WildTomato May 2019 by WildTomato

Nelson Tasman and Marlboroughâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s magazine /

ISSUE 154 / MAY 2019 / $8.95

A nod to the mod

- blending autumn colours and retro style

+ +

Joinery & Design Awards Winter Heating Learning Programmes Bev Doole Superbike Racing Kono Wines Fire Retardant Plants Arden Old Marlburianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Memoirs

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Nelson Tasman and Marlborough’s magazine

Features Issue 154 / May 2019

26 Joinery & Design Awards The pick of the crop from the 2019 Nelson Tasman and Marlborough Joinery & Design Awards, compiled by Sadie Hooper

36 Winter heating Tried and true winter heating tips plus new technology, by Alistair Hughes

42 Learning programmes Where do you go when you or a family member experiences learning difficulties? Maike van der Heide explains some of the options

INTERVIEWS

18 The Interview – Bev Doole Eco-persuader Bev Doole talks to Frank Nelson about making the world a better place one step at a time

22 Rising Star Eddie Allnutt meets a high-flying motorcycle racer

24 Local Connection Recalling the past and saving it for the future is all in a day’s work for old Marlburian Jack Taylor. Sophie Preece reports

86 My Education Eddie Allnutt talks with Kayla Jones about NMIT’s Certificate in Tourism and Travel, and her new role as a receptionist at Rutherford Hotel Nelson 4

Columns Issue 154 / May 2019

FASHION

49 Yeah, yeah she’s a mod Stylist Sonya Leusink Sladen and photographer Wendy Beattie give a nod to the mod with retro looks

54 Fashion Showcase Take a tip from fashion through the ages, says stylist Sonya Leusink Sladen

LIFE

56 My Home Brenda Webb looks at an eyecatching renovation overlooking the Maitai

62 My Garden Certain plants are more fire-resistant and retardant than others, writes Annabel Schuler

64 My Health GP Cindy de Villiers explains about heart rate variability; from elite fitness to everyday health

66 My Kitchen Roast mushrooms with coriander pesto and feta make a tasty meal from Madame Lu’s Kitchen

67 Dine Out Reviewer Hugo Sampson finds a not-to-be-missed experience dining at Arden

68 Wine Kono Wines are making their mark on the international wine scene, writes Lynda Papesch

69 Brews Eddyline Brewery is expanding its market, adding canned beer to its offerings, Mark Preece explains

72 Adventure

74 Motoring

70 Travel A Kiwi and an Iranian meet over a chilli in a Bangkok cooking class, writes Craig Sisterson 6

Reviewer Pete Rainey takes a look at New Zealand Music Month

81 Film

Reviewer Geoff Moffett finds Mitsubishi’s new Triton a ‘brute of a ute’ with a swag of safety features

Fascinating but not for the squeamish, is Eddie Allnutt’s verdict on the film documentary The Chills: The Triumph & Tragedy of Martin Phillipps

75 Sports Phil Barnes catches up with Motueka-based adventure racing team Go Penati about its successful nine months

CULTURE

76 Art ACTIVE

80 Music

Sarah Nottage takes a walk on the wild side to reach the Kahurangi Lighthouse

John Cohen-Du Four interviews a champion of the region’s street art scene

78 Books Renée Lang reviews some of the latest book releases

REGULARS

Editor’s letter & contributors 10 Noticeboard 12 Snapped 82 Events

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Editor's letter

ime is flying by and it’s hard to believe that it is almost mid-year. Easter has been and gone and soon shops will start counting down the days until Christmas; a scary thought! As the days shorten, temperatures drop and seasonal weather makes its presence felt, it’s the perfect time to snuggle up indoors with the latest issue of WildTomato. This month’s issue provides inspiration for home owners, showing Nelson Tasman and Marlborough’s annual Joinery and Design Awards winners and highlighting what a creative bunch the Top of the South is home to. From stunning doors, to retro fits and new homes, there are some amazing award-winning examples to ohhh and ahhh over. Autumn and winter are usually months when many people spend more time inside, relaxing in the warmth, and it’s a time when people hatch new plans, dream big and think about new projects to put into play during the coming spring and summer. Across the Nelson Tasman and Marlborough regions, a multitude of exciting projects are already underway, including recreational, commercial and residential. Stay tuned! If you’re wining and dining or just enjoying a casual café meal or pint or two at your local, then why not nominate them for our 2019 Kono Dine Out Awards? It’s easy; anyone can nominate any wine or beverage provider via the www.wildtomato.co.nz/dineout online link. Entries will close mid-July so that gives you plenty of scope to check out what’s on offer locally and put your vote in. Each nomination counts as one vote. And don’t forget to tuck up with the latest issue of WildTomato; it’s full of interesting reading for you to enjoy. LYNDA PAPESCH

Love local Gold medal-winning pickle Congratulations to Manaaki, a Blenheim-based social enterprise set up as part of the Omaka Marae’s Pā Ora, Pā Wānanga strategy vision, which is centered on whānau transformation through the creation of a thriving and sustainable marae. Manaaki’s Kamokamo Pickle is one of just 40 products to win a coveted gold medal from more than 180 products entered in the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards (ONZFOA). Grown in the maraknai and handmade in the marae kitchen, the Kamokamo Pickle was inspired by Omaka’s ‘Queens of Manaakitanga’. The Aunties will be showcasing their culinary talents with a special event being held as part of Feast Marlborough. ‘Hakari with the Aunties’, on May 11, will take guests on a special culinary journey. Visit www.tastemanaaki.co.nz

Editor Lynda Papesch 021 073 2786 lynda@wildtomato.co.nz

Manager Laura Loghry 027 378 0008 laura@wildtomato.co.nz

Design & art direction Hester Janssen design@wildtomato.co.nz

Contributors

Eddie Allnutt, Phil Barnes, Wendy Beattie, Chelsea Chang, Elora Chang, John Cohen-Du Four, Cindy de Villiers, Maureen Dewar, Lisa Duncan, Sadie Hooper, Alistair Hughes, Steve Hussey, Henry Jaine, Renée Lang, Sonya Leusink Sladen, Brent McGilvary, Geoff Moffett, Frank Nelson, Sarah Nottage, Mark Preece, Sophie Preece, Pete Rainey, Ray Salisbury, Hugo Sampson, Annabel Schuler, Craig Sisterson, Maike van der Heide, Karaena Vincent, Brenda Webb, Dominique White

Advertising executives Chrissie Sanders 027 540 2237 chrissie@wildtomato.co.nz Kaleigh Armitage 027 233 4068 kaleigh@wildtomato.co.nz Jo Hender 021 264 7559 jo@wildtomato.co.nz

Lead ad designer Patrick Connor production@wildtomato.co.nz

Subscriptions $75 for 12 issues wildtomato.co.nz/subscribe

Publisher

Jack Martin WildTomato Media Ltd The Boiler Room, 204 Hardy St, Nelson 7010 PO Box 1901 Nelson 7040 info@wildtomato.co.nz wildtomato.co.nz

Find us on: WildTomato/ @wildtomatomagazine @_WildTomato Read online at issuu.com/wildtomato WildTomato magazine is subject to copyright in its entirety and its contents may not be reproduced in any form, either wholly or in part, without written permission. The opinions expressed in WildTomato magazine are not necessarily those of WildTomato Media Ltd or its principals.

Cover photography by Wendy Beattie and styling by Sonya Leusink Sladen

Contributor spotlight W E N DY B E AT T I E

Fashion photographer (page 49) I was in the dental industry for 13 years but after our two daughters were born, I decided it was time to follow my passion for art and design. I took the plunge and enrolled in full-time study at NMIT in 2017. I quickly became immersed in photography, loving every aspect of it and the challenges that it brought. The world of photography continues to suck me in, offering so many opportunities and space to be creative. I love being able to share the excitement with my family, and I may even have two budding photographers on my hands!

CRAIG SISTERSON

Travel (page 70) I’m thrilled to be back writing for WildTomato. Growing up in Richmond, I fell in love with stories thanks to my parents, schoolteachers and local librarians. Nowadays I write features for magazines and newspapers in several countries, but things began with Santa-inspired mysteries at Richmond Primary School and sports reports at Waimea College. I wrote my first column for WildTomato while traversing Latin America in 2008, between stints as a commercial lawyer and legal editor, then contributed more than 100 articles over the next few years. Now a stayat-home dad and freelancer, it’s very good to be back with my hometown magazine!

JOHN COHEN-DU FOUR

Arts (page 76) I was born in France, grew up in the USA, and came to New Zealand in my teens. From my youngest years I’ve had an enduring fascination and love for the creative arts. I believe they exhibit humankind at its very best; where we witness the world around us, sense it within us and apply our curiosity, intelligence, and most of all, feelings, to produce endless expressions of all we are and all we might be. For me personally this has led to a career as an advertising designer/writer/creative director and all manner of other creative outpourings, including artist, fiction writer, musician, short film maker, potter, actor, puppeteer, even choreographer. It’s what gets me out of bed every morning.

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NOTICEBOARD

Crying Kiwis help to raise funds

elson mothers Claire Nichols and Karen Darling are helping raise funds for the families of victims of the Christchurch terror attack by selling T-shirts with the cartoon of the crying kiwi by Invercargill cartoonist Shaun Yeo. Permission has been granted to them by Shaun Yeo to reproduce his image. For more information check out their Facebook page Crying Kiwi T-shirts.

Trust formed to expand Snowden’s Bush

2019 Kono Dine Out Awards

he hunt is on again for Nelson Tasman and Marlborough’s top restaurants, cafés and bars. Entries are now open for the Kono Dine Out Awards, run by WildTomato magazine. To nominate your favourite eatery, drinking or music establishment visit the website www.wildtomato.co.nz. And don’t forget to visit www.kono.co.nz. Each nomination counts as a vote. Voting closes July 15 and the winners will be announced in the September issue of WildTomato.

new trust has been incorporated to raise money to expand the Snowden Bush Reserve in Brightwater. The trust wants to buy the frontage along Waimea West Road from the Anglican Church and add it to the reserve. This expansion will ensure the permanent protection of centuries-old totara trees and habitat for native birds as well as maintaining the public view and connection of the reserve with Brightwater. Trust members include, (left to right) Karen Cameron, Nelson MP Nick Smith, Jeremy Cameron, Antoinette Besier, Janice Gibbs, Megan Brown, Annette Moorhead, John Baker.

Where do you read yours? Trained arborist John Bush reads his WildTomato while taking a break on high. Send your image to editor@wildtomato.co.nz ONLY JPG FILES ACCEPTED, MIN 1MB

Magical Marlborough turns it on this May

f you’re stuck for inspiration then head to Marlborough for a weekend of indulgence and a bit of exercise too if you want. The annual Feast Marlborough is a four-day food extravaganza from 9 to 12 May, while the Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon takes centre stage on 11 May.

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Snapped WildTomato goes out on the town…

Nelson Tasman Marlborough Joinery & Design Awards The Italian Club, Nelson P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y B R E N T M C G I LVA R Y

1. Myles Sellers & Ruth Roberts

5. Phil Thompson

2. Rina Hammes & Robyn Thomas

6. Paul & Leigh Dalzell

3. Tammy Kitney, Helen Barnett, Melody Barlow & Ange Rowe

7. Robbie & Karen Harlen

4. George & Lisa Molnar, Darren Traynor, Anna Thomas & Dave Peterson

8. James Giblin, Margarette Sellers & Lynda Papesch 9. Claire Stephens, Jemma Gamble & Sarah Peard

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2 Havelock Mussel & Seafood Festival Havelock Domain, Marlborough P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y B R E N T M C G I LVA R Y

1. Sasha McWilliam, Renee Williamson, Pip Dalley & Zane Johnson

2. Hilary Ward, Louise Baxter, Michelle Thompson, Sue Cromie & Dave Ward 3. Jeremy & Krystal Beal & Kathryn Grigor

4. Kelly Hocquard & Alysha Hutchison 5. Jillian Armstrong & Robin Jones 6. Steve Maddigan & Gail Wallis 7. Lisa Healey & Tony Byers 8. Luke Hodgson & Amy Richards

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A reception with the Royal NZ Ballet The Suter Art Gallery, Nelson

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y R AY S A L I S B U R Y

1. Jessie Creedmore, Lydia Fitzgerald, Anna & Rosanna Best 2. Philippa Foes-lamb, Carolyn Callister, Michelle McIntyre, Jocelyn Hector & Rebecca Hunt 3. Sally Grant, Patricia Barker & Annie Henry

4. Dame Trelise Cooper & Julia Leuchars 5. Leonora Voigtlander, Luke Cooper & Louise Binns 6. Bryna Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien & Jane Meares 7. Tim Skinner & Julie Catchpole 8. Susan & Paul Schiff

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SNAPPED

2 ‘Hailwood at Home’ fashion show Central Nelson PHOTOGRAPHY BY KARAENA VINCENT

1. Kathryn Orange, Sandie Kitchingham, Ange Sanders & Julie Baxendine

4. Lisa Molnar & Irene Firestone

2. Jody Cameron, Leona Deridder, Paula Penny & Angela Geen

6. Jane Hopgood & Jo Menary

3. Kristen Thorp, Tom Levien & Annabel Black

8. Sarah Jones, Char Doyer-Jack & Imelda Brandauer

5. Renee Wilson & Megan Clark

7. Paul Jack & Phil Coulson

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SNAPPED

1 Mount Street Exhibition Quiet Dog Art Gallery, Nelson P HO T O G R A P H Y BY H E N RY JA I N E

1. Carey Gary, Jill Starling & Jenny Dicks 2. Jo Kinross & David Ryan 3. Susa Guhl, Stan Bowski & Marc Steyn 4. Blake Twigden & Angela McGrath

5. Lloyd Harwood & Candy Clarke 6. Glenys Henry & Kyra Wilkie 7. Isobel & Cathy Newmarch 8. Emily Whinney & Scott White 9. Lucy Harwood & Isaac London

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SNAPPED

2 Forrest Graperide

Forrest Estate Wines, Renwick PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA DUNCAN

1. Cathy Price, Lyndell Boaden & Jo Kovacs 2. Callum & Keren Brock & Robbie Sicely

3. Alan Naysmith, Frank Porter & Chris Young 4. Tony & Steve Chapman

5. Robin Elvery & Bill Manning 6. Kate Lamport, Rachel Habershon & Darlene Richardson 7. Tracy Thomson & Joy Coughlan 8. Cieran Thomas & Oriana Houra

Photo: Pete Jerram

INTERVIEW

An ecopersuader

who treads softly Bev Doole believes finding common ground is the way forward in protecting the natural treasures of her beloved Marlborough. She speaks to Frank Nelson.

ev Doole is using her skills as a writer, editor, project manager and organiser to help preserve and promote her true passion – the unique character of Marlborough and especially the Marlborough Sounds. She works as a freelance contractor for the Marlborough District Council and a number of other organisations, some of them on a voluntary basis, specialising in projects related to the environment. She’s deputy chair of the Nelson Marlborough Conservation Board, a member of the Cawthron Institute Trust Board, and co-ordinator of the Marlborough Landscape Group, which advises the council on a wide range of issues including the Sounds, loss of biodiversity through vineyard development and planting more native species. “It’s a question of looking at our environment as a whole and trying to ensure some balance, improving the landscape and helping people to get out there and enjoy it,” she says.

“It’s a question of looking at our environment as a whole and trying to ensure some balance ...” 18

One of her major ongoing roles is co-ordinator of the Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards. The biennial event this year attracted 24 innovative, eco-friendly entrants from seven categories: the wine industry, farming, marine, business innovation, landscape and habitat, community innovation and forestry. Bev recruited those entrants and event sponsors, wrote the judging reports and acted as MC during the March awards dinner and presentations in Blenheim. Even after the event she was busy arranging field days for the public to visit the winners. (See box for the full list of winning enterprises.) Among previous projects, she helped to establish the Totaranui 250 Trust, a community group organising commemorations in November marking 250 years since the first encounters between Maori and Lt. James Cook, and co-ordinated the Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust, which aims to control wilding pines in the Sounds.

Grounded in communication skills

As it happens, the skills that keep bringing her worthwhile and enjoyable employment today are the same ones that previously carried her journalism career aloft for two decades. The seeds of that career were sown at Marlborough Girls’ College and given added impetus over the six months she spent at junior college in San Jose, California, a swap for what would have been her seventh-form year in Blenheim. She stayed with family friends in the American city of 800,000 people, which was both a ‘culture shock’ after rural Marlborough and a ‘fabulous eye-opener’ into the wider world. Her studies included media subjects and once back in New Zealand she headed for Canterbury University, aiming for a BA followed by the post-graduate Diploma in Journalism. However, after a year she decided to fast-track things, switching to Wellington Polytechnic’s one-year journalism certificate course. She started a cadetship with Radio New Zealand in Taupo, where she found herself writing news bulletins for Maggie Barry,

then a rookie announcer at the station. Bev moved next to 3ZB in Christchurch but after a couple of years reporting on city council and various local bodies, her focus shifted to becoming a print media editor, a role that initially brought her to the Marlborough Express in Blenheim. The following year, 1986, she moved to the Evening Post in Wellington. Peter Kitchin, then the Post’s chief sub-editor, had a holiday cottage at the Wairau Bar, where Bev found him one day carrying out roof repairs. “I climbed up the ladder and asked him for a job,” she says, recalling the unorthodox job interview that landed her in Wellington for the next 10 years. During that period, in 1994, she was awarded a Harry Brittain Fellowship, a training programme for talented Commonwealth journalists, which took her to Britain for six weeks. “That was my first time to Europe. Everything was new and fascinating. That was pretty much the changing point. I was really taken with the newspaper world over there – just the range of newspapers and the quality.”

Respite as a galley slave

Photo: Pete Jerram

In 1996 Bev took a year’s leave from the Evening Post and initially worked as the cook aboard an old sailing ship off England’s south coast. She prepared meals for 18 passengers and crew each day as they sailed out of Devon and along the coast, to the Channel Islands or over to France. Later, using contacts made during her fellowship trip two years earlier, she landed an editing job with the prestigious Financial Times, which saw her living and working in the heart of London for another 10 years. These were very bright lights and a very big city for a country girl who spent her first 17 years in tiny Tua Marina, between Blenheim and Picton, and who now lives just a few kilometres away in the coastal settlement of Rarangi. When the Financial Times found itself having to downsize, Bev took voluntary redundancy. She continued living in London but began taking more trips and did some freelance travel writing. About this time her older sister Jenny, an artist and potter living in Tua Marina, was fighting terminal cancer so Bev returned home in 2008 to look after her. Jenny died four months later.

Photo: Jacqui Leslie

“We’re all part of an eco-system – people, the place we live, birds and plants.”

Above: Clockwise - MC at the Cawthron Environments Dinner; Bev down the Marlborough Sounds Opposite page: Bev and Jed the dog

“The Marlborough Sounds is a very special place in the world and a very special area for me.” The pair of them grew up on a 10-acre block with their parents Alice and Gordon – who met at teachers’ training college – and two brothers, Kerry and Alistair. Kerry is an entertainment writer in Toronto, while Alistair, who works part-time with disabled adults, owns 80ha of bush in New South Wales that includes a large garden and orchard.

Schooled in the land

Gardening and the land in general were an important part of growing up in the Doole household. “It was always very much about the land with Mum and Dad,” says Bev. “Mum, who was 90 when she died last year, was such an inveterate gardener.” Gordon taught agriculture at Marlborough Boys’ College and then came home to his market garden with crops such as pumpkin, sweetcorn and onions for seed. “With four kids he had plenty of child labour,” Bev jokes. “We grew up hoeing rows of pumpkins and trying to put sweetcorn back in before Dad saw we’d cut them off at the roots.” Bev believes her bucolic childhood played a part in shaping the direction of her life. “As I was growing up, I think I absorbed by osmosis gardening, the land, the dirt, growing vegetables and eating fresh from the garden. But I didn’t have much opportunity to do that until I came back from London.” She says returning home after 30 years away in Wellington and England had the biggest influence on her. “That was when I really came to appreciate Marlborough and where we live. The amazing landscape. The ability to grow food and fish for food and share food with friends. It was only when I got back that I valued all that.” She spent one summer working at the cellar door of Mahi Wines, near Renwick. “That also opened my eyes. Talking to tourists and visitors was another way of seeing how other people perceive Marlborough. It makes you appreciate what we’ve got here and want to look after it. “I keep thinking we’re all part of an eco-system – people, the place we live, birds and plants. I never had that sense living in a big city but I have it very strongly being back where I grew up. 19

Above: Clockwise - Kura te Au, a pastel drawing of Tory Channel by Jenny Doole-Leo; Alice and Gordon Doole with bounty from their Tua Marina garden; Bev and her parents on a picnic at Waikakaho in the 1970s

“The Marlborough Sounds is a very special place in the world and a very special area for me. I had my childhood holidays down there. I used to go to a lot of trouble when I was living in London to find a holiday like I can have so easily in the Sounds.” She also returned to a renewed awareness of community. “When I came back from London, what I really noticed and valued was the very strong sense of community; people who do things voluntarily; neighbours who keep an eye out for each other. That’s something which is important to me.”

Creating an environmentalist

So, does all this – her rural upbringing and parental role models, her enhanced appreciation of the province and her gentle determination to help protect the natural beauty – make Bev Doole an environmentalist? It might seem so though she’s wary of being labelled quite so easily. “Pigeon-holing isn’t helpful when we’re trying to get community, industry, council and government working together,” she says. She’s also uneasy about the adversarial nature of some development versus environment issues, and would prefer to seek co-operation and consensus to get better results all round. “An early memory of Mum was the [Save Lake] Manapouri campaign. She was organising a big petition and went to

“Understanding different viewpoints and trying to find ways to work together is a better way forward for looking after the environment, rather than the adversarial approaches of the past.” Parliament and presented it. I remember that because I saw her in the Marlborough Express. “So she had pretty firm views. I was always a bit shy to be doing that ‘at the front of the barricades’ thing. Banner-waving, table-thumping is not my style. I’m probably more of a behind-thescenes person. “I’m learning that understanding different viewpoints and trying to find ways to work together is a better way forward for looking after the environment, rather than the adversarial approaches of the past. It’s about having good information, building connections and finding common ground to get better decisions.”

Rewarding good works

n March the Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards, co-ordinated by Bev Doole, were held in the Convention Centre, Blenheim. The seven category winners were: Landscape and Habitat: Picton Dawn Chorus Forestry: Merrill and Ring Wine Industry: Pernod Ricard Winemakers Community Innovation: Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary Marine: Marlborough Girls’ College Farming: The Pyramid, Avon Valley Business Innovation: Vines Village Cafe Supreme Award: The Pyramid, Avon Valley

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Rocket man a DIY wonder Motorcycle racer Ashton Hughes has the determination and talent to go far. Eddie Allnutt meets a flyer.

hen Ashton Hughes’ speedometer isn’t registering up to 250km/h, he’s Corporal Hughes, an aircraft technician for the RNZAF at Ohakea. This 27-year-old, self-confessed ‘air force bachelor’ says if there were a lady in his life, she’d probably have to double up as pit-crew. Ashton was born on the West Coast but Nelson became his home after a family move and it’s the place he loves coming back to. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be – unless I’m racing, that is.” Ashton, who has rubbed fairings with New Zealand’s elite and sits fourth in the Supersport 600 Championship, has many chicanes ahead. “Sometimes there’s this misconception that as you get older you slow down but you actually grow smarter. The current NZ Supersport 600 leader is 46. Valentino Rossi is 40. I’m just getting started. “I’ve had some great success at the Nelson street race but I’d have to say this season, as a whole, is my best yet. Lap times are constantly improving and this has reflected in my results.” The New Zealand Superbike Championship comprises several divisions. Ashton competes in the Supersport 600 class, which is production-based motorcycles, generating 125bhp to reach around 250km/h, and it’s considered the premier class next to ‘the big boys’ Superbikes (200bhp). Lap times for Superbike tend to be two to three seconds faster than Supersport 600. “You could walk into a Triumph dealership today and buy something that pretty closely resembles my race bike in both looks and performance,” says Ashton.

“Sometimes there’s this misconception that as you get older you slow down, but you actually grow smarter.” A S H TO N H U G H E S

Supersport 600 consists of five rounds, all at different tracks, with a total of 15 races. Although consistency is important, the points system rewards winners, which makes for exciting racing because no one is going to win a championship by finishing fourth in every race.

Meet the crew

Ashton hails from a family with high-octane fuel pumping through their veins, so it comes as no surprise that he was riding his first motorbike before he was four. “My family is blended now and I’m fortunate that my parents and step-parents all love it. Dad had to abandon a prizegiving at the Blenheim Rally to attend my birth. “I graduated up through the classes and had some epic success racing my father’s Ducati 998 at club level until my grandfather turned up to a big race meeting and was so impressed he bought me a new Triumph 675R, which I’m currently campaigning. I couldn’t be more grateful to my family.” His mum is his manager. She insists that she maintains a professional detachment, although feeling ‘a crazy mix of pride and fear’. Remarkably, this talented speedster, who isn’t a stranger to CRC Motorsport, has done it all without a major sponsor. Ashton and his family have funded almost everything until now, but with just one season’s tyre costs being $13,000, not to mention the rest, financial help is now being sought. Ashton feels confident with the consistency of his performances and improvement. Media focus tends to be towards the leading riders – where he usually sits – and concentrates on the glitzy stuff, so an upgrade in team branding would help. And might he go abroad? “Kiwis have proven they’ve got what it takes to go fast on two wheels. There are a lot of options out there and European teams are often looking for riders. I’ll give that more consideration once this season is out of the way.”

Photo: Aaron Staples

R I S I N G S TA R

“You try and keep your head as clear as possible, but you do find yourself weighing up risk-versusreward situations.”

Photo: Paul Blondell

“Is there any better way to spend the day other than watching bikes turn Port Nelson into a racetrack, hurtling past at over 180km/h?” Ashton asks. The Port Nelson event is a ‘must do’ for every racer because the atmosphere is buzzing with it being holiday season, he adds. Ashton raced there for the first time in 2016, finishing first in F2, and second in F1. “I know the Nelson Street Race committee has been working hard to make it happen again, so I’m really looking forward to putting on a show for Nelson. My Triumph does like wheel stands.” As for the rigors of racing generally, “We have to be really fit. As soon as fatigue sets in, the mind is the first to go. Then you’re out there on your own, piloting a rocket-ship with several litres of explosive liquid clamped between your legs.” He describes racing as neither stressful nor relaxing, but requiring a profound focus. “Ironically, you spend a great deal of effort and training trying to reduce your perception of speed. If you feel like you’re moving slower, you’ll actually go faster. “It’s about being consistently smooth and confident. You have to back yourself. You try and keep your head as clear as possible, but you do find yourself weighing up risk-versus-reward situations. Is it worth pushing for that pass, or do I only need to apply pressure and wait for a mistake? Who’s behind me? Are they a threat?” Born on the Coast, he’s a natural in the wet, although it’s the heat that can make things interesting. “The rain – you either love it or hate it. I’m one of the lucky ones who love it. You just have to be a little more comfortable with it, and aware of the bike moving around underneath you. “But actually, heat has the biggest effect on the track surface, and consequently with what it does to tyres, primarily the rear one. We race in summer, so the track temperature can approach 50 degrees on a still day. At this temperature, a tyre can start to feel greasy.”

Photo: Aaron Staples

Taking it to the streets

Above: Clockwise - New racing colours; production racing; Ashton with his ride Opposite page: Race day

Photo: Kristen Summers

Fine-tuned for the conditions

Race set-up is a science these days, with a huge focus on the subtle sensations you get from the bike through the tyres, suspension and seat. “Do I know what the front tyre is doing? How does the feedback feel through the front forks? How is my rear grip? Does the bike hold its line? All of this is tunable. “I pride myself on being able to do this myself. I have to; I can’t just go and ask someone to make it happen – that costs. I have to research what will work. “In this sport there are a lot of constants; the track doesn’t really change and the clock is always watching. You’re really the only variable so you get to be quite analytical with your progress if this suits your style of thinking.” Ashton says you can tell a lot about a rider during a race if you look closely: “If the bike has a slide or near-crash, look at the change in their body language. If they’ve been holding position behind a rider for 18 laps and the white flag comes out, you can notice the shift in determination. They are not just sitting there.” And what motivates Ashton? “The first motorcycle was built in 1885, and they say the first motorcycle race happened when the second one was built. The principle has never changed – you want to be faster than your closest rivals.” 23

Photo: Jim Tannock

LOCAL CONNECTION

Gathering pages from the past for the future One man’s passion for the past is protecting the heritage of Marlborough’s east coast. Sophie Preece explains more.

“I

’ve got a terrible memory,” claims Jack Taylor, before plucking another piece of Marlborough history from the remarkable records in his head. Sitting in the Ward tearooms, once the location of the Flaxbourne blacksmith, the 90-year-old heritage enthusiast quietly recalls historic moments, locations and people of the region’s east coast, all with remarkable precision. He talks of the 19 shipwrecks between 1845 and 1947, the rich Maori history of the region, and the origin of road and landmark names around Ward. London Hill, for example, is named for one of the three ships that brought in sheep for Charles Clifford and Frederick Weld, the men who founded Flaxbourne Station in 1846, says Jack. Tachalls Rd harks back to a settler from Summerset who, in the 1860s or ’70s, reportedly had a liaison with a maid in ‘the big house’, he says. That resulted in the ‘very English’ Weld and Clifford sending him to a remote rabbiting hut on the back blocks of the station. “They

said, ‘This is not on. You have to either leave your job or we will build you a hut in the hills, way back, and you can be a boundary rider or a rabbiter’. You can still see where he lived up there.” Kaka Rd is named thus because kaka once thrived here, and Chancet Rocks are a misspelling of the phrase Chance It, says Jack, talking of the old coastal trading ships that would call in on their way past, to see if there was anything to pick up. “One time they were going past and it was a bit rough and they said ‘We’ll go to those rocks there and chance it’.” This remarkable recall is par for the course, says Sally Peter, whose father grew up in Ward and talked about Jack when she was a child. She met the community stalwart when she married in 1986 and moved to the sea- and wind-beaten Cape Campbell farm, its coastline the site of many of those shipwrecks, and of the lighthouse built to warn sailors of jagged reefs.

The newcomers arrived by foot, horse and wagons, often to a piece of land they had never seen, and many lived in tents for 12 months before they could construct makeshift homes.

She too became intrigued by the stories of those who had lived here before, from moa hunters and wreck survivors to new farmers and railway workers, so for the past three decades has worked with Jack to record the region’s history. Together they forged a museum with members of the Settlers Association to collect a lifetime of collected treasures, and together they have planned a new heritage centre, after their beloved museum was destroyed in the 2016 earthquake.

New heritage centre

Photo: Kristin Ruwhiu Photo: Kristin Ruwhiu

“Every time I meet Jack he tells me something new that I didn’t know,” Sally says, still bemused by the seemingly endless depths of his memory. “I go home to my husband and say ‘Jack told me something else today. Where does he get all this information from?’” Sally follows the threads up, inevitably finding Jack’s memories sound, and writes them down, supplementing the records captured by Jack nearly 20 years ago when he wrote Flaxbourne: Its People and Their Stories. Jack was born in Blenheim in 1929, and grew up on Dog Hill farm near Ward, which has been in his family for 100 years this year. The farm was bought by his father and uncle in 1919, 14 years after the 23,000 hectare Flaxbourne Station was broken up by the New Zealand Government’s Lands for Settlement Act, so that Flaxbourne township could be established and 300 people settled on smaller parcels of land. The newcomers arrived by foot, horse and wagons, often to a piece of land they had never seen, and many lived in tents for 12 months before they could construct makeshift homes. The instant community soon formed a Settlers Association, still going strong today, which in turn saw the school, hall and churches built. There was talk that the railway would come through, and a lot of settlers bought small blocks of land, counting on the men being able to work on the line, Jack and Sally say. Dairy farms proliferated, with cows milked by hand and cream sent through to Blenheim. When the railway was opened in 1911, the town was renamed for the then minister of railways, and future prime minister, Joseph Ward.

Above: Clockwise - Jack and his trusty companion Roy on the farm, in the days before helmets were required; Jack looking over the saltworks, shaded by a giant macrocarpa tree planted in 1922 by his uncle George Opposite page: Jack Taylor and Sally Peter, guardians of Flaxbourne’s heritage

Gathering this information has been lifetime’s work for Jack, who recalls working with his father and brothers on the farm, “or making out you were working anyway”, and hearing stories of its history. By the time he was at Ward School in the 1930s, there was a roll of 60 kids, as well as a dozen horses grazing in the paddock beside the school each day, as the Flaxbourne families settled in to the region. Jack’s eldest brother went away to war, but Jack’s only extended time away from the farm was in his teenage years, when he went out blade shearing in other parts of Marlborough, in what he calls “a really good part of your life”.

Gathering the clues together

When Jack came back to work on the family land, he listened to the stories people told and delved into the background of the items and places that piqued his interest. Some, like Chanchet, he is sure of, while others are best guess, like the shepherd for whom One Armed Gully is named. “Some of us say he probably lost his arm in the Crimean war, because the dates would probably fit.” Piecing together the history can be about following clues, and Jack is the ultimate detective, says Sally. There’s plenty more to be done, says Jack, determinedly. “We’ve probably lost 70 or 80 percent of our history. Sally and I are just searching for that 20 or 30 percent.” Late last year Jack was awarded a Lion’s Life Membership for his commitment to community, including, but not limited to, his passion for passing on the stories of the past. Sally gathered information on her friend for the awards night, and wrote of his ability in the rifle club, his love of rugby and his passion for native birds and plants, having been a member of the ornithological group for most of his life. “It was only a few years ago that Jack gave up playing table tennis, a sport he excelled in,” she wrote in her piece, revealing that he’d won the Marlborough men’s title 12 times, and was part of the 1966 four-man South Island team to play against the North Island. Now she and Jack and have a fresh new challenge ahead of them with the rebuild of the Flaxbourne Heritage Centre, she concludes. “I know my partner in crime will be there to help me make the right decisions.” 25

Joinery & Design Awards

Flair, innovation and style in cutting-edge joinery The GoldenEdge Nelson Tasman and Marlborough Joinery and Design Awards 2019 BY SADIE HOOPER | PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED

igh quality and a good number of entries from Nelson Tasman and Marlborough were highlights of the recent 2019 GoldenEdge Joinery and Design Awards. Promoting excellence through joinery, the awards showcase some of the finest work from the industry across the Top of the South, and are designed to encourage the use of sustainable timber and best practice, while at the same time celebrating creative innovation and design. Above: Supreme Award & Best Kitchen Design 26

Entries were judged on the level of workmanship and skill involved, along with the use of materials, complexity of the project and visual appeal. Judges this year were Lyn Russell of Lyn Russell Design, Char and Paul Jack of Edito Design, Rachel Dodd of Arthouse Architects and David Shelling, Topzone Benchtops. Convenor Philip Thompson says some of the awards may be controversial, but he and the judges were impressed at the amount of good entries and the high quality overall.

JUDGING PANEL

Lyn Russell, Char Jack, Paul Jack, Rachel Dodd and David Shelling

What the judges thought

Judge David Shelling, of Topzone Benches, says it was nice to see some vibrant colour being used such as in the kitchen awarded the best use of colour, and also in a couple of other entries. As a judge, he always looks to see how closely the end result follows the client brief, and he says this year they were spot on. “I was impressed; they really hit the mark.” David also found it pleasing to see more creativity coming through in the benchtops. “Instead of the standard rectangle, people are creating different shapes and also adding small details that differentiate their benches and kitchen from others. This creativity is resulting in a lot of unique kitchens.” One ongoing trend he noted is waterfall benches, while another is people opting for thinner bench tops. Arthouse Architects director Rachel Dodd has sat on the judging panel since the awards inception six years ago; a role she describes as a privilege. “These awards are only possible due to the dedication of Phil Thompson who saw the need to show and celebrate some of the amazing work that is being produced locally within the industry,” she explains.

“Once again, our region punches above its weight, being home to a number of outstanding joiners. We are lucky to have a range of local talent who can take a client’s vision and turn it into a realised physical form that can inspire and delight, all the while overcoming the practical challenges that any project inevitably brings with it. “To all those who entered, I would like to say congratulations. The industry is in good hands.”

High calibre of entries

Philip Thompson, event organiser and awards presentation MC, says that entries have grown from an intial handful to this year’s significant event with 193 entries all of a very high calibre. “Increasingly we are seeing local manufacturers and joiners producing work that is unsurpassed across New Zealand. Last year’s National Joinery successes underline this statement. Many of the entries indicated, especially in the kitchen space, influences from overseas and there were many great examples where joiners have utilised New Zealand manufactured products to create solutions. “Materials overall are luxurious and tactile including engineered stone, acrylic, dark solid and lighter timbers. We see the clashing of patterns and mixtures of textures in the same area. Entries also included many bespoke kitchens, well designed with both modern looks and also eclectic and heritage styles also. “From a colour perspective, accents were yellows, reds and a lot of blue. Texture-wise satin, flat and matte finishes were very apparent, and kitchens were further ‘softened’ by the addition of lighting and accessories.” Philip says dining tables were incorporated into various kitchens, with designs blending thick over thin, dark over light and texture over smooth. “They showed great use of all things available, with the message that not everything needs to be the same. “Overall the awards were another great success.”

T H IS Y EA R ’S AWA R D W I N N E R S Supreme Award & Best Kitchen Design Bays Joinery

Best Kitchen $20K-$40K Cooper Webley

Best Benchtop Cooper Webley

Best Kitchen under $20K The Sellers Room

Best Use of Colour Bays Joinery Best Use of Lighting Bays Joinery Best Kitchen The Sellers Room

Best Window or Door Ruby Bay Joinery

Best Apprentice Liam Dohmen, Prestige Joinery

Interior Design Award PK Designs

Best Use of Timber Casey’s Joinery

Best Fitment The Sellers Room

Emerging Designer Nelson Award Ryan Clarke, Complete Kitchens

Best Spatial Innovation Nazareth Joinery

Best Commercial Fit-out Cooper Webley

Emerging Designer Marlborough Award Leigh Jones, Nazareth Joinery

Customer Journey Award Complete Kitchens

Supreme Award & Best Kitchen Design

Best Use of Lighting

Best Use of Colour

Supreme Award & Best Kitchen Design – Bays Joinery

The brief for this new build was a classy, elegant kitchen that created a bold statement by incorporating accents of the owner’s eclectic style. The design includes a seating booth that blends cohesively with an adjoining scullery, and a range hood inspired by traditional colonial homes. The design contrasts high gloss black and matte white with brass accents throughout the kitchen and scullery. Accents include turned legs on the island, and the owner’s own treasures such as crystal handles and a brass towel rail transformed into the fridge door handle. Making the range-hood housing a key focal point proved challenging because the new build lacked the height of an older home with a higher stud, but this was overcome by lowering the wall units on either side in proportion, making the benchtop proud and highlighting the top of the housing with lighting.

Best Benchtop - Cooper Webley

A showroom is a space to inspire customers and this benchtop takes that philosophy to the next level. While it may not be what most people will install in their kitchens, it shows that anything is possible. Crafted from LSS acrylic, it includes LED strip lights rebated into the perimeter and backlighting the waterfall 28

Best Benchtop

end. The bench integrates seamlessly with the island, while the coloured LED lights show that lights don’t have to be white and can be incorporated as a feature of the kitchen.

Best Use of Colour – Bays Joinery

The clients were a fun, adventurous couple who were happy to step out of the box and embrace vibrancy and colour in their kitchen. Early in the design process they gravitated towards a sunny yellow, creating the challenge of building a cohesive colour scheme incorporating this and the strong black to achieve balance and harmony. The island also had to flow into a table top which became an integral part of the design.

Best Use of Lighting – Bays Joinery

The clients had a clear concept of what they wanted for their kitchen, which included catering for a busy, social family and interacting well with the adjacent open-plan living zone. The design uses neutral paint-lacquered cabinetry paired with American white oak, tied together with a stone top and matching stone splashback, further enhanced with subtle yet effective lighting.

Supreme Award Best Kitchen Design

WHY NOT HAVE THE BEST … Proud winners of 4 awards at the 2019 Regional Joinery and Design Awards

Best Use of Creative Lighting

Best Use of Colour

www.baysjoinery.co.nz 03 544 0087 In recognition of excellence in workmanship & expertise • Supreme Award • Best Kitchen Design

• Best Use of Colour • Best Use of Creative Lighting 29

Best Kitchen

Best Kitchen under $20K

Best Kitchen – The Sellers Room

A new kitchen as part of an extensive house renovation, this contemporary look delivers an open living space that overlooks outdoor social areas. The owners were very specific about the look and wanted to reuse bricks from the older part of the house as a splashback in the new kitchen.

Best Kitchen $20K to $40K - Cooper Webley

In an era where white kitchens dominate, this totally black kitchen creates a standout feature in a newbuild. With the rest of the home remaining white, the darkness of the family kitchen provides an anchor while absorbing the light reflected from the white materials. Patterned black tiles in the splashback break up the matte black look of the fronts, while creating texture and interest. The lack of handles allows a seamless look to transpire, giving the splashback room to shine.

Best Kitchen under $20K – The Sellers Room

The clients’ existing kitchen had become very tired and no longer suited a busy home with young children. Colours needed changing to make a more modern cleanline look. Black accents were chosen to work alongside and enhance the colours chosen for the rest of the room, particularly the beam work in the ceiling. The area 30

Best Kitchen $20K to $40K

Best Fitment

Best Commercial Fit-out

was long and narrow and had a stairwell to be considered, resulting in the kitchen table being integrated into the island to allow meal times to also function as social time.

Best Fitment – The Sellers Room

Using a combined brief from the client and the architect, this staircase was created to reflect other joinery items throughout the home and look more like furniture. The common theme is black powder-coated steel that has been used on furniture legs, hanging rails and screens. The stairs were designed so their connections, structure and treads were fixed to the wall with no visible connections or balustrades. Doing so then required a structural engineer sign-off to meet New Zealand Compliant Standards.

Best Commercial Fit-out – Cooper Webley

The fit-out of Pic’s Peanut Butter World resulted in an award-winning design that covers both the business’s current needs and future expansion needs. The challenge was to find solutions that delivered on the specification issued by the architect.

T HE SELLER S R OO M

WINNER at the 2019 Regional Joinery and Design Awards including:

BEST KITCHEN • BEST KITCHEN UNDER $20,000

Residential & Commercial Joinery

BEST FITMENT • BEST APPRENTICE ( judges’ commendation)

BEST KITCHEN

Think THE SELLERS ROOM Design Team

Visit our showroom at 9 Echodale Place

BEST KITCHEN UNDER $20,000

BEST FITMENT

Myles & Margarette Sellers

BATHROOMS • LAUNDRIES • STAIRS • WARDROBES • COMMERCIAL • FURNITURE

Freephone 0800 469 537 • Phone 03 547 7144 msellers@thesellersroom.co.nz | 9 Echodale Place, Stoke | thesellersroom.co.nz

Interior Design Award

Best Door

Emerging Designer Nelson Award

Best Window or Door – Ruby Bay Joinery

The entrance to a new home, every detail of this door was meticulously designed and carefully chosen. Reflecting the character of its owners – bold, strong and unique – this traditionally-made, extra thick, solid cedar pivot door radiates warmth and sanctuary, finished off with modern high-spec hardware.

Interior Design Award – PK Designs

A complete renovation encompassed the majority of this cliff-top home, with emphasis on a functional kitchen design that allowed the owners to entertain. Less fuss and more about surfaces was a key factor with the warmth of timber veneers and solid Silestone counter tops adding a sense of European design. This was not all about mass cabinetry; it was more about function and design, allowing for negative space merging furniture and kitchen capabilities.

Emerging Designer Marlborough Award

Emerging Designer Nelson Award – Ryan Clarke, Complete Kitchens

Ryan has taken his many years’ experience in the joinery industry to another level by adding kitchen design to his expertise. Ryan produced a number of entries that were evidence of excellent material selection, understanding of space and ability to work to a budget. The judges applauded his functional designs.

Emerging Designer Marlborough Award – Leigh Jones, Nazareth Joinery

Nazareth Joinery owner Leigh Jones won the emerging Designer Award for the Marlborough region. Expanding his skills within the business he recently became involved in design as well, and has already won several accolades. The judges acknowledged his ability to produce high-quality kitchens to customers’ budgets, and provide a WOW factor.

“... every detail of this door was meticulously designed and carefully chosen. Reflecting the character of its owners – bold, strong and unique ... ” 32

PROUD WINNERS of two awards at the 2019 Joinery & Design Awards • CUSTOMER JOURNEY AWARD • EMERGING DESIGNER AWARD

completekitchens.co.nz

ORANGE JOINERY PRESTIGE JOINERY A K JOINERY LTD BAYS JOINERY LTD RUBY BAY JOINERY NAZARETH JOINERY LTD CANTWELL JOINERY ITM JOINERY WAIMEA WEST JOINERY LTD MOTUEKA JOINERY MATAI JOINERY LTD WALKLINS JOINERY LTD THE SELLERS ROOM SIMPLY JOINERY JAMES NEAL JOINERY RE SPACE LTD COOPER WEBLEY (2006) LTD BRIGHTWATER CABINETMAKER & JOINERY LTD VIKING FURNITURE & JOINERY LTD THE CUSTOM SPACE COMPLETE KITCHENS

Phone: 03 539 0055 Email: contact@completekitchens.co.nz Showroom: 2 Fuji Court, Stoke, Nelson

BEST DOOR 2019 Bespoke Design | Traditionally Made | Solid Cedar

Trust your local registered Master Joiner FREE QUOTATION & DESIGN

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kitchens . wooden windows · wooden doors · stairs · balustrades vanities · entertainment units . wardrobes · interior cabinetry benchtops · custom-made furniture · commercial

Best Apprentice: From left - Liam Dohmen and convenor Philip Thompson

Best Use of Timber

Best Spatial Innovation

Best Apprentice – Liam Dohmen, Prestige Joinery

The challenge was to create an en-suite vanity to match existing bedside cabinets. Liam’s work earned him high praise from the client: ‘Huge thank you for the vanity ... wonderful craftsmanship skills and an amazing job. Very happy, top marks; highly recommended; keep up the good work.’

Best Use of Timber – Casey’s Joinery

Working against the joiners’ philosophy of perfection, instead aiming for imperfections, imbalance and mismatched rustic aesthetics, created this unique café in Nelson’s iconic Boat Shed eatery. Trashed by the Cyclone Fehi storm in February 2018, the 1906 café was gutted and then re-fitted in a manner similar to what it was previously, but with new features and a feeling of rustic charm. Salvaged materials from The Boat Shed were given new life, while recycled rimu sarking from the café owners’ home cladding was whitewashed and used for the front of the bar/counter. The bar/countertop surface is a stained American ash while the project’s steel work was completed in Casey’s Joinery’s workshop. The lacquered carcass was sprayed in the company’s booth then joined in its workshop. 34

Customer Journey Award

Best Spatial Innovation – Nazareth Joinery

Converting a tiny space into an efficient walk-in pantry proved challenging at times with a space measuring only 1000 x 1850. The brief was for a useful, out-of-sight area with equal emphasis on function and aesthetic so it wasn’t just a matter of cramming in as many gadgets as possible. Custom-building provided the solution with good balance between storage solutions and symmetrical simplicity.

Customer Journey Award – Complete Kitchens

Re-modelling this kitchen in a quaint remote cottage included overcoming several issues. The kitchen couldn’t be installed until the building work was done and the boiler removed. Because of the remote location the client had difficulty getting trades people to do the work. Adding to that, the work could only be done in the evenings and weekends. Complete Kitchens took over the project management, sorting all the evening and weekend appointments and the trades people to ensure the building work was completed, so it could then complete the new kitchen.

CEIL

quality kitchens • vanities • custom furniture timber joinery • shop fittings and counters stairs and pre-hung doors 38 Beach Road, Richmond p: 03 544 1789 m: 027 249 7551 e: prestigejoinery@xtra.co.nz

ING FAN

Circulate the Heat COL

www.prestigejoinery.net.nz

LECTIO

It’s not what you SEE,

STOREY home collection

65 Collingwood St, Nelson (03) 548 4945 www.storeycollection.co.nz www.lighthouselighting.co.nz

WE SUPPLY & FIT Warmup Undertile & Undercarpet heating

it’s how it makes

you FEEL NELSON TILE & SLATE CENTRE 40 Vanguard Street, Nelson neltile@xtra.co.nz www.nelsontileandslate.co.nz

Ph: 03 548 7733 OPEN - MON to FRI - 8am to 5pm SATURDAY from 10am to 2pm

2 hours’ FREE parking

Winter Warmth

Getting smarter & warmer Alistair Hughes finds no excuse for ‘toughing it out’ in the traditional Kiwi way.

ccording to ancient myth, when Prometheus planned to steal fire from the gods and share the warmth with mortals, he needed a container to pull this heist off. Settling for a glass tube, things went badly for him from that point on. Humanity has certainly discovered far more convenient and efficient heating methods since, and advances continue to be made. Chris Chapman and Fraser Dayman, at Nelson’s Chapmanz Central Heating, know how important a warm property is. “I returned to a customer to service their boiler, and when I walked in the door I got a hug,” Chris recounts. “They told me I’d changed their house into a home. So heating is something we really enjoy doing because of the reaction we get from people.” Chris keeps an eye on heating technology developments overseas and sees plenty of applications for New Zealand. “The latest thing that’s coming in is ‘radiant heating and cooling panels’. They are aluminium with a network of centrally heated pipes inside, and sit between the rafters or battens where gib is fitted to the ceiling. Originally from Britain, Chris has been installing central heating for 15 years, and believes it could be employed a lot more efficiently in this country. “Underfloor heating is used quite a bit in New Zealand, but 90 percent of the installations are done by tying the pipes to the mesh in the construction slabs. You then have to heat the bulk of the slab, so it takes a bit of time to get it up to temperature.” Instead, Chris advocates putting the pipes on top of the construction slab, on an insulated panel with a 40mm screen on the top, “so it’s far easier to get the heat through quickly, then cool it, and costs less to run.” 36

There’s even a control system that regulates the humidity within the house and the temperature of the water, so that condensation doesn’t form.

Power supply ‘maxed-out’

Another issue with conventional heating options bothers Chris: “New Zealand is basically ‘maxed-out’ on electricity generation. Unless there’s a massive increase, the government is going to run into all sorts of trouble. I know they struggle now, with the lakes as low as they’ve been, and little wind.” He contends that heat pumps will be a better option when solar-powered, but for now he prefers to work with gas. “The gas boilers we put in burn at 98-plus efficiency. It’s a really good medium for heating. We can put in a gas boiler, and if it’s needed, from that same supply we can run to a gas cooker, and even to a remote BBQ point somewhere. Then there’s ‘combi-boilers’, which are central heating and a califont (gas-powered water heater) all in one unit. So there are lots of ways it can work, and it’s clean.” Using hydrogen for gas boilers might also lie ahead. Another development Chris foresees is ‘heat recovery’. “Humidity within the house is managed by air circulation, and whatever heat you put in, you get the best out of it. It’s like a wall fan, and it pulls air out of the house past a ceramic battery, and after 90 seconds, it reverses, and pulls the air back in. Because that ceramic battery has heated up, it warms the air coming into the room.” In terms of efficiency and economy, controlled systems may be the best way forward. “You can get a hybrid system now, which is a heat pump and a gas boiler. The control system can decide which of these heat sources is the most efficient to use at that particular time and switch between them.”

“They told me I’d changed their house into a home.” CHRIS CHAPMAN

Chris feels attitudes are changing in New Zealand, as we move away from our ‘tough it out’ pioneer attitude to home heating. “When I first started installing central heating in Nelson it was almost seen as a bit of an indulgence. A bit like when people got their first colour telly – it was a novelty. But it has become a way of putting real value on the property, as people become more aware and educated about heating.” Jamie Marwick, of Tim Miller Plumbing, says Kiwis have grown up gathered around the family fire to heat themselves during winter. “However, now with new technology it is no longer one of our only options. “Radiator and underfloor heating is still new to New Zealand but fast becoming a trend. Because there is no forced air movement there are no drafts, hot and cold spots or fans to contend with. It is the modern version of a fire with the same radiant heat, which is passive and unobtrusive. It warms objects and fabric within the room and the process is superbly efficient.”

New trends

Other recent developments are clean-burning gas and diesel boilers, and energy efficient air-to-water heat pumps. Jamie says his firm has a radiator/underfloor system in its showroom at 11 Salisbury Rd, Richmond. “There is nothing better than experiencing it for yourself.” One newly innovative product on the market which is becoming a leader in its field is Polar energy, says Rob North of Marlborough Plumbing and Heating. “Polar Energi Norway has developed and patented a unique and world leading technology solution which combines a cylinder and heat pump into one heat plant.” He says Polar Energi’s research and development focuses on the environment and long-term sustainability. “The company’s ambition is to develop a technology that not only meets the expectations of innovation and energy-efficiency for our customers, but also contribute to a better climate for the benefit of all who live on this planet.” Marlborough Plumbing and Heating is the Top of the South installer for Polar Energi and Rob says that the product simply sells itself. “This is a fantastic product. We are excited to work with such progressive technology that is great for the customers and the environment!”

Hearth-warming options for winter

Our spectacular summer brought a mix of blessings and curses for many in the region, who may not have been unhappy to see autumn rain. And now that there is a distinct crispness to the air, thoughts are turning to enjoying cosy evenings indoors. Darker nights herald the return of ritual chopping and arranging of kindling, the primal sense of satisfaction as orange flames blossom amidst crackling twigs and pinecones, and the wonderful smoky aroma as warmth spreads throughout your living room. The first fireplace I lived with was a formidable specimen – a baronial hearth in the reception hall of a Scottish youth hostel. Part of my duties as assistant warden was to keep the fire stoked with appropriately scaled sections of tree trunk, and it became a natural gathering point for hostellers. International co-operation, new friendships and even brief romances flourished in its warm, amber glow, until we were joined one night by a brave, and presumably flame-resistant, bat that suddenly flew down the chimney. Multilingual squeals of fright erupted from travellers of all nations as this airborne rodent swooped around the panicking room at head height. Finally the doors were flung open, and the poor creature flitted back into the chilly night. Happily, far more practical heating options are available in New Zealand.

Central heating

An effective way of evenly warming an entire house, this is commonly used in Europe but less so in New Zealand, mainly due to the relatively high cost of installation. Also known as hydronic heating, it is a water-based system that, naturally enough, can also heat the household water supply. The heat source can be a boiler (gas or solid fuel) or a heat pump. Heated water is circulated throughout the house via a system of insulated pipes, running under a floor slab or to individual radiators. Central heating can also be retro-fitted, running under existing timber floors or inside walls. 37

Heat pumps

Extremely convenient and economical if used properly, heat pumps employ the same technology as refrigerators and air conditioners, circulating refrigerant through a cycle of evaporation and condensation between two exchanger coils. During evaporation heat is absorbed from the surroundings, and then released inside through condensation. Warmth can always be supplied to a home because outside air and ground contain some heat, even on a cold day. As with any electrical appliance, make sure it is correctly sized for your needs, and check the energy efficiency rating. Obvious drawback: a power outage means no heat.

Wood burners

Depending upon your access to firewood, wood burners can be inexpensive to run, and assuming the wood is seasoned properly, (stored under cover for at least 12 months), they are clean and

Extremely convenient and economical if used properly, heat pumps employ the same technology as refrigerators and air-conditioners. efficient. Incorporated wetback systems also allow for the heating of water, where appropriate. Although wood burners are effective at heating large spaces, options are also available for transferring warmed air to other parts of the home. The Ministry for the Environment has released an approved list of wood burners based upon the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality. This applies to burners installed after September 2005, on properties less than two hectares, and can be found at www.mfe.govt.nz/woodburners.

Wood-pellet burners

Pellets, made of dried and compressed sawdust and wood shavings, can be bought in 10, 15 and 20kg bags. They are loaded into a hopper at the back of the burner unit, and then an automatic system feeds them into the fire. As with wood burners, these are well-suited for heating large spaces and can incorporate a wetback system. They also allow for better heat control, and cleanly burn what are essentially waste products. A small amount of electricity is required in their operation, however, so power outages are problematic (although you can use a battery back-up system). They canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t burn wood, and air-quality control restrictions may apply in certain regions. 38

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The New Zealand Building Code published new amendments and compliances in August 2007, and by last October all new homes (and major renovations) were required to meet better insulation requirements. This is a rating system that measures how well insulation can resist heat flow, and is expressed as an â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;R-valueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (thermal resistance). Some materials may require more thickness to reach the same R-value as more effective insulating options. Double-glazing has double the R-value of single glazing in particular cases, but the type of window frames, window size and gas used between panes of glass are also contributing factors to the overall rating. Meeting the required standard is a matter of numbers, and methods for calculating R-values can be found in the Building Code.

Requirements also vary depending on which area of the country you live in. New Zealand is divided into three zones. Zone 1 is the upper-most North Island, Zone 2 covers the rest of the North Island (excluding the central plateau), and the remainder of the country is Zone 3. R-values vary between zones to cope with climate. For example, the roof of a timber-framed house in Zones 1 and 2 must have a minimum R-value of 2.9, whereas in the less temperate Zone 3 this rating rises to 3.3. Heart-warming news for those who still have memories of freezing student flats is that from July 1 ceiling and underfloor insulation will be compulsory in all rental homes. So colder seasons will hopefully be more pleasant for us all as we hunker down to await the return of spring.

Gas heaters (natural and LPG)

A gas supply is steadily burned by a flame, which warms air entering the heating unit. This heat can then be circulated into the room using vents or a fan. Flued heaters allow the warmth to be controlled with a thermostat and timer, and once again this method is suitable for heating large spaces. However, the cost of LPG bottles can be relatively high. Un-flued gas heaters are effective and portable but can emit up to a litre of water per hour, causing dampness. Ventilation is strongly recommended due to gas emissions.

Electric heaters

A wide variety of electric heating options are available, from panel to convection, oil column, radiant, infra-red and fan heaters. According to Consumer NZ, they are uniformly efficient at converting electricity into heat, but have specific advantages and disadvantages in particular situations. For example, convection and oil heaters warm the air in a room, gradually providing good background heat, whereas radiant heaters warm surfaces quickly but the heat is more confined to a specific area. 40

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Learning Difficulties

Unlocking the magic of words Parents of children with dyslexia are pushing for change, Maike van der Heide reports. PHOTOGRAPHY DOMINIQUE WHITE

livia Sellers had a knack for memorising every single dish that waiters carried past at restaurants. It wasn’t a game – as hard as she tried, the Nelson teenager couldn’t read the menu. Olivia has dyslexia and dyspraxia, which means her brain learns in a different way from the general population, in particular with reading. Her learning differences were first noticed by a pre-school teacher. “We were very grateful for that as we probably never would have picked it up because she was social and had an amazing memory,” says her mother, Margarette. A challenging – at times heartbreaking – decade of searching would be needed to find a method that helped Olivia to read. She tried a variety of programmes, but “none hit the spot”, says Margarette. Frustrated, she searched the Internet and found Marlborough man Noel McArthur’s programme, Anyone Can Read. “There was a testimonial on it and I thought, ‘Oh my Gosh, this lady’s writing my story’,” says Margarette. Noel’s arrival on a Sunday afternoon changed Olivia’s life. “He said, ‘You’re not a dummy. You’re not the slowest kid in the class who has to be taken out and given special help.’ He said, ‘You are a young lady and I need to build up your confidence again.’ Immediately we saw her go from feeling down about herself and uncertain about what her strengths were, to being this amazing young woman.” The reading style was “really basic learning, repetitive – read the key words and pick the sentence around it,” Margarette explains. About four months later, Margarette took Olivia, 15, out to 42

lunch. She noticed her daughter was reading the menu, instead of watching dishes go past and saying, “I’ll have that one”.

Finding the key

“If your child is struggling, don’t give up. Keep searching until you find the right help.” So says Specific Learning Disabilities teacher Tessa Whiteman, of Nelson, who has taught children with dyslexia since 2005. Children are assessed using international guidelines before one-on-one teaching begins. “We undergo training for specific learning disabilities. Combine that with a few years of experience and you get a pretty good service.” Tessa, one of several SLD teachers in Nelson/Tasman, (“we always need more”), says cognitive neuroscience is an important part of her approach. It’s about brain function and looking out for signs of specific learning disability. Children who struggle with reading, writing, literacy and sometimes maths are otherwise intelligent, often above-average, Tessa says, adding that adults can also be helped. “A dyslexic person will be absolutely superb at grasping the big picture. They think in images rather than words and they are often really good at problem-solving and can see an issue from a different angle to most of us. “They’re often very good orally because they have learned using oral language. The printed word is beyond them.” Like Noel, Tessa has seen the ‘coping mechanisms’ that children adopt in the classroom, “and those are sometimes very evident for teachers”. She uses physical exercise as a learning tool – “learning and movement are intrinsically connected” – as the

“You can literally change their future, and it’s a most amazing experience to have.” TESSA WHITEMAN, REMEDIAL TEACHER

children begin to develop chronological awareness, then begin to unlock the meaning of sounds and symbols. “You can literally change their future, and it’s a most amazing experience to have.”

Unlocking the key to literacy

Noel McArthur is a former Marlborough teacher and principal who is passionate about teaching people to read, and not afraid to challenge a system he says is letting them down. Through Anyone Can Read, he tutors people in the Youth Justice and Corrections system and, while it can be demanding, he relishes seeing the transformation they make. Like Olivia, many students showed improvement after just a few hours, which Noel attributes to simply removing the burden of being told they couldn’t do it. “People will read this and say, ‘You can’t teach a kid to read in four hours’, and they’re right, but it’s about removing the blockages to the reading process. It changes the way they see themselves and their ability to learn.” He likens teaching a child to read to a toddler learning to talk. “You didn’t make them sound it out. You let them start badly and get better. This is the correct way to learn.” Noel questions why literacy is, in his experience, an issue now more than ever. Modern school curriculums and learning differences are “simply a mismatch of teaching and learning styles,” he says, adding that 30 years ago New Zealand topped English-speaking countries for literacy. Now it’s at the bottom. “Is it that there are more identified issues now, or did we just not label the kids 30 years ago?” Noel says he does an ‘intervention’. “It’s diagnostic and it’s the mechanics of the process that get you into the heart of what’s actually happening. I’m not concerned about their label – a kid is a kid. The question is, how much baggage do they bring with them? Every time they’ve been through a programme and failed, that leaves a scar.

Above: Clockwise - Margarette Sellers and daughter Olivia; Noel McArthur tutoring Olivia

“It changes the way they see themselves and their ability to learn.” N O E L M C A RT H U R

“The first job at school is to teach them to read. That’s the number one issue confronting education and the biggest blockage to kids’ futures.” Frustrated learners may show self-destructive, aggressive or violent behaviour as a result. “It’s bad for society and bad for the kid.”

Hiding the problem

People with learning difficulties can be so good at smoothing it over that they go unnoticed. Nelson’s Sarah Varey knows that all too well. She tutors youngsters with learning difficulties, is married to an undiagnosed dyslexic – a surgeon – and has a dyslexic daughter, a fourth-year university fine arts student. Her daughter was in Year 7 when she alerted her parents to her problem. “She had a common profile of a dyslexic girl – quiet, well-behaved, hard-working and doing everything she could to ‘fly under the radar’.” Sarah says many people with learning difficulties grow up “not really fitting in, because they know they’re clever but they’re the bottom in reading or maths. They have this distance between how they see themselves and how others see them, and there’s a lot of shame and anxiety.” And yet, dyslexic people can be very successful, she adds. “They are often entrepreneurs because they are able to use their strengths to their advantage.” Tessa has known of employers who search for dyslexic people because they are good at working with their hands, and great at problem-solving – perfect for trades like boatbuilding.

Help at hand

A wide range of help is available, from children’s programmes to adult learning support, to assistance with drivers’ licence applications and literacy programmes at tertiary providers. SPELD NZ, which has been around since the 1970s, has helped 71 families in the Nelson/Marlborough area over the past year and, according to Ministry of Education figures, deals with 10 percent of all NZ students. SPELD also trains educators and employs assessors to support schools and families. 43

However, programmes like SPELD and SLD must continually fundraise to offer their services and, although subsidies are available for people who can demonstrate financial hardship, families must pay. Last year, SPELD made a formal submission in response to the government’s action plan for early screening to identify children at risk for adequate government resourcing, and for the need to upskill educators to recognise learning problems. Noel has also been active at government level, and last year made a presentation to Association Minister of Education Tracey Martin. In it, he included statistics that 65 percent of prison youth inmates are dyslexic, 85 percent of the total prison population have literacy issues, and half of all eight-year-olds who can’t read will end up on welfare or in prison. “It’s absolutely staggering.” But, says Sarah, the profile of dyslexia is changing as parents push for schools to help. “Children and adults are definitely falling through the net. We’ve got to start thinking ‘What’s going on here?’ and not blaming the kids. Classically, the things teachers say are, ‘If they applied themselves, if they worked harder, if they didn’t get distracted, if they tried,’ – when really they’re working so hard.” Olivia received six hours of funded support at school, which was not enough, says her mother. “My argument is, they’re setting her up to fail from the start.” But Margarette doesn’t wish to discount the ‘amazing support’ Olivia encountered at school, irrespective of funding. Tessa says six-to-ten percent of all children have a learning difficulty, and many of them don’t get the help they need. “I’m very optimistic that things will get better because I think it’s going in the right direction. We just need more training for teachers who are interested in this kind of specialised work.”

Margarette is keen to be part of that change. Two years ago she organised an information evening for Noel. She expected 30 people – 70 attended. “The response he got from that was phenomenal. What was more amazing was that Olivia was happy to sit at the front, and afterwards she was selling Noel and the programme to others.” Noel’s ultimate goal is to bring his method into schools, and for every child to learn to read.

Where to find help SPELD: www.speld.org.nz SLD Nelson: www.sldnelson.org.nz Anyone Can Read: www.anyonecanread.co.nz Adult Learning Support Nelson: www.adultlearning.co.nz Learning Support Nelson/Marlborough: www.learningsupport.co.nz Kip McGrath Nelson: www.kipmcgrath.co.nz/nelson Literacy Aotearoa Nelson/Marlborough: www.literacy.org.nz DORE: www.dore.co.nz Davis Dyslexia: www.davisdyslexia.co.nz Dyslexia Foundation: www.dyslexiafoundation.org.nz Dyspraxia Support Group: dyspraxia.org.nz

Tyler’s story

yler Sowman had such a good memory that his parents didn’t realise he couldn’t read. “He would memorise the readers he brought home, and we were none the wiser,” says his mum, Megan. Diagnosed as dyslexic at age seven, Tyler’s case was more complex than just jumbling letters and numbers. He was an articulate speaker with a huge vocabulary, so some teachers didn’t understand how much he struggled. “When Tyler told them he couldn’t read the handouts, many teachers thought he was having them on. Because he couldn’t read the words from the whiteboard, he would be copying things down letter for letter – which would take forever. And the concentration needed for this often meant that the lesson wasn’t absorbed.” With a reader/writer, Tyler did well at exams. His parents tutored him at home. Megan attended seminars and Tyler completed a long list of programmes, both through his schools and privately, which took a toll on their mother-son relationship. “Tyler’s education probably consumed considerably more of his younger life than others his age due to his dyslexia, and this was so frustrating for him. People term dyslexia a learning difficulty but Tyler had no difficulty learning. He had difficulty reading and writing. Others see dyslexia as a gift – and this is the way Tyler sees it. He is great at problem-solving as he has the ability to see things so much differently than other people.”

Then, Megan attended a presentation by Noel McArthur, founder of Anyone Can Read. Tyler decided to give the programme a go – the choice was entirely his. He spent a few hours with Noel, and the next day, he read a chapter of a book and could understand and retain it. For Tyler, that was a first. “After Noel left that day Tyler said to me, ‘Mum, I would have been so pissed off if I hadn’t spent time with Noel. I think I would like to read for pleasure’.” Megan says Tyler still has a way to go to catch up with his peers, “but just the fact that he wants to read is amazing. Noel enabled Tyler to understand why the system had failed him – and how it could have worked better for Tyler with timely interventions,” says Megan. “The system must change to stop the anguish that Tyler and so many like him go through. “Noel gave Tyler the key that has opened the door to the rest of his life.”

The Anyone Can Read programme works when all others have not - and it’s fast! Your kid can learn to read. They learned to walk, they learned to talk, to play sport, every day they show they can learn. Every time a student/dyslexic learns to read they show it was a teaching issue not a learning one. Noel McArthur is a former school principal with 20 years’ experience in education. Specialising in the mechanics of reading he has developed a programme that has proven effective in resolving dyslexics’ reading issues. Fundamental to the programme is that it charges on a results basis — pay for progress not platitudes. Anyone Can Read offers a range of programmes including individual tuition, primary, secondary and tertiary, early reader parent support, teacher training and school development. Learn more - www.anyonecanread.co.nz Contact - info@anyonecanread.co.nz or phone Noel on 027 249 5872

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Fashion turns back time B Y S O N YA L E U S I N K S L A D E N

nce upon a time, fashion was a much more narrowly defined phenomenon. What was ‘in’ was clear, in many ways easier to navigate, although stifling for some. Options were fewer, and social-cultural acceptance of difference was smaller, from big hair and mini dresses of the 1960s to shoulderpadded ‘secretary’ frocks and blazers of the 1980s. And while it is true that we all do mould to certain trends within our peer groups, there is much greater diversity. Almost anything goes, and just about every fashion era is represented.

Post-war period Post World War II fashion has made its mark on contemporary fashion for many decades in ways many might not be aware. The resurgence of button-through dresses, although also a nod to the 1990s, has its origins in this period, as do boxy square shoulders in shirts and blazers, utilitarian pocket details and midi-length pencil skirts. And you won’t need to shop far off the beaten track to find neat, fitted buttonthrough cardigans of the 1950s making a comeback, or pleated midi-length full skirts in bold prints. What many of us love about this era, namely its glamour and femininity, seems never too far away from designers’ minds.

The retro 1960s/1970s This month’s fashion shoot was inspired by this period, and it wasn’t difficult to cobble together a variety of looks that fit well with it. Classic woven fabrics in neutral colours such as tartan, houndstooth and plaid in combination with bright pops of coloured knitwear, and iconic accessories like brooches and neck scarves, are all references to the retro-mod period of the 1960s. We can also thank this era for corduroy and ribbed fitted knitwear, two current trends making a comeback this season. Regarding the more bohemian side of fashion in the 1970s, one of the biggest current trends with strong retrospect are high-necked maxi dresses, semi-sheer and with billowing sleeves and plenty of ruffles and flounces. 54

And if you’re watching the catwalks of the most recent international collections, you will know we are expecting more of the 80s to come our way. The 1980s Aspects of the 1980s have been filtering through to contemporary fashion for the last decade or so, from skinny jeans of the late 2000s to frill-necked dresses with puffy shoulders and layered skirts that we are seeing more of today. And if you’re watching the catwalks of the most recent international collections, you will know we are expecting more of the 80s to come our way. Exaggerated shoulders and doublebreasted blazers using bright and shiny fabrics are just a couple of examples of what we can anticipate.

The 1990s For many of us, the 1990s seem just a bit too recent for a comeback! But it is a period of influence that really is shaping

contemporary style, especially with our teenagers and young people. Spaghettistrapped dresses cut on the bias, shirts buttoned to the neckline, lace-up Doc Marten shoes with white socks, and black turtle-neck tops reminiscent of the television character ‘Rachel’ (Jennifer Anniston) from Friends, are all trending now. Choker-style necklaces and rockband tee-shirts with tartan skirts remind me of the grunge period we enjoyed in the 1990s. And of course oversized shirts tucked into pleat-front trousers! They were most flattering on the tall and thin then, as they still are today. Can we expect trends of the early 2000s to begin a comeback? You bet, and they are! Cowboy boots and cargo pants are already here …

Own the Moment

Surprise Mum

on May 12

Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Giveaway Spend $40 or more in any Morrison Square eatery or store between 1 - 10 May and bring your receipt into the Centre Management Office* to redeem your free piece of jewellery, valued at $29. *Centre Management Office open weekdays only between 8.30am - 3.30pm. Offer limited to the first 50 customers, one piece of jewellery per customer. Morrison Square gift vouchers are available at Centre Management and Merric Clothing (by the Morrison Square Clock Tower).

249 Queen St. Richmond

03 544 7737

sales@staceyclothing.co.nz StaceyClothing

staceyclothing staceyclothing.co.nz

NEW SEASON

CHARMAINE REVELEY

SHOP, DINE, ENJOY SHOPPING & DINING PRECINCT

Surprise

www.morrisonsquare.co.nz SHOP, DINE, ENJOY SHOPPING & DINING PRECINCT

www.morrisonsquare.co.nz

Surprise

SHOPPING & DINING PRECINCT

www.morrisonsquare.co.nz

SHOP, DINE, ENJOY

Surprise

MY HOME

A magical Maitai transformation

The setting was the drawcard for a Nelson couple to buy and renovate, explains Brenda Webb.

PHOTOGRAPHY DOMINIQUE WHITE

nyone who has walked the banks of Nelson’s Maitai River will have been wowed by its tranquillity and captivated by the views. It became a favoured dog walking route for Cathy McBride and Martin Byrne; so much so that when a house there came up for auction they bought it – warts and all. “We basically moved from our beautiful 105-year-old villa to a 1970s time capsule – a concrete block house complete with brown glass and bronze aluminium joinery,” says Cathy. “But ask anyone who knows the area and they will know ‘that house’ because it’s just the best location ever and I had lusted after it for many years.” It was during one of their dog walks that Cathy and Martin noticed an auction sign in front of the house. They went along to the auction and the house became theirs, complete with its distinct 1970s décor including brown carpet and orange benchtops. Undeterred the couple lived there for a year before embarking on any 1. Timber, gleaming stainless steel and funky cabinetry in the kitchen 2. Welcoming chairs invite guests to enjoy the deck area 3. Bright colours are a feature of the renovation 4. A statement lightshade over the stairwell 5 An unusual mortar and pestle 6. Open-plan shelving provides space for collectibles 7. Neutral walls allow art and furnishings to shine 8. Colour pops on doors provide interest 57

“It’s technically a renovation but in fact there is very little of the original house left.” C AT H Y M C B R I D E

renovation and while they thought they would find everything wrong, they were pleasantly surprised. “There was a lot right – the layout was good and the house was actually very innovative for its time, particularly with its orientation towards the sun and maximising the views.”

A holiday feel

They began looking at renovation ideas and Cathy, who does a bit of design work, started to draw plans which they took to architectural designer Tony Karsten to tweak. “Our brief was that we wanted the house to have the feel of a holiday home – the view was so peaceful and scenic and we wanted to retain that … as if we were on holiday. It’s technically a renovation but in fact there is very little of the original house left. The old bones are well and truly buried – it casts the same shadow, that’s about it.”

9. The outdoor pool is perfect for Nelson’s long, hot summers 10. Polished concrete floors add sophistication 11. Enticing seating around the pool 58

Proud to be chosen to transform this home

Phone us on 027 246 0870

www.jasongardinerbuilders.co.nz

Specialists in plywood kitchens & furniture

Proud to have installed the pool in the Maitai renovation www.splashtimepools.co.nz 18 Echodale Place, Stoke - Ph: 03 547 3411

makefurniture.co.nz 03 545 0748

Restricted by rules and regulations because of the house’s proximity to the river, the original footprint had to remain. The look and feel is very much Tony Karsten which suited the homeowners perfectly as they love his style particularly the aesthetic appeal, the clean lines and the use of concrete and steel. Builder Jason Gardiner was recommended by two independent parties and Cathy and Martin found him and his team enthusiastic to work with. “The guys were amazing and I missed them when it was all finished. It was an enjoyable process and we enjoyed seeing everything happening.” Cathy says the three bedroom, two bathroom and two lounge home is very easy to live in being modern, simple, easy going and warm. Those bronze aluminium windows were all replaced with double glazed windows and, with most walls being removed, extra insulation was added. A new kitchen featuring a large stainlesssteel bench was installed along with new bathrooms, new interiors and new furnishings. “It really is like a new house and we are thrilled with it,” says Cathy.

12. Texture and colour in the bedroom furnishings 13. Dark grey sofas complement the light grey carpet 14. A timber vanity adds warmth in the bathroom 15. Brightly coloured Roman blinds in the bedroom 16. Light tiles and a glass partition modernise the bathroom 17. Throws and cushions add drama, texture and colour 60

SU WE’LL WARM

YOUR WINTER

12 John Wesley Lane, Richmond (off Queen St, behind Avanti Plus)

Phone: 03 544 1515

www.moxini.co.nz

Higher expectations Genuine connections Exceptional reputation Nina James

7 Shakespeare Walk The location is pure tranquillity, across the road from the treelined river bank, serenely sited beside the Maitai river with elevated views over the city, it’s all but brand new – and with a swimming pool to make city living even more attractive. It’s rare to find a town home like this! Proud to be marketing this stunning property in one of Nelson’s sought-after locations.

Nina James Residential Specialist, Bayleys Nelson

No. 1 Bayleys Nelson Residential Salesperson 2016/2017/2018 M 021 293 7725 | B 03 546 3575 nina.james@bayleys.co.nz VINING REALTY GROUP LTD, BAYLEYS.LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008.

MY GARDEN

Fire resistant & retardant plants BY ANNABEL SCHULER

ne thing our Australian neighbours have over us is experience and good practice when it comes to planting fire-retardant natural barriers around their properties, especially rural ones. That could change in the next few years as New Zealanders realise rural fires may become a regular summer threat. A major fire near Nelson in February drove that home and at least one resident in the fire zone credits flax planted along a boundary for helping hold the fire away from his house. Dr Tim Curran, a senior lecturer in ecology at Lincoln University, is leading a study into plant flammability and says flax, like many plants, is categorised as

low burning but only if the plant is well maintained. Dry debris which falls from flax called ‘litter’ will catch fire quickly and easily. Dr Curran’s message is if you are concerned about fire ‘manage your yard well’ and remove flammable dead or dried-out plant material immediately. The upcoming planting season is a good time to think about smart plant choices to create a green barrier around your home to slow down or halt a fire. You could also take out any ‘fire-friendly’ trees and shrubs and replace them.

Test your plants A good place to start is by testing your current boundary plants: Break a green branch or stem off a tree or shrub and try to burn it. If it burns readily you know it is likely to fuel, not slow, a fire. This test should suggest that griselinia, coprosma, five finger, lancewood and lemonwood are good semi-retardant choices for shelter belts and plantings on the periphery of a property, but you should stay well away from eucalyptus, pines, gorse, kanuka and manuka. Several of these are high in oil and burn hard and hot.

Aloes, agaves, aeoniums, elephant’s food (Portulacaria afra) and jade plants have all survived American bush fires and even slowed them down. 62

Above: Big blue agave plants nesting on the edge of a property

Succulents with a high-water content are being used in high fire risk areas of the United States. Aloes, agaves, aeoniums, elephant’s food (Portulacaria afra) and jade plants have all survived American bush fires and even slowed them down. When you are looking for trees and shrubs which refuse to burn easily bear in mind that you also want them to trap, but not fuel, cinders and sparks which might otherwise jump up and over smaller plants and onto a dry lawn. These can then track towards a house like a highly efficient fuse, so height becomes important to form a natural ‘net’. Other more flammable plants to avoid include: rimu, silver beech, prickly hakea, titoki, the cabbage tree and the bottlebrush. Amongst the least flammable are: kotukutuku which is a native fuchsia, Lombardy poplar, flax, kowhai and supplejack. If your property adjoins or is near a pine or gum plantation you need to be extra vigilant and it is worth asking the advice of an experienced landscaper, plus there are several good websites to consult. But remember most vegetation will burn if it gets hot enough, and a fire nearby can dry out a good, moist, plant and render it useless – it is not an exact science.

master planning commercial residential

olivia@obdesign.co.nz 027 464 6694

www.obdesign.co.nz

environmental management plans

M Y H E A LT H

Heart Rate Variability – from elite fitness to everyday health BY CINDY DE VILLIERS, GP

lite fitness has contributed significantly to our understanding of the human body and of health in general. What better way to study how the human body reacts when under pressure than to measure the outputs made by a body at the edge of its capacity. Once such measure is Heart Rate Variability (HRV). HRV is a measure of the variation in the time between each heartbeat. For example, if your heart rate is 60 beats/ minute, this does not mean that your heart beats every second on the dot; literally there may be three quarters of a second between two beats and then there may be one and a half seconds between the next two beats. HRV can now be measured reasonably accurately using a smartphone and is a measure of cardio-vascular fitness and general heart health. Both the sympathetic ‘fight or flight’ and the parasympathetic ‘rest and digest’ arms of the nervous system affect the heart. Ideally these two systems are usually in balance, with one or the other becoming dominant when required eg to support digestion (parasympathetic) or to perform under pressure (sympathetic). When the parasympathetic system

is dominant the HRV increases ie there is more variation in the beat-to-beat time. When the sympathetic system is dominant there is less variation and your heart beats more like a metronome. HRV is used in sports training to assess fitness and the effects of a training regime. For ‘Joe Average’, HRV gives a peek into overall health and heart health. If the sympathetic system is constantly dominant, this will decrease the HRV and increase the risk of the disease. Low HRV is also associated with poor mental health, inflammation and diabetes. Of interest to the average person then is how heart rate variability is influenced especially by thoughts and emotions. A broken heart is not just the stuff of teenage angst and in fact has a medical name: takotsubo cardiomyopathy. This is when a heart attack occurs, not due to blockage of blood vessels, but due to intense stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system often due to an emotional event. Your grandmother was right; distress can cause a heart attack. So, how can you increase your HRV? Keeping hydrated, avoiding alcohol

Good news: Laughing and social engagement are good for all aspects of your heart, physical and emotional. Getout there and party!

and sleeping well all improve HRV as do interventions such as acupuncture, yoga, diet and exercise. Additionally, the importance of positive emotion cannot be overstated.

Emotional resilience begets physical resilience Looking after your emotional health may be more important than looking after your physical health. Techniques such as meditation and neuro-linguistic programming may be healing to your heart and body. Regular breathing exercises such as paced breathing (six breaths per minute), Dr Weil’s 4-7breathing exercise or alternate nostril breathing can lower HRV. Good news: Laughing and social engagement are good for all aspects of your heart, physical and emotional. Get out there and party! With reference to HRV, biofeedback exercises have been shown to improve health outcomes from blood pressure to memory. For a relatively small sum, you can buy your own biofeedback device and practise loving your heart – it will love you back! Stick around for the next instalment in two months’ time for more on supporting the vagus nerve, critical in the parasympathetic nervous system.

What if there is more? Exploring health and optimisation

Find out at www.healthfunction.co.nz

DINE OUT

COD & LOBSTER BRASSERIE

CHOKDEE

CBD CAFÉ

it in our sunny courtyard and enjoy the best seafood from around New Zealand. Meticulously mixed cocktails and fresh regional fare — including beef, lamb and venison. Our attention to detail will make your visit to Cod & Lobster unforgettable. Open for brunch, lunch dinner and tapas.

xperience the exquisite and delicious flavours of Thailand. Our food is prepared from scratch, the traditional way, using only the freshest ingredients. We have something for everyone as we cater for a vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free diet, along with your choice of heat. Takeaways available online at chokdee.co.nz

300 Trafalgar Street, Nelson 03 546 4300 www.codandlobster.com

109 High Street, Motueka - 03 528 0318 83 Hardy Street, Nelson - 03 539 0282 www.chokdee.co.nz

The Forum, Queen Street, Blenheim 03 577 7300 www.cbdcafe.nz

FORD’S

KAI FUSIONZ

THE WOODEN SPOON

276 Trafalgar St, Nelson 03 546 9400 www.fordsnelson.co.nz

41 Halifax Street, Nelson 03 546 8118 info@kaifusionz.com www.kaifusionz.com

251 Queen St, Richmond 03 544 4314 facebook.com/TheWoodenSpoonCafe

e offer relaxed and tasteful dining in the heart of Nelson city. Come and enjoy the fresh autumn menu, created by our team of great chefs. Sit outside at our shady tables and soak up the atmosphere. Our breakfast, lunch and dinner menus have been lovingly crafted using fresh and locally sourced produce. Contemporary New Zealand cuisine at its best. Don’t forget to book early for Mother’s Day.

ndigenous catering Te Tau Ihu and Aotearoa. Kai Fusionz Catering offers a unique balance of gourmet catering for all occasions. The very best local artisan products, exquisite game and seafood combined with our indigenous flair will get your taste buds critiquing. Kai Fusionz Catering - stepping outside the square.

ituated in the heart of Blenheim, we are open every day for breakfast and lunch. We have a delicious range of chef-inspired cabinet food, breakfast and lunch menus. Homemade pies, sweet treats and salads. Delicious coffee. Recent winners of the Best Café 2018 - Marlborough.

he Wooden Spoon heeded the call to provide a new choice for dinner. They did this by opening for casual evening dining four nights a week. Small batches made often has always been the the way of the Spoon, ensuring a fresh and satisfying experience. “Is it acceptable to lick your plate in public?”

MY KITCHEN

Roasted mushrooms with coriander pesto & feta Mushrooms are low in calories and fat and are cholesterol-free. They also contain fibre, and over a dozen minerals and vitamins such as copper, potassium, magnesium, zinc and several B vitamins, so tuck in and enjoy. BY MADAME LUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S KITCHEN

Coriander and cashew pesto Ingredients 1/4 cup olive oil 1 cup roasted cashews 1 cup coriander leaves, picked Salt and pepper to taste Juice of two lemons Stuffed Mushrooms Ingredients 12 portobello mushrooms, large Coriander pesto (see additional recipe) Feta, cubed into 1cm pieces Âź cup tamarind or other spicy chutney Method

1. Preheat oven to 180c. 2. Add all pesto ingredients to a food processor

and blend until well incorporated but still with a slightly chunky texture. Any leftovers keep well in the fridge for a week.

3. To assemble the mushrooms, remove the

stalks and place on a lined baking tray. Dollop a large spoon of coriander pesto onto each mushroom. Add a teaspoon of tamarind chutney and top with a cube of feta.

4. Place in oven and cook for 20 minutes

until feta is golden and the mushrooms are cooked through. madamelus.co.nz

DINE OUT

Exciting dining at Arden BY HUGO SAMPSON

Photo: Dominique White

ou just know when a dining address is going to be good. And Arden disappointed not one bit. With its enticing heritage shop-front window dining space, clean, modernist lines and stylish rear courtyard, Arden’s appeal is standout, yet subtle. It’s a bar and kitchen, so whether you want an expertly constructed cocktail and nibble before or after a show, or a more leisurely grazing experience, this recent addition to our growing Nelson dining scene is a ‘not-to-be-missed’ experience. Locals Lisa Penketh and Logan Ursell have married their extensive international hospitality talents, along with chef Charlie Boyle, to create a small-but-perfectlyformed list of edible treats, including some of the best house-made sourdough bread I’ve ever eaten. Crusty, chewy, bread heaven. The cocktail list is fun and interesting; the wine list (wine lovers rejoice) – both local and international – changes often so there’s no chance for boredom, and demonstrates a passion for satisfaction and the fabulous, outside the norm. Naturally the wines have been carefully chosen to complement the sharing plates menu with care and thoughtfulness. It’s hard to hold back when you read through the menu. It’s a simple yet sophisticated list of deliciousness; from punchy bite-sized white anchovy en croute with smoked pepper, to plump and luscious grilled prawns with harissa, or the gorgeously grilled courgettes, softly whipped goat’s cheese, toasted pine nuts and blueberries.

… this recent addition to our growing Nelson dining scene is a ‘not-to-be-missed’ experience. Scrumptious cuisine Sharing plate serves are on the generous side, which is definitely a wise move, and having enjoyed two meals here recently, I have yet to find a dish I couldn’t eat all over again. Lovely too, to see some classics like chicken liver pâté, potato tortilla with aioli, and a damn fine charcuterie board that would keep any Frenchman happy. They are all executed beautifully with obvious skill. If you are a cheese lover, head for the hedonistic cheese section, excellent to a T. And the sweet things? Well, it’s a small choice but nothing will displease. We shared five scrumptious savoury plates on our second visit. Somewhat piggy I know but we just couldn’t resist. So a little baby profiterole filled with passion fruit custard was a perfect sweet finish without taxing our already expanded waistlines. We drank a perfectly matched, gorgeously unctuous, 2016 French rosé

from Domaine Gayda in Limoux, and an equally stunning 2017 Spanish moscatel ‘vin seco’. Even the non-alcoholic choices on the drinks list, like salted grapefruit soda, were temptingly funky. Arden is a fabulous stop for lovers of good food, good wine and fine things. Goodness knows what wonderful morsels they will be cooking up over the cooler months but I’m definitely looking forward to finding out. Do not go past the door without stopping in for some deliciousness!

Arden Bar & Kitchen 216 Hardy St Nelson. Ph 03 539 0394. Opening hours vary, visit www.arden.nz. Cost: $110.00 for two – five sharing plates, two profiteroles and three glasses of wine.

Prego & Comida - two of Nelson’s finest ingredients in one location. Buxton Square, Nelson

Wine & cheese from Nelson & the world

Prego banner –

French Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône, spot Spanish Rioja, Neudorf Tom’slocked Block Pinot Noir.

French Camembert & Brie, Swiss Gruyère, Tartare, Nelson Mozzarella, Dutch Gouda, Cyprus Haloumi.

Nelson's Mediterranean Pantry In the giant seal & squid building, Buxton Square, Nelson

WINE

Weaving the gifts of the land into wine B Y LY N D A PA P E S C H

fter gaining accolades in export markets all over the world, Kono brought its namesake wine back to Aotearoa last year. “Kono Wine has been long been enjoyed overseas and lauded by international wine writers. We thought the time was right to make our Kono sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, rosé and pinot gris available here in Aotearoa. We know that Kono wines are fantastic matched with food and enjoyed with friends, which is why they are available on-premise at great restaurants, cafés and bars like Urban Eatery in Nelson, and Jellyfish in Mapua,” Rachel Taulelei, Kono CEO says. Recent international successes for the 2018 vintage Kono sauvignon blanc include 90 out of a possible 100 points in the 2019 US Wine Spectator Competition, a gold Above: Kono’s Marlborough vineyards 68

medal in the Sakura Japan Women’s Wine Awards 2019, a silver medal in the 2018 San Francisco International Wine Competition, voted in the Wine Spectator Top 14 Best Value Sauvignons Blanc, and a silver medal at the 2019 Mundus Vini Wine Competition. “It’s great that New Zealanders now have the opportunity to enjoy these internationally successful wines with their whānau and friends. And it’s also another opportunity for us to tell the story of Kono, and our love for the land and respect for the sea,” Rachel says. “Kono is an associated business of Wakatū Incorporation. Kono is an indigenous food and drinks producer with a global focus. In 2017 we launched our new ‘K’ icon for Kono and it gave us the opportunity to reinforce what is important to us as a company, including our values of manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga. These values encompass hospitality, generosity, kindness and taking care of both people and the land,” Rachel says. “The name Kono relates to a basket woven out of harakeke (New Zealand flax) and which was traditionally used by Māori to serve food in. Our icon speaks of who we are, our rich legacy steeped in a culture that nourishes our land and people in sustainable ways. We’re really proud to have it front and centre on our Kono wines.” With vineyards situated in the Upper Awatere Valley, Marlborough and Upper

Moutere, Nelson, Kono wines are a true expression of the region’s stunning terroir. Chief winemaker Bruce Taylor believes a wine should encapsulate a place and time. As a wine is different from year to year and place to place, it is important to fully express those differences – creating authentic wines that are vibrant and crisp. To try:

2018 Kono Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc A brilliant pale green in the glass, this pure and bright Marlborough sauvignon blanc has a vibrant fruit driven nose bursting with citrus and passionfruit. On the palate luscious flavours of ripe tropical fruits and lifted herbaceous notes are finely balanced with zesty acidity, an underlying minerality and just a hint of residual sweetness. Juicy, crisp and fresh this wine leads to a long and dry, persistent finish.

2018 Kono Nelson Rosé A delicate salmon pink in the glass, this pinot rosé displays aromas of strawberries, lemon and light florals leading to a palate of bright cherry, summer berry fruit and delicate green melon. Bright fruit flavours are balanced with zesty acidity and a touch of soft phenolics, leading to a lusciously fresh and dry finish.

BREWS

Cranking up again

required to sate beer lovers during the twoweek relocation, including plumbing in the brewery equipment.

Gearing up with cans

BY MARK PREECE

he Top of the South’s hot summer may be perfect for beer-drinking, but the big dry forced the region to close its bike trails. “The closed tracks have hurt numbers through the brewery a bit compared with previous years,” says Mic Heynekamp, owner of Nelson’s Eddyline Brewery. “However, now the rain has come we are starting to see the bikes back.” Despite a tough summer, demand for Eddyline’s beer is up – so much that they are expanding their brewery into the old Pic’s peanut butter factory in Stoke. “We secured the lease last winter, and have moved the brewery through during April this year,” says Mic. Eddyline has literally been ‘making beer while the sun shone’, producing the extra

Eddyline produces beer in kegs and PET bottles, “for local bars and cafés, as well as a small distribution in Top of the South retail outlets”. The new premises will allow for a significant expansion, with plans to tackle the North Island. It will also boast a state-ofthe-art, Colorado-made rotary canning line, “one of only three in New Zealand,” says Mic. He knows all the advantages of using cans: “They are cheaper to produce and transport than glass, 100 percent recyclable and protect their precious cargo from sun damage.” The perfect complement to a larger distribution area. The new cannery has been designed for sealing 440ml and 500ml cans. Eddyline produces CrankYanker, Trail Carver Pale Ale and Citra IPA in 440ml cans, “with the 500ml format for our special brews”.

The advantages of using cans: “They are cheaper to produce and transport than glass, 100 percent recyclable and protect their precious cargo from sun damage.” M I C H EY N E K A M P

Some of Eddyline’s most popular brews:

Trail Carver, 5% ABV. They say: ‘Features an exciting blend of classic NZ Wakatu hops with one of the newest US hops, Idaho 7, giving it a crisp citrus-hop aroma balanced by a rich maltiness.’

Pozzy Pale Ale, 4.9% ABV. They say: ‘A distinctive silver medalwinning pale ale with unique flavour and aroma from New Zealand Motueka and Riwaka hops.’

Summer in the Citra, 6.2% ABV. They say: ‘We love the juicy hop aromas of the New England-style IPAs, but feel ‘hazy is lazy’. This slightly hazy IPA is bursting with Citra, Mosaic and Simcoe hop aroma, with a subdued bitterness and incredible drinkability.’

CrankYanker IPA, 6.3% ABV. They say: ‘Our signature IPA, born and brewed originally in Colorado but brought over to the shores of New Zealand. A rich, bold and balanced IPA that, like a great classic ride, has a bit of everything. This West-Coast American IPA features a halfdozen malts and four great US hops. Big and bold, but not overpowering – leaves you coming back for more. 69

T R AV E L

An Iranian & a Kiwi bite into a chilli ... BY CRAIG SISTERSON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HELEN GRIBBLE

“A

good cook tries all the ingredients, right?” I looked across at Hamed, a professional chef from Iran who today, like me, was a student. Strangers from half a world apart, we’d found ourselves side-by-side in a teak-walled oasis against the bustle of Bangkok, a bowl of tiny red chillies between us. We came from different backgrounds and had only just met, but it quickly became apparent that Hamed and I shared a love of food, a desire to learn more about Thai cuisine, and a ‘devil-may-care’ attitude when it came to experiencing our world. Or perhaps, as it turned out, we shared an idiotic machismo. Moments after we each bit into a raw chilli, eyes watered all across our classroom at the Blue Elephant Cooking School. Hamed and I clamoured for something cooling, soothing. Our fellow travellers stifled laughter. Tears for everybody, laughter or pain. Fortunately, one of the instructors took pity on us, fetching cold desserts to alleviate our fire-filled mouths. She also tried not to laugh, too much. I’ve been a big fan of Thai cuisine for many years, from dining out with friends at the likes of Chokdee, Poppy Thai, Tongtara and the Golden Bell whenever I’m back in the Nelson region, to whipping up a home-cooked kumara green curry for vegetarian housemates. I love the vibrant, fresh flavours and the layered balance of sweet, salty, sour and spicy that goes into a well-made Thai dish. It is that vitality, freshness and flavour balance that is stressed at the Blue Elephant Cooking School, which is housed in a renovated colonial mansion now under siege from modern high-rises in the Sathon khet (district) of central Bangkok.

Catering for a wide range The school caters for curious travellers and professional chefs alike. Half-day sessions where you learn how to cook four dishes are available every morning and most afternoons (the menu changing each session), as well as longer courses for those who want to dive deeper. An hour or so before Hamed and I committed arson on our tonsils, our class exited the century-old house that housed the school and hopped aboard the Skytrain to nearby Bang Rak market (an added bonus of taking a morning class). The marketplace was a sensory assault of people and produce.

We wove our way through a maze of stalls selling everything from recently butchered meats to freshly gutted seafood and a diverse array of herbs and spices. 70

There were exotic-to-us fruits like the spiky durian, which looks more like something to be rammed atop a stick and used in medieval battle rather than a food item and has a stench more off-putting than its spikes. We also sampled purple-skinned pitaya or ‘dragonfruit’, pomelos – which look like gigantic pears but taste like grapefruit, longan and more. We wove our way through a maze of stalls selling everything from recently butchered meats to freshly gutted seafood and a diverse array of herbs and spices. Before we headed back for class, our guide made sure we stopped for some Thai iced tea. Very sweet, very sticky, like spiced chai-flavoured condensed milk, it was sucked from a plastic bag with a straw. I could have used a gallon of that later, post chilli chewing. After returning from the market, our teaching continued in a classroom with a demonstration kitchen at the front, complete with angled ceiling mirror so we could all clearly see everything the chef instructors did. Handed a booklet with pictures of ‘basic Thai ingredients’ (32 herbs, spices and flavourings) and several recipes, we were told a bit about Thai cuisine before the chefs took us step-by-step through the first dish we’d cook: Tod man plaa grai (Thai fish cakes). I found myself writing little notes on recipe margins as the advice flowed. I’d dabbled with Thai cookery at home, but this was the real deal, full of helpful suggestions about ingredients and techniques. For fish cakes, one tip is that after melding minced white fish with egg yolks and a diverse array of spices, sauces

Photo: Craig Sisterson

and pastes, you pick up the sticky mixture and slam it down into a bowl again and again. Apparently it’s ready when you can turn the bowl upside down above your head, and it doesn’t fall out.

Hands-on After seeing the pros in action, it was our turn, so we moved through to a larger kitchen area where each of us had our own space with a hot plate and wok and all the raw ingredients laid out ready for us, just like in some TV cooking shows. Instructors wandered around and provided advice as we tried to recreate the dish, grinding coriander root, garlic and white pepper into a paste with mortar and pestle, mixing in red curry paste, fish sauce, sugar and egg yolk, then adding minced fish, and finally sliced long beans and kaffir lime leaves. The combination of classroom instruction then hands-on learning created a cool atmosphere, and there was plenty of laughing and fun throughout. After we’d each finished our own Tod man plaa grai, the staff took and numbered our efforts – thankfully not for any sort of judging process – because at the end we’d all share a feast, sampling our own dishes. Over the next couple of hours, we worked our way through the next three dishes: Tom yam goong (Spicy and sour prawn soup),

Above: Clockwise - All the ingredients we need to make a traditional phad Thai; Whisking up a quick phad Thai; The author’s effort at making a traditional phad Thai Opposite page: Iranian chef Hamed and Craig prepare to taste-test Thai chillies

The combination of classroom instruction then hands-on learning created a cool atmosphere, and there was plenty of laughing and fun throughout. Kaeng keaw waan kai (Green curry with chicken), and Phad Thai (Stir-fried Thai rice noodle). Each time, we had a classroom demo, with instructors giving plenty of advice and patiently answering our questions, before having a go ourselves. Different royal Thai dishes are highlighted on different days of the week at Blue Elephant Cooking School, for those like Hamed who are taking more than one class. By morning’s end, I’d had a lot of fun and learned plenty about Thai ingredients, techniques and tips, with the chefs even suggesting replacements we could more easily find back home for ingredients like galangal and pea aubergine and telling us how to use ground cumin and coriander seeds to enhance the flavour of store-bought curry pastes. Fortunately, my mouth had cooled enough to enjoy our feast. Oh, and one secret to a great Thai curry? Slowly add the coconut milk, allowing the ‘oil’ to bubble through each time before adding more. 71

ADVENTURE

Walk on the wild side Sarah Nottage goes remote – very remote – on the Kahurangi Coast and finds true freedom. PHOTOGRAPHY STEVE HUSSEY

oing something unfamiliar or visiting a place for the first time can cause you to stop thinking clearly – especially when there are people watching. Your brain puts on its blinkers and bolts straight to the finish line, even though there may have been several racetracks to choose from. Cue a potentially embarrassing situation. The venue for our most recent awkward experience was the start of the Kahurangi Point Route in Golden Bay, where my partner Steve and I had gone for a two-night hike. From Pakawau (14km past Collingwood) we had driven 38km through a windswept yet lush, wild yet welcoming karst landscape, eventually reaching road-end in a paddock at the Turimawiwi River mouth. With the distinct feeling that the group of riverside picnickers were eager to witness our departure (for reasons that would soon become clear) and a strong belief that by thinking graceful, nimble thoughts we would embody the gazelle cantering smoothly over the savannah, we commenced our first (rather slippery) river crossing. “I bet you $5 one of them falls in.” “You’re on.” Okay, I don’t know that the picnickers were placing bets on us, but I do know it is human nature to covertly observe strangers performing unfamiliar or difficult tasks (backing

We had to consider the combination of weather, sea and tide conditions, and plan accordingly. 72

a trailer, for example). We feel a sense of smug glee when misfortune befalls them, as if it would never happen to us. This emotion is so common that the term ‘schadenfreude’ has been used in English texts since 1852. Borrowed from German, it is a compound of schaden (damage, harm) and freude (joy). Sure enough, Steve fell into the river wearing his large pack – although he described it as a ‘graceful lowering’. “Ten dollars says they decide to head towards the monstrous sand dunes instead of walking along that lovely flat beach.”

A route less travelled Eager to preserve a scrap of dignity and still aware of the appraising gaze of the onlookers, we set off towards the large, tussocky sand dunes (a logical decision, we thought, given this was to be a hike entirely along an ‘unmarked track’). After 20 minutes of slashing through chest-high tussock, the sight of a sheep skull caused me to glance up from the toil. To our right, over the brow of the sand dune, was an extremely flat, expansive, white-sand beach, which would take us all the way along the 8km Kahurangi Point route to the lighthouse (three hours one-way). This could have been accessed from where we parked the car. Despite setting off as if we were in a Mr Bean episode, our planning for this trip had been executed with military precision. We knew this was a dangerous coastal environment. We had to consider the combination of weather, sea and tide conditions, and plan accordingly. The Anaweka estuary mouth and Big River (45 minutes apart) need to be crossed close to low tide. Add one hour to the Nelson tide time and, ideally, plan the trip during spring tide, when there is the greatest difference between high and low water. Check the weather in advance – estuary levels are affected by heavy rain in the hills, meaning it is easy to be trapped at a river crossing. Take a tent and plenty of water. Alternatively, stay at the Kahurangi Keepers’ House for at least one night to allow time for contingencies and to explore this stunning, unique environment.

A collision of landforms What are usually disparate landscapes collide here. Above, you have steep farmland whose trees have been sculpted by the prevailing wind into flat-top hairstyles circa 1985, and below, pure-white limestone formations shaped by wind, ocean and sand over the centuries into smooth pixie-palaces. The Kahurangi Keepers’ House is not visible from the beach. If you reach the lighthouse you’ve gone too far. The lighthouse stands majestically on the northern end of the Karamea Bight – the north-western tip of the South Island. Walking along the beach towards it is like moving towards an oasis – the closer you get, the farther away it looks. Building the lighthouse in 1903 was a remarkable feat of engineering. It had to be carted to the site in sections and winched by tramway 50 metres up a cliff. Although automated in 1926, it was crewed until 1960. After Fiordland, the Kahurangi Coast is arguably the most remote stretch of the South Island. We did not see another human for two days. The only living creatures we encountered were the curmudgeonly oystercatchers with their beady eyes, sheep who preferred roaming the beach to their usual grassy habitat, and of course the sandflies.

Reverting to the wild In my everyday life, with distinct tendencies towards anxiety, triggered by a lack of self-belief and need for perfectionism, I channel abundant energy towards maintaining physical and emotional homeostasis. Lips slightly dry? Apply lip balm. Feeling

Above: Clockwise - The 25-bed Kahurangi Keepers’ House; Sarah and Steve brimming with confidence at the start of the route; The 116-year-old Kahurangi Lighthouse Opposite page: A limestone pixie-palace

With skin free, heart free and soul free, I metamorphised into a ‘wild’ woman. slightly dehydrated? The filtered answer lies within my brandnew designer stainless-steel drink bottle. Here, on the other hand, nature is unrelenting. When the wind is raging and the sun beating down, there is no mirror, no bathroom, no cell-phone reception and an hour of wading up an estuary to find drinking water. My need to achieve and maintain homeostasis vanished. As such, with skin free, heart free and soul free, I metamorphised into a ‘wild’ woman. It took Tom Hanks four years to achieve the ‘castaway’ state. It took me four hours. Wolf-like, with matted hair and a voracious appetite, I hunched protectively over my dehydrated potatoes and warm cheese slices, devouring them in seconds, licking the plastic bowl when I’d finished. As we are so spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful landscapes and adventure opportunities in the Nelson Tasman/Marlborough region, why bother driving the extra distance to the Kahurangi Point Route, when Wharariki Beach (12km from Pakawau) offers a similar vista? Simple – isolation. With isolation comes freedom. Freedom from the three Rs: Routine, Responsibility and Rubbish drivers. 73

MOTORING

Mitsubishi’s ‘brute’ ute A swag of safety features back up the Triton’s new tough exterior, Geoff Moffett reports.

he four-door ute is looking meaner, a seemingly macho appeal to draw punters on the new-car sales lot. Mitsubishi is the latest to come up with more of a brute ute, branding it ‘Beast mode’. You could see it as a response to Ford Ranger’s Raptor, a beast in name and function. Even Mitsubishi would admit the Triton’s appearance hasn’t stacked up well against rivals like Ranger, Hilux and Colorado. It needed to toughen its image to meet demand, and this facelifted model – the first in four years – certainly is a step up in looks and equipment. Put the old and new side by side and you can quickly see the difference. Round wheel arches are now squared off and the front of the truck is high and blunter; more upright with a grille and nose that have more chrome – more ‘in your face’. The Triton, it must be said, was always a softerlooking truck than its competitors but now it can stand a little taller – literally and otherwise. From the windscreen forward, it’s a whole new look. Sitting higher than before on 18-inch wheels, the top-spec VRX model with its optional brawny chromed nudge-bar and slightly menacing LED headlights (squinting under the bonnet like a mean

hombre’s eyes) is all about projecting the ‘beast mode’ character. The chrome sports-bar on the back helps with the rugged look.

Safety upgrade Other key improvements include a sixspeed automatic transmission, replacing the old ‘five’, although there’s no change to the four-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine. Safety improvements put the Triton at the top of the pack in its market segment. You now get a forward-collision warning as well as lane-wander warning, and in the VRX there’s a rear cross-traffic alert as well as blind-spot warning. The 360-degree camera gives you a bird’s-eye view of the surrounds, better front sensors help city parking and the close view of the tow ball makes trailer hook-up just about idiot-proof. Inside the cab, the differences are smaller. The top model gets perforated leather seats (heated in front) with electric adjust for the driver, and there’s keyless entry and start. On the driving side, a hill-descent control has been added and the VRX 4WD gives a selection of modes for gravel, sand and rock and mud/ snow. On the highway you can switch from 2WD to 4WD at speeds up to 100km/h and the VRX has big vertical paddle-shifters in

… the top-spec VRX model with its optional brawny chromed nudge-bar and slightly menacing LED headlights (squinting under the bonnet like a mean hombre’s eyes) is all about projecting the ‘beast mode’ character. 74

addition to the auto’s manual sports mode. Only the VRX gets an electronic diff lock to boost off-road capabilities. On the road, the Triton is as solid as ever, with plenty of power from its efficient turbo-diesel and a decently quiet cruise, aided by the new six-speed auto. It’s a truck-type ute though, and you’ll get the usual wiggle and jiggle over rougher surfaces, which will improve when there’s load in the back. The Mitsi is attractively priced for a very well-equipped ute with an excellent warranty plan. While the ‘beast’ imagery is only skin-deep, it should be enough for Triton to boost its forecast sales in New Zealand by up to 25 percent.

Tech spec Price:

Double cab, GLX 2WD auto $37,990; VRX 2WD auto $41,990; GLX-R auto $41,990; VRX 4WD auto $49,990. Also available in single cab.

Power:

2.4-litre inter-cooled diesel, 135 kW @ 3500 rpm, 437 Nm @ 2500 rpm.

Fuel:

From 7.7l/100km to 8.6l/100km combined-cycle.

Vehicle courtesy of Houston Motor Group

SPORTS

Racing to the pinnacle Motueka-based adventure racing team Go Penati hopes to head to the world championships in Sri Lanka later this year, following a successful last nine months. Phil Barnes reports.

Huge commitment Adventure racing involves teams, generally of four people and of mixed gender, tackling stages that vary from several hours to several days. Long training is essential. Brent says the team was away for an average of two weeks for each of their overseas trips, in addition to the 10 days Above: From left - Shannon Trimble, Brent Steinmetz and Theo Wordsworth on a training exercise in Kahurangi National Park

Photo: Andrew MacDonald

ompeting overseas last year for the first time, the Go Penati team, formerly Team Motueka, finished fifth in the high-altitude Huairasinchi race in Ecuador, won the Norcha Adventure Race in Portugal and came 15th in the 100 Mountain Cross- Country event in China. In March Go Penati placed seventh in New Zealand’s primary adventure race, the GODZone. Captain Brent Steinmetz says the result was pleasing given that team member Theo Wordsworth suffered a broken arm shortly before the event. Someone of his ability was not easy to replace. The four-person team comprising Steinmetz, Shannon Trimble, Nick Hann and replacement Tom Spencer suffered niggling injuries early in the race that forced them to reassess their tactics, but “we finished strongly so we’ve got to be stoked with how we did,” Brent says. It took the team four days and 19 hours to complete the event, which involved kayaking, trekking, mountain biking, caving and rafting over about 600km in the Canterbury backcountry – all with a total of six hours’ sleep. “If you want to be successful, these races take it out of you and take you right to the extreme end of what your body is capable of,” says Brent.

“In the early days we used to train right through the night, but this takes so much out of you that you can’t train properly for the next week.” BRENT STEINMETZ, ADVENTU RE RACER

of GODZone, “so we’re fortunate to have understanding employers and families to allow us the time off.” Even when back home, team members spend between 10 and 30 hours a week training depending on whether they are at the strength-building, endurance or speed stage of their programmes. While much of this training is done individually, team members try to train together at least once a week. To simulate race conditions, they sometimes train at night. “In the early days we used to train right through the night, but this takes so much out of you that you can’t train properly for the next week. So over the years we have got wiser and we don’t often push right through the whole night.” Brent says time management is crucial in juggling training around work commitments and family time. “I often get up at 4.30am and train early in the

mornings so I can maximise the time I spend with the family.” The organisers of overseas events often supply kayaks and rafts, but competitors have to take nearly all other equipment, including mountain bikes, he says, so getting to major events becomes expensive. Sponsorship is essential. The team also holds presentations and organises fundraisers such as quiz nights and fun runs. Brent says the team was formed nearly five years ago to compete in the GODZone. He has been a constant figure in the line-up, but injuries, work and family commitments have forced replacements – 10 athletes have now represented the team over five GODZones. Nine athletes were needed for last year’s three overseas races. The team is considering more international races. “One target would be to take part in the world championships in Sri Lanka in December.” 75

ARTS

Putting Nelson Tasman on the global street art map … literally BY JOHN COHEN-DU FOUR

Above: Amanda Sears 76

Photo: Dominique White

hen Amanda Sears arrived in Nelson in 2013 she had no idea she’d end up championing the region’s street art scene. “Before I left Dunedin I worked running a video store,” she says, laughing at the memory. “A declining industry, so things were really quiet – it gave me lots of time to focus on my art.” Among her many creative activities, Amanda produces illustrative digitally coloured, anime-influenced images of women. “In 2014, I did a Diploma in Arts and Media at NMIT. Our class was given a project to create a photo book featuring some aspect of our own work.” Exploring the idea of illustration writ large, Amanda created a book depicting well-known Nelson locations, including the NCC clock tower and NMIT itself, photo-shopped to be emblazoned with her own hugely up-scaled artwork. Her search through the city for the project, and discovery of the many large painted works already in existence, was enough to cement Amanda’s love affair with street art. “The scale is what makes it so unique,” she says, ”and how cleverly adaptive street art is to whatever canvas is available.” Another key feature is its transient nature. “As I began photographing and cataloguing Nelson street art, I realised the works could be gone at any time. Some are no longer there. It makes appreciating them an active experience, we need to seek the images out and enjoy them while we can.” In 2014 Amanda self-published a limited fifty-edition photo book celebrating Nelson’s street murals. “It featured about 30 works,” she says,

“The scale is what makes it so unique, and how cleverly adaptive street art is to whatever canvas is available.” A M A N DA S E A R S

“which barely touched the surface. Just afterwards, there was a huge influx in the region’s street art activity.”

Expanding all the time Every time Amanda located a new artwork, she’d hear of another. “Motueka alone had six new murals underway,” she recalls. So Amanda put out a 2015 edition, including both Nelson and Tasman street art, with over 80 images. “As soon as you think you’ve made the definitive guide, it’s already out of date. Now in our region there are at least 140 murals.” Her books weren’t created for the money. Whatever funding Amanda received, including support from Nelson City Creative Communities, only covered printing costs. Research, travel, photography, design and layout, were all over to her. As she travelled further and discovered ever more work, it became clear to Amanda that online was the only way to go. “So I created a dedicated street art website, www.fortheloveofstreetart.nz, featuring all the street art I’ve catalogued in my travels and books to date,” she says.

“Embedded into the site is a handy interactive map loaded with locations, artworks and artists’ names, for the whole world to see and visiting tourists to explore.” Last year Amanda was approached by Tim Marschang from Street Art Cities’ Belgium office, and asked to be an official Street Art Hunter for their global project. Their specific goal is ‘connecting passionate street art hunters all over the world to document art in every city, [for the] world to know where to find these gems and the stories behind them’. With their free downloadable app, Street Art Cities currently list 19,000 works in 433 cities in 73 countries – including, thanks to Amanda, Nelson in New Zealand. “We’re also planning a ‘Summer of Street Art’ event,” she says. “It’s an exciting time, full of possibilities for artists – and local owners of blank walls!”

For further information visit: www.fortheloveofstreetart.nz and www.streetartcities.com

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BOOKS

But Who’s Counting?

Books to celebrate Mother’s Day

BY RENÉE LANG

COMPILED BY RENÉE LANG

ack in 2016 an idle thought quite quickly turned into a serious action plan for Nelsonian Renée Hollis when she resolved to interview and photograph a number of centenarians in order to share their stories in book form. The original plan was to talk to perhaps 20 individuals, but she certainly never anticipated she’d end up interviewing 120 of them. When asked about her motivation to research and record their stories Renée cites her concern that older people can too often become invisible in our communities, particularly those living in care facilities. “What if someone were to sit next to them, particularly those who appear to be more withdrawn, and ask them questions about their life?” She felt some of them could well be willing to share – and she was right.

Hudson & Halls Joanne Drayton Available now, $49.95 Otago University Press

finalist in the 2019 Ockham Book Awards, this tale of two gay television chefs back in the day when chicken cooked with canned apricots was considered haute cuisine is essential reading for anyone interested in New Zealand food history. Their mission to teach us to be more adventurous in the kitchen was not just educational but downright hilarious.

The Baker’s Companion

An amazing journey Another motivating factor for her interest in their stories was the dwindling number of World War II veterans. Once they’ve gone, their stories will have gone, too, and Renée quite understandably felt an obligation to record as many of them as possible. Interestingly, she found that after decades of silence on the subject, some of them had only just started to feel they could talk about their wartime experiences. This sometimes happened in the presence of family members but not always, which made such disclosures particularly poignant. “It’s been a really amazing journey for me,” says Renée. “I felt quite honoured – and privileged, really – to have been able to hear these stories. People have recited poetry and I’ve even been sung to.” The dignity of many of the individuals she spoke to has also left its mark on her. While Renée is living in Dunedin for the next year or so, she has every intention of returning to live in Nelson where she has strong family ties.

Allyson Gofton Available now, $55 Penguin Random House

ell known from her time on television and now with more than 20 cookbooks, Allyson Gofton is exactly the kind of presence you need in your kitchen when you feel the need to bake. Packed full of delicious and beautifully illustrated recipes, her new book also offers a treasure trove of useful information for common baking woes.

Smart Mothering Dr Natalie Flynn

Keepers of History: New Zealand Centenarians Tell Their Stories is published by Exisle Publishing and is available now.

“I felt quite honoured – and privileged, really – to have been able to hear these stories. People have recited poetry and I’ve even been sung to.” RENÉE HOLLIS

Available now, $39.99 Allen & Unwin

hese days there’s a bewildering array of information for new mothers to work through, but help is now at hand in this practical and accessible new book that separates facts from opinions. Written by a practising maternal psychologist and mother of three, Smart Mothering goes a long way towards helping mothers work out how best they can care for their baby.

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MUSIC

Celebrating NZ Music Month BY PETE RAINEY

hen I clicked on the NZ Music Month 2019 home page – it went straight to the 2018 NZ Music Month site. An omen for things to come? I hoped not. I tried the Facebook page – kind of more successful, but to be honest just a few weeks out – I thought there would be more effort getting this sort of stuff right. As the website says ... the purpose of NZ Music Month is to celebrate music from New Zealand, and the people who make it. It has been part of our ‘cultural landscape’ since 2000 and has gone from a period of encouraging radio to play more local tunes, to a 31-day celebration of homegrown talent across the length and breadth of the country. NZ Music Month is a promotion run by the NZ Music Commission in association with other organisations including NZ On Air, Recorded Music

New Zealand, APRA, The Music Managers Forum and Independent Music NZ. It’s quite clear that a lot of NZ artists get involved, judging by the list of gigs that the Facebook page promotes – and why not? Any excuse to promote your music is worthwhile.

minimum of 25 percent Australian content on their own locally curated streaming playlists” to match the quota of local music that has applied to Australian radio stations since 1942.

Vital initiatives The venue menu on the web page offered no help – it didn’t really seem to work – however, when it did eventually load it offered up a comprehensive list of venues nationwide with hot links to all their sites – handy. The question is asked perennially – do we really need NZ Music Month? If asked, I always answer yes. In this land of 30 minutes of dedicated sports coverage on our TV news every night, where more time is given over to Australian league games than will ever be directed at NZ music, any coverage and promotion of our own cultural taonga is to be celebrated. Similarly, the question often crops up if we need a quota of NZ Music on radio? The playing field has become somewhat uneven in this regard since the concerted effort to play more NZ music was launched in 2002, however there have been recent calls to introduce a quota on streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston told the ABC he was calling for “a

The question is asked perennially – do we really need NZ Music Month? If asked, I always answer yes. 80

Above: Nelson-born singer/songwriter collaboration Nikita Fountain and Mark McKenzie are Dust & Gold

Joining forces Since then, APRA AMCOS’s head of NZ operations, Anthony Healey, has been pushing for the introduction of similar measures on this side of the Tasman, proposing a quota – he prefers to call it a ‘benchmark’ – for all locally curated streaming playlists of not less than 20 percent of AU/NZ content. “The curation teams at both Spotify and Apple are hugely committed to great new music from this part of the world and NZ music in that context figures prominently,” he says. “Our view is that Australia and New Zealand are in the same boat and we can work together to get our music heard.” While it’s great that advocates for local content continue to go into bat (loving the sporting analogies) for our music, initiatives such as NZ Music Month still remain vitally important. On the local front, check out our very own duo ‘Dust & Gold’. Just in time for NZ Music Month, and having recently opened for UB40 at Trafalgar Park, Nelson-born singer/songwriter collaboration Nikita Fountain and Mark McKenzie are releasing their debut single Merry Go ‘Round on all digital platforms on the 1st of May.

FILM

Fascinating but not for the squeamish BY EDDIE ALLNUTT

The Chills: The Triumph & Tragedy of Martin Phillipps Documentary Directed by Julia Parnell Starring Martin Phillipps, Neil Finn, Caroline Easther, Craig Taylor, Roger Shepherd 1h 35mins Rated TBC

hether you’re a groupie or wouldn’t be able to name one heavenly pop hit, this doco about Martin Phillipps is a must. Phillipps formed The Chills in 1980, a band that captured the vibrant Dunedin sound scene with their music that wasn’t mainstream, but had commercial quality. Director Julia Parnell, co-director Rob Curry and the production team deserve accolades for their efforts in filming two recent years of Phillipps’ life while narrating some history of an iconic Kiwi group. Parnell and co have subtly captured this softly spoken musician, who’s in his 50s, open up about himself, sometimes with a trembling jaw and not able to find the words. This handcrafted work brings you so close to this experimental genius that you start to understand his psyche and what’s behind the jangle and layered lyrics, which rocked Dunedin and the country, and came tantalisingly close to worldwide success. It’s not just about Pink Frost, I Love My Leather Jacket and the turbulence of 21 different line-ups to date, but what underpins this doco is Phillipps’ health. Booze has caught up with his liver and basically, if he doesn’t curb his addiction, he’ll soon be dead. Parallel to this demon is his battle with hep C as he hopes to get cured by taking $1000-a-pop, funded, miracle pills. The brutal truth of how he contracted the disease isn’t for the squeamish. His reality check, along with the way he interacts with the natural environment, his love of the rugged Otago Peninsula, seem to rekindle his creative, as he gets stuck into new material for the latest album and creating an archive of the band’s legacy so it’s not lost forever if he does die soon. Anecdotes from Neil Finn, Flying Nun’s founder Roger Shepherd, members of other Dunedin bands such as Dr Graeme Downs from The Verlaines, alongside several former band members and managers, enrich the story. Caroline Easther, exdrummer, says, “Those songs were full-on. It was an assault on the body. I remember thinking, how am I going to survive more than three nights of this?” Phillipps confesses himself as “a strange sort of grown-up” and that has a semblance of truth about it, especially when you step inside his Dunners bungalow to see his collection of dust-gathering eclectic eccentricities plus paraphernalia of the band. A Muldoon moneybox, a creepy doll and his anti-fashion statement are just a few items you’ll get shown as you can’t help but scan the rooms for more. There’s also a spray-painted mummified moggie that ends up in an exhibition to make a point that Gareth Morgan would be proud of. Tracks from their debut album Brave Words (1987) to Snow Bound (2018) plus rare footage and hits you’ll remember that Karen Hay used to introduce just before the Sunday Horrors, feature prominently to add nostalgia and backbone to Martin Phillipps’ ‘complex piece of the plan’.

91 Trafalgar Street, Nelson - Ph: 548 3885

Movies Screening in MAY THE AFTERMATH

M | 2hrs Post-WWII drama based on the novel by Rhidian Brook, the story follows a British couple relocated to a Hamburg home during the reconstruction, only to end up confronted by the German who previously owned the house.

THE CHAPERONE

M | 2hrs 1920s-set drama based on Laura Moriarty’s bestseller. The life of a Kansas woman is forever changed when she chaperones a beautiful and talented 15-year-old dancer named Louise Brooks to New York for the summer.

THE CHILLS:...

Rating TBC | 1hr 45min Martin Phillipps came close to conquering the international musical world with his band The Chills. At 54, he’s been given a dire medical prognosis, forcing him to face his demons and realise his musical ambitions before it’s too late.

ROCKETMAN

Rating: TBC | Runtime: TBC Taron Egerton is Elton John in this epic musical fantasy about the uncensored human story recounting his years as a young prodigy through to his musical partnership with Bernie Taupin.

For more information, go to our website:

www.statecinemas.co.nz

EVENTS

Regular Markets

Nelson Tasman Friday 3 & Saturday 4

Every Saturday morning

Caroline Easther & The Cinnamon Girls

The Nelson Market 8am to 1pm

Singer/songwriter and exChills drummer Caroline Easther steps out from behind her beloved drum kit to sing songs from her new indie-pop album Lucky, backed by her band The Cinnamon Girls.

MONTGOMERY SQUARE

Every Sunday Motueka Market 8am to 1pm DECKS RESERVE CAR PARK

Every Wednesday Nelson Farmers’ Market 8.30am to 1.30pm

FAIRFIELD HOUSE, NELSON – FRIDAY 3, 7.30PM TO 10PM MUSSEL INN, ONEKAKA – SATURDAY 4, 8PM TO 10PM

MAY Friday 3 & Saturday 4 The Flaming Mudcats Now in their 11th year, The Flaming Mudcats are regarded among the country’s premier rhythm and blues acts. The band is fronted by Craig Bracken on vocals and harmonica along with guitarist Doug Bygrave, powered by bassist Johnny Yu and drummer Ian Thomson as the rhythm section. THE BOATHOUSE, NELSON – FRIDAY 3, 7.30PM TO 10PM. THE DHARMA SHED, BLENHEIM – SATURDAY 4

Friday 3 to Sunday 5 Rocky the Third Rocky the Third is a Shakespearean reimagining of the classic 80s film, Rocky 3. Two ‘travelling players’ attempt to bring to life all the characters and transform one of cinema’s most inarticulate figures into one of Shakespeare’s most verbose heroes in this heavyweight epic. Starts 7pm. GHOSTLIGHT THEATRE, NELSON

Sunday 5 Base Open Day Help the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter celebrate 28 years of service to the community. Meet the crew, grab a sausage, some hot chips or an ice cream, and see all the emergency services from the Nelson region. 11am to 3pm. NELSON-MARLBOROUGH RESCUE HELICOPTER BASE, NELSON AIRPORT

KIRBY LANE

Tuesday 7 Nicolas Dillon Observing Nature Join Marlborough artist Nicholas Dillon, a self-taught artist fascinated by birds and light. Learn about his process and how he became one of New Zealand’s few professional ornithological artists. 5.30pm to 6.30pm. THE NELSON PROVINCIAL MUSEUM, NELSON

Thursday 9 NCMA’s Lunchtime Series: Lissa Cowie & Mark Secker Lissa Cowie (cello) and Mark Secker (piano) present a programme of Brahms, Avro Part and Schumann. From 1pm to 1.45pm. NELSON CENTRE OF MUSICAL ARTS, NELSON

Saturday 11 The Nelson Pun Battle Championships See Nelson’s smartest alecks,

Thursday 9 Kiss The Sky The New Zealand Dance Company (NZDC) and artistic director Shona McCullagh showcase an Asian-Pacific constellation of original dance, music and design, reflecting on the themes of nature and time. Kiss The Sky is “a diverse magical experience” that “grabs your attention from start to finish,” (DANZ). Starts 7.30pm. THEATRE ROYAL, NELSON

wordiest nerds and biggest pun-ks, punslingers and pun-dits battle it out in an intense and hilarious head-to-head pun-off. 8pm to 10pm. GHOSTLIGHT THEATRE, NELSON

Sunday 12 Jennian Homes – Mother’s Day Fun Run 2019 Part of the nationwide Jennian Homes Mother’s Day Fun Run/ Walk, supporting the Heart Foundation. Entries include a free T-shirt for each attendee. 9am to 12pm. SAXTON FIELD COMPLEX, STOKE TAYLOR RIVER RESERVE, BLENHEIM

Sunday 12 Wakapuaka bursting with life – learn about the birds Pack a picnic and head to Hira to learn from bird experts about the different species and how to identify and monitor them. Followed by an optional trip to Paremata Flats to learn about

the coastal species found there. 11.30 to 1.30pm or 3.30pm. HIRA RESERVE, NEAR FIRE STATION

Tuesday 14 Nelson Jazz with Rodger Fox NZ jazz legend Rodger Fox in concert, supported by the Nelson Jazz Club Big Band and the NCMA Youth Jazz Orchestra. 7pm to 9.30pm. NELSON CENTRE OF MUSICAL ARTS, NELSON

Thursday 23 My Name is Moana An intimate 90-minute tribute to the ocean led by singer/songwriter Moana Maniapoto – Art Laureate, inductee into the NZ Music Hall of Fame and 2019 Distinguished Alumni (University of Auckland). The show includes inspirational songs which have taken the musicians across 30 countries. Music starts 8pm. PLAYHOUSE CAFE & THEATRE, TASMAN. PICTON LITTLE THEATRE, PICTON – SATURDAY 11, 7.30PM

EVENTS

Regular Markets

Marlborough

Every Sunday

Thursday 9 to Monday 13 Feast Marlborough

Marlborough Farmers’ Market 9am - 12pm

Celebrity chefs working with local culinary talent, preparing delicious meals featuring Marlborough produce in unique venues from the vineyards to the sea, ensure that Feast Marlborough celebrates the region’s people, produce and landscape. Visit the website

The Sunday Marlborough Farmers’ Market is based on supporting local, fresh and seasonal produce and products. Everything at the market has been picked, grown, farmed, fished, produced and made by the people selling it at the market.

www.feastmarlborough.nz

A&P SHOWGROUNDS

VARIOUS TIMES AND LOCATIONS

MAY Thursday 3 Gin Tasting and Distillation Master Class Join in an evening of gin and education with Dancing Sands Distillery’s owner and distiller, Ben Bonoma. Taste the gins, discuss the gin trend in New Zealand and globally, and learn about the basics of running a distillation. 6pm to 8pm. WINO’S LIQUOR, BLENHEIM

Tuesday 2 A.U.R.A. The SIL Album Tour A.U.R.A is the solo project of New Zealand-born singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Albert Mikolaj. A collection of seven richly arranged tracks which lyrically

Saturday 11 Hākari with the Aunties Join the Aunties of Omaka Marae for a feast unlike any other. For one night only, Hākari will take guests on a cultural and culinary journey, with each course telling its own unique – and local – story. Live music and cultural performances will set the scene for a stunning night. To book, email kiaora@tastemanaaki. co.nz 4.30pm to 10pm. OMAKA MARAE, BLENHEIM

address the mysteries of death and rebirth, Secret Intelligent Light’s aural dreamscape is written by Mikolaj, with fellow multi-instrumentalist Ben Lemi (Trinity Roots, French for Rabbits) adding his Zen-like touch on performance and production throughout. 8pm to 11pm.

Music of the Night, All I Ask of You, Masquerade and the title song about The Phantom of the Opera. 7.30pm to 10pm, Sunday matinee 2pm to 6.30pm.

THE PLANT, BLENHEIM

Saint Clair Vineyard half Marathon

Wednesday 8 to Saturday 18

A unique off-road journey through the vineyards of Marlborough, this annual event affords entrants the opportunity to run or walk through 21 vineyards privately owned by producers such as Cloudy Bay, Wairau River and of course Saint Clair Family Estate. 9am to 3pm.

The Phantom of the Opera The story of a masked figure who lurks beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House, exercising a reign of terror over all who inhabit it, The Phantom of the Opera musical score includes Think of Me, Angel of the Music,

ASB THEATRE, BLENHEIM

Saturday 11

SAINT CLAIR CELLAR DOOR, RAPAURA

Thursday 16 & Friday 17 Graeme James ‘The Long Way Home’ NZ Tour Indie artist Graeme James returns to NZ to tour his Nettwerk label debut album. His captivating live show features Graeme playing electric violin, guitar, bass, baritone ukulele, mandolin, harmonica and percussion as he recreates his foot stomping tunes in real time with his famous loop pedal. LE CAFÉ, PICTON – THURSDAY 16, 8PM TO 10PM. THE BOATHOUSE, NELSON – FRIDAY 17, 8PM TO 10.30PM

Friday 24 Richard Gilewitz For nearly four decades, American fingerstyle wizard Richard Gilewitz has fascinated listeners with six and 12-string finger gymnastics while spinning enchanting yarns of a seasoned raconteur. His signature playing style delivers a technical diversity of banjo-style patterns and classical arpeggios with a rhythmic percussive approach, exploring the history of guitar. From 7.30pm. LE CAFÉ, PICTON

Friday 24 & Saturday 25 Black Grace: 20for20 Led by Neil Ieremia, internationally renowned dance company Black Grace shares a mix of iconic favourites and brandnew works. 7:30pm to 8:30pm. MARLBOROUGH BOYS’ COLLEGE, BLENHEIM. MOTUEKA MEMORIAL HALL MOTUEKA, FRIDAY 24