, see artfair.co.nz 25 Your little princesses and princes will love preschool ballet classes with Ballerina school. The program was created by Rhonda Mickelborough, who has a degree in dance and years of experience, the teachers are dressed as ballerinas and all props are handcreated. Somervell Presbyterian Church, Cnr Greenlane and Remuera Rd, Fridays, 1011.45am, ballerinaschool@xtra.co.nz for info
the cryptic by mĀyĀ
ACROSS 1 Razor wielder’s prizes (7) 5 Bill’s token charge (7) 9 Delicate, or indelicate? (3-6) 10 Non-uniform, it’s with end of giant cry, upon reflection (5) 11 Biblical patriarch refusing oral examination? (4) 12 Heats latte after a fashion, in any case (2,3,5) 15 What manager does in charge of old language (5) 16 The current measure of a politician (3) 18 See 23 20 Enthuse over petrol (3) 21 Biblical priest occasionally ignored eel pie (3) 22 Sound asleep, tuck backside behind head for foreign gentleman (5) 23/28D/18 Who, ere way lost, hid fortune?
This is what we don’t know (3,5,2,3) 25 Spooner’s boy left unfinished (5) 27/1D Heroine, only local celebrity at first, becoming international star (4,6-7) 31/36 Refine odd parts of Tauiwi race for poet (4,7) 33 German setter starts to lie about fruit (5) 34 Champion of our sphere? Not necessarily (9) 35 Refrigerant made from blubber? No info (7) 36 See 31 DOWN 1 See 27 Across 2 Pavlova surrounded by spill of ink? Blame Ghanaian diplomat (4,5) 3 Biblical prophet knocked back ritual drink (4) 4 See 13
5 Have a soft spot for Ngaio? (5) 6 N.B. I’m inside with Lew, 9 - the grass! (10) 7 Beneath mainframe, having removed case (5) 8 Letter ‘E’ left in ski-run (7) 13/4 Top drawer cat’s to berth old Ford (3,5) 14 Philosopher using a stick to grasp colour of 16 in New York (1,1,8) 16 (Ex?) forest dweller (3) 17 Plea we regularly put to the bench (3) 19 Greek Princess and King give rise to a protest (9) 22 Lady to ring about varnish (7) 24 Nice agreement to move start of debt (3) 26 Eeyore’s failing sight (7) 28 See 23 Across 29 Enzyme I’ve heard gets up late (5) 30 The part of the body where the hat is placed (no pressure!) (5) 32 About to argue and gloat (4)
Set by Māyā. Answers will appear in our next issue (June 2018). Can’t wait, or need help? Visit https://thehobsoncrossword.wordpress.com/
APRIL CRYPTIC CROSSWORD ANSWERS Across: 6 Agonise, 7/18 March Hare, 10 Chatterbox, 11 Speak now, 13 Bestie, 17 Alice, 19 Carrot, 20 Eared owl, 23 Grant’s Tomb, 26 Lite, 27 Peter, 28 Thinner Down: 1 Complainer, 2 Oilcan, 3 Beta, 4 Imitable, 5 Brer, 6 At Hop, 8 Hoosier, 12 White, 14 Scheduling, 16 On a trip, 17 Artistry, 21 Rabbit, 22/9/15 Watership Down, 24 Nuts, 25 Oats
the hobson 50
The International Completion next year Construction is progressing at The International. This property is rapidly becoming New Zealand’s most iconic premium lifestyle residence. Behind the original Grand Hotel façade, Dominion Construction is building 90 freehold apartments over 17 levels with unrivalled amenities, shared spaces and generosity of space and light. Just 25 elegant apartments are available from $1.835m. Call our sales team today.
9 Princes St, Auckland theinternational.co.nz 0800 20 20 90
Jason Gaddes +64 21 994 921 jason.gaddes@sothebysrealty.com
Ross Hawkins +64 27 472 0577 ross.hawkins@sothebysrealty.com
Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Browns Real Estate Limited (licensed under the REAA 2008) MREINZ. nzsothebysrealty.com/NZE10526
FOR SALE
1A/28 AWATEA ROAD, PARNELL
3
nzsothebysrealty.com/NZE10861
SOLD
SOLD
431 Parnell Road, Parnell 201 and 503 Trinity Apartments
2
2
SOLD
2 Churton Street, Parnell (Edition Apartments) One third already sold
72 Tohunga Crescent, Parnell
Specialising in high end homes and apartments in the Hobson area. Ross Hawkins M +64 274 720 577 ross.hawkins@sothebysrealty.com nzsothebysrealty.com
National Top Performing Licensee 2013 - 2018
Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Browns Real Estate Limited (licensed under the REAA 2008) MREINZ.