WHAT’S ON

Topography, Taonga and Trailblazers

October 1-16, 10am-4pm. Howick Historical Village, Pakuranga.

As part of the Auckland Heritage Festival 2022 there’s lots on offer at the Village in October! Kids can discover the topography of early east Auckland through a trail and make creative maps. Museum buffs can delve into the archives and collections in exclusive mini tours on Friday, October 7 & 14. The Live Day on Sunday, October 9, will be a highlight! Meet costumed villagers, see the forge and the coal range in action, churn cream into butter, visit the old-fashioned Sweet Shop and attend a Victorian school lesson. www.historicalvillage.org.nz

Korean Film Festival

October 6-8, Academy cinema, Auckland

The Korean Consulate in Auckland will host the 11th Korean Film Festival. The three-day festival is returning with six films across a range of genres. This event is a part of Korean Culture Week, which is in the first week of October. The 2022 Cannes best director prizewinning Korean film Decision to Leave will open the Korean Film Festival in Auckland on October 5 with a VIP reception. For more information visit the website of the Consulate of the Republic of Korea. Free tickets are available at www.academycinemas.co.nz

All Saints Organ Recital

October 6, All Saints Anglican Church, 17 Selwyn Rd, Howick

A very special event, supported by East Auckland Tourism to help celebrate the 175th Anniversary of All Saints Howick, the oldest building in East Auckland and home to a rare pipe organ that only a handful of NZ organists can play. The well-known organist Helen Lukman-Fox will perform a variety of music, demonstrating the organ’s unique sounds while sharing the early musical history of All Saints Howick and the Fencibles who settled here 175 years ago. A brief history of the Church and surrounding district will also be shared as part of this special event. For more information: All Saints Howick Organ Recital – Howick 175 | Event

Hitchcock Classic

October 25-November 19, ASB Waterfront Theatre, 138 Halsey St, Auckland CBD

North by Northwest is a bold reimagining of the Alfred Hitchcock classic film into a play by stage and screen writer Carolyn Burns. It has wowed audiences the world over. Now, with an all-Kiwi cast of the country’s top acting talent, director, and creator of North by Northwest Simon Phillips (Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, Love Never Dies, Muriel’s Wedding), one of Aotearoa’s most successful theatrical exports, returns home to direct its New Zealand premiere at ASB Waterfront Theatre. For more details: www.atc.co.nz

Please note: information regarding times & dates of these events was correct at the time this issue went to print. However, readers are advised to check events online for updates.

Slow fashion

October 8, 10am-5pm Barfoot & Thompson Netball Centre, Northcote, Auckland

The Slow Fashion Festival is a fun day packed with sustainable market stalls, speakers, workshops and a clothes swap. The Slow Fashion Festival brings everything under one roof for the conscious consumer. The Marketplace will have over 60 sustainable stalls featuring vintage and preloved clothing and goods, upcycled products, and other sustainable brands. For details see @theslowfashionfestival on Instagram/Facebook.

Ready set, run!

October 30

The Auckland Marathon is set to welcome athletes from around the world. Participants have entered from more than 30 countries, with Australia, Brazil, France, Great Britain, India, Singapore and the United States. The Auckland Marathon offers participants the choice of five distances, the Barfoot & Thompson Marathon, Half Marathon, John West 11km Traverse, NZ Avocado 5km, and Barfoot & Thompson Kids Marathon. Entries remain open for the 2022 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Marathon. For more information visit https://aucklandmarathon.co.nz/

‘WE CAN HELP ANYONE, ANYWHERE, AT ANY TIME’

Vanessa Martin

Vanessa Martin brings outstanding communication skills, a strong sense of empathy for her clients, and almost three decades of experience to her latest role.

The registered legal executive and east Auckland local recently joined the team at the highly respected Howick law firm James Donovan Lawyers, having started her legal career in Howick some years ago. Since then, Vanessa has worked abroad in London with some interesting roles and experience and is pleased to bring her knowledge to the firm.

Her areas of expertise include estate administration, wills, enduring powers of attorney, property conveyance (including occupation right agreements) and trusts. “At James Donovan my focus is primarily on estate work and helping our clients navigate through a difficult time,” Vanessa explains.

“When there is a loss, the process can be daunting and extremely stressful. I like to ensure that the matter is handled as empathetically as possible whilst ensuring a sound, timely and high-quality service. It can be a struggle when one feels loss and it can be difficult to understand what is happening.

“It is a process, and it is important to explain the stages clearly, so we manage their expectations. This assists in managing a stressful period. I am approachable for anyone to contact me and discuss matters they may be struggling with or just don’t understand.”

Vanessa states our clients are important and even when the issue is a simple one, we are here to help. She says her work in estates helps clients by providing an independent view through the process, particularly where there is conflict within a family.

“When you’ve got someone who is independent from the family there is more transparency, which ensures checks and balances. This in turn provides security to our clients that everything is being managed appropriately. This is a specialist area and at times it can be quite complicated.

“I have spent many years perfecting my processes so the administration of a loved one’s estate is as simple as possible. It is often that loved ones appoint someone outside of the family to be their executors and administer the estate on their death. It can be a struggle for the executors to keep matters in line, particularly if they’re not aware of the family dynamics.

“Our job is to bridge that gap so everyone feels listened to and executors don’t feel left alone to cope with issues that may arise. This can be frustrating for everyone involved.”

Vanessa says the team at James Donovan provides outstanding customer service to all of their clients, whether they live in the local community or further afield.

“Our team at James Donovan are highly skilled in our respective areas and able to assist with your legal issue efficiently and professionally. We are very approachable so don’t be afraid to make contact with us, ask questions or get a bit of guidance, because we are here to assist you in any way we can.

“Though driven to assist our local community, our commitment to provide sound legal advice and high-quality service extends to all of New Zealand.”

Outside of work Vanessa focuses on family, friends and hobbies and can often be found scouring beaches for interesting shells, walking her dog, supporting the local markets, perfecting her painting skills or relaxing in her garden.