WildTomato February 2020

Nelson Tasman and Marlborough’s magazine /

ISSUE 163 / FEBRUARY 2020 / $8.95

Find your wedding style ~ how to fit and flatter for your big day

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Education Trends Pest Trap Elegant Casual Wear The Rise of Te Reo Motueka Musician Amalfi Coast Conquering Aoraki Motorcycle Guru

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TH E S ELL ER S ROOM Residential & Commercial Joinery

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Homes For Sale

Stag Ridge $785,000

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Homes For Sale

Mike Greer Homes offers a great selection of Home and Land packages available throughout the Nelson Tasman region.

Mike Greer Homes has over 25 years of experience building homes that are characterised by design innovation and quality workmanship. The value of our specialist knowledge and attention to detail is evident in every home that we build.

If you're looking to buy or build a new home in the Nelson Tasman region, come home to more with Mike Greer Homes.

Montebello $949,000

Mapua $839,000

Lot 81

Lot 64

Mike Greer Homes offers a great selection of Home and Land packages available throughout the Nelson Tasman region.

Mike Greer Homes has over 25 years of experience building homes that are characterised by design innovation and quality workmanship. The value of our specialist knowledge and attention to detail is evident in every home that we build.

If you're looking to buy or build a new home in the Nelson Tasman region, come home to more with Mike Greer Homes.

Contact us

Showhome

Vanessa Clark 027 733 1409 vclark@mikegreerhomes.co.nz Emma McCashin 021 682 787 emccashin@mikegreerhomes.co.nz

1 Piwakawaka Drive, Stoke Open daily, 1pm-4pm

03 544 7873 mikegreerhomes.co.nz

Features Issue 163 / February 2020

Nelson Tasman and Marlborough’s magazine

26 Tying the knot in style Saying “I do” is one of the most special moments in a couple’s life.

Lynda Papesch looks at some of the latest trends and advice on how to make your wedding day special

40 Educating the masses Times and curriculums are changing from pre-school to tertiary education institutes.

Ivy Lynden outlines some of what’s in our future

42 Te reo Māori

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More Kiwis are learning te reo Māori than ever before.

Brenda Webb goes back to the classroom to discover why

INTERVIEWS

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My Big Idea The 2019 Cawthron Scitec Expo Des Duthie Technology Award, for best in technology, went to Nelson College student Kelian Landry for his electronic predator control trap project. Sandrine Marrassé talks to him about his project

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18 The Interview Developer Greg Smith has left a huge mark on Marlborough.

Frank Nelson meets a dynamo in fixed and mobile accommodation

22 Local Connection Des Molloy has clocked up marathon trips worldwide on his motorbike, Alistair Hughes reports

24 Rising Star Geoffrey Douglas catches up with a Motueka musician whose star is shining bright

86 My Education Olivia Buys was working as an accountant when she decided to pursue her passion for creative writing at NMIT. She talks to Alana Bozoky 4

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Wonderful ice cream begins with wonderful milk.

Meet the Appleby Cows.

On March 1st, 2020, we’re participating in Open Farms Day – a national initiative reconnecting Kiwis with food, the land and farmers.

We’re opening Kingsway Farms in Appleby and giving you the chance to meet the cows that produce the wonderful milk we use in our ice cream.

Owners Murray and Sarah King and the team will be on hand to answer any questions you have and we’ll tell you all about our cow-to-cone process.

The best part … we’ll be scooping Appleby Farms ice cream all day.

Register to visit the farm at www.openfarms.co.nz

Columns Issue 163 / February 2020

FASHION

49 Casual elegance Summer functions often lend themselves to a more casual style of dress, styled here by Amy McLeod. Photography

by Ishna Jacobs

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56

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LIFE

56 My Home Brenda Webb talks to a couple right at home when building new houses

62 My Garden Annabel Schuler writes that now is the time to plant clivias to ensure winter colour

63 Wellbeing Nutritionist Emily Hope explores the benefits of having an optimal gut microbiome and its knockon positive effects on overall wellbeing, digestive health, immunity and mental health

64 My Kitchen Roasted beetroot with pomegranate molasses from Madame Lu’s Kitchen

66 Dine Out Popular Blenheim eatery Raupō is back offering tasty morsels and reviewer Tony Pearson discovered some good things don’t change

68 Wine Consumers are clamouring for organic wines, and the ‘gatekeepers’ of wine lists are listening, says the new chair of Organic Winegrowers New Zealand, Clive Dougall. He talks to Sophie Preece

69 Brews The road between Marlborough and Golden Bay is paved with boutique brews, writes Mark Preece 6

ACTIVE

CULTURE

70 Travel

78 Books

Sarah La Touche finds unspoilt pleasures along the sun-drenched Amalfi coast in Italy

72 Adventure Climbing up then skiing down Aoraki / Mt Cook proves a hardy adventure for a determined group, writes Brenda Webb

74 Sports Croquet in Nelson and Marlborough is enjoying a surge in popularity, at a time when many other sports are struggling with declining numbers, reports Phil Barnes

76 Motoring Motoring reviewer Geoff Moffett feels that Kia has made an assertive entry into the small SUV category with its new Seltos

Some of the latest reads, compiled by Renée Lang

80 Music Eddie Allnutt catches up with busker Brian Shone

81 Film Director Terrence Malick has created yet another masterwork in A Hidden Life, says reviewer Eddie Allnutt

REGULARS

8 Editor’s letter 10 Noticeboard 12 Snapped 65 Dine Out Directory 79 In the Gallery 82 Events

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Editor's letter

Editor

H

CEO

ello again and welcome to another exciting issue of WildTomato. Life for most will be back on track after a relaxing festive season, and on many fronts already 2020 is shaping up to be a year of change. We cover some of this in our February issue, especially changes on the education front, changes in our perceived history and in relation to how the country’s early settlement is shaping its future.

Te reo Māori is gaining strength throughout Aotearoa, not just on Waitangi Day which we commemorate this month, but also in our everyday lives and workplaces. More Māori are learning their own language and culture, and so too are many Kiwis of different ethnic backgrounds embracing te reo Māori. Where it leads will be an interesting journey, especially with politicians spearheading some of the movement.

That’s all open to change too, such as later this year when there’s a general election. New Zealand is still a democracy so our elected representatives determine our laws, although not always at the dictate of the people they represent. Regardless of the setting, change is all around us and is ongoing.

We’ve had a change at WildTomato with the appointment of new CEO Lisa Friis who may be known to some of you from a previous role as CEO at Plantae. As always with WildTomato, changes will be subtle and aimed at enhancing the magazine, its readability and the services we provide. Exciting times lie ahead.

Also ahead on this month’s pages we offer some insight into latest wedding trends and how to sort the perfect dress for your shape and style, plus there are all the usual columns. So sit down, relax and happy reading.

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

Lisa Friis 021 0879 4411 lisa@wildtomato.co.nz

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

Contributors

Eddie Allnutt, Phil Barnes, Alana Bozoky, Chelsea Chang, Elora Chang, Geoffrey Douglas, Maureen Dewar, Bob Irvine, Ishna Jacobs, Aimee Jules, Emily Hope, Alistair Hughes, Steve Hussey, Renée Lang, Denis La Touche, Sarah La Touche, Ivy Lynden, Sandrine Marrassé, Brent McGilvary, Amy McLeod, Geoff Moffett, Frank Nelson, Sarah Nottage, Mark Preece, Sophie Preece, Adena Teka, Brenda Webb, Dominque White.

Advertising executives Jo Hender 021 264 7559 jo@wildtomato.co.nz Wendy Rankin 027 221 6969 wendy@wildtomato.co.nz Carrie Frew 021 190 7120 carrie@wildtomato.co.nz

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

LYNDA PAPESCH

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

Love local

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 Read online at issuu.com/wildtomato

Winning style

M

arlborough photographer Matt Winter’s expertly timed photo of two paradise shelducks in perfect symmetry won the inaugural Game Bird Habitat Trust’s photo competition.

Judges noted that it is incredibly rare for a photographer to be able to capture two birds in flight and in perfect symmetry.

Matt says, “The picture was taken whilst out duck hunting with a couple of mates on the West Coast and when these two birds lifted off it made for a great series of photos, but this one with the clean background just stood out to me.”

Winter, an author of several books and articles on the New Zealand

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outdoors, is often out ‘hunting’ with a camera. He says that the secret to great wildlife photography “is patience – patience in many forms.

The patience to learn about your game and the patience to spend many hours out in the field waiting for that perfect photo”.

The winning photo will be now used as the 2020 game-bird habitat stamp.

This stamp is sold on gamebird hunting licences and as a collector’s stamp by NZ Post and raises funds for the protection and enhancement of game bird and other wildlife habitat.

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 photo by Ana Galloway Photography of the Lydia Morgan-Kennedy and Alex Kennedy Wedding

WildTomato magazine is printed by Blue Star Group (New Zealand) Limited using, vegetable based inks and environmentally responsible paper. Printed on Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified stocks, papers made of Mixed Source pulp from Responsible Sources.

Contributor spotlight PAT R I C K C O N N O R

Lead ad designer I have been creating ads for WildTomato for almost seven strong years now. I remember being hired on a hot November afternoon back in 2013 to help the layout team with designing ads. From there I’ve built a strong relationship with our core clients and now lead the ad design team. I have seen this magazine grow over the years and must admit I am honoured to work alongside a network of creative freelance professionals. Working remotely has really caught on over the last few years and I’m glad our business structure has adapted well to accommodate the modern worker.

“More than just collecting the rent.”

Time for a change?

Call Georgia now 022 096 6401

I S H N A JA C O B S Photography

(Fashion 49) Photography has always been my thing; like some people with a good movie and Tim Tams on a Wednesday night, that’s me and photography. Possibly not the best analogy, but I’m racing deadline, my two teens are hormonally unhelpful and it’s 11:28pm … too late for Tim Tams. I started photographing in Christchurch over two decades ago, then for WildTomato about eight years ago while studying for my degree in art and design, meeting and photographing many interesting people, and fashion, every month. For me this is a forever ride; when I’m not photographing commercially I’m photographing artistically; it’s quite simply just who I am.

georgia@havenpm.co.nz

CELLAR DOOR

NOW OPEN

E M I LY H O P E

Wellbeing (page 63) A born and bred Marlburian, I’m an NZ registered nutritionist, family fig and feijoa grower, and mum of two. Between my roles as mum and orchardist, I work as a nutritionist undertaking consultations with clients and running workshops for community groups, workplaces and athletes. I also write nutrition-related articles and love spending time in the kitchen making wholesome and delicious things for my family and I to enjoy and sharing them on the Hope Nutrition blog. I’m extremely passionate about non-diet nutrition, understanding body cues and a mindful approach to food, our bodies and movement to create a sustainable and wholesome approach to health and wellness.

WEEKENDS 10 - 4 WEEKDAYS BY APPOINTMENT Open for wine tasting, sales and vineyard walks with fabulous views across the Moutere to the Kahurangi ranges

Find out more @ www.flaxmore.co.nz Stuart and P Anderson 027.527.8680

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NOTICEBOARD

Let the music play on …

If jazz is music to your ears then head along to the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts (NCMA) on Thursday 27th February to hear authentic New York jazz with the Charlie Porter Quartet. Charlie (trumpet) and David Rozenblatt (drums) will join respected New Zealand musicians Mat Fields (bass) and Nick Granville (guitar) for this special one-off concert in the auditorium.

On a slightly different note, NCMA also has its lunchtime concerts for 2020 listed and on sale via its website. The concerts are held every Thursday at 1pm during school terms one, two and three and feature local and national musicians.

Helping save the whio

N

Photo: Gerald Bruce-Smith

ew Zealand bathroom ware supplier Englefield – whose logo features a yellow duck – has launched an ongoing awareness and support campaign for one of the country’s most loved but endangered species, the blue duck. Also known by its Māori name – whio – and featured on the reverse side of the NZ$10 note – the native blue duck was classified as endangered when its numbers dropped to an estimated 2500 to 3000 individuals.

Englefield will establish a number of initiatives aimed at educating consumers on the plight of this iconic native bird and encouraging them to contribute muchneeded funds for whio protection. Initiatives will include the creation of a donations page on the Englefield website plus various fundraising initiatives throughout the year (and years to come).

Whio, a unique species of waterfowl once widespread throughout New Zealand, is now found only in isolated populations in the middle of the North Island and along the west coast of the South Island.

Where do you read yours?

Tracey Kendall from Auckland reads her WildTomato while enjoying a glass of rosé at Dunbar Estates Cellar door, café and vineyard at Ngatimoti.

Send your image to editor@wildtomato.co.nz ONLY JPG FILES ACCEPTED, MIN 1MB

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G I V E AWAY Win a subscription to Bride & Groom magazine

W

ildTomato has five subscriptions to New Zealand’s very own Bride & Groom magazine to give away, courtesy of the magazine.

Bride & Groom is published twice a year in May and November and has all the wedding inspiration and planning you’ll need! With wedding inspo, gorgeous readers weddings, useful advice, the best vendors and more, it’s a must-read! Your subscription starts with the May issue and includes a digital copy.

In 25 words or less say why you’d like to receive one of the subscriptions.

Email entries by 8am Monday 2nd March to: editor@wildtomato.co.nz The winners will be announced in our April issue.

Let’s dance

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fter raising more than $111,000 for Hospice last year, ‘Dancing for a Cause’ will return in 2020. The NBS Nelson Dancing for a Cause will feature nine dancers who started rehearsals in November in preparation for the big night at the Trafalgar Centre on 23rd May. The dancers taking to the stage are Hamish Fletcher, Phil Jones, Lizl Matthewson, Breffni O’Rourke, Nick Smith, Grant Rosewarne, Al Columbus, Tracy Banner plus Abbie Cook from NBS.

MY BIG IDEA

Protecting our birds from predators The annual Scitec Expo, run by Cawthron Institute, aims to support our region’s young enquiring minds and foster their interest in learning science skills, including capabilities in writing, investigation, analysis and statistics. The 2019 Cawthron Scitec Expo Des Duthie Technology Award, for overall best in technology, was awarded to Year 9 Nelson College student Kelian Landry for his electronic predator control trap project titled ‘E-Trap’.

Sandrine Marrassé talks to him about his project.

P H O T O B R E N T M C G I LVA R Y

What is your big idea?

My big idea is to help achieve a pest-free New Zealand using technology. Mammalian predators including rats, stoats and possums kill approximately 25 million native birds every year in New Zealand and it currently Above: Kelian Landry and his pest trap

costs $70 million per year to manage this pest problem. The government is investing more than $80 million over the next four years towards predator control, which includes research and innovation to develop new tools and techniques for predator control and eradication. Just in Nelson’s Brook Sanctuary alone, there are more than 2,700 monitoring devices that get activated and checked on a regular basis. Lots of time, energy and labour is being wasted on checking traps when they are not triggered. With support from my science teacher Johnnie Fraser, I have developed an electronic trap, called E-Trap to help solve this problem.

How does it work?

I have programmed microcontrollers inside of the E-Trap to send a notification to mobile phones as well as the location of the trap using GPS when it is triggered.

The E-Trap transfers this information using long-range radio waves, as well as a Wi-Fi connected gateway. The app on the phone allows the user to monitor hundreds of traps simultaneously.

The GPS helps users to deploy and move traps without maintaining a log of their location. The device will communicate their new location to the app.

What are the benefits?

The E-Trap was designed to be as convenient, user-friendly and inexpensive as possible. The device has a single activation button and the mobile phone app has a simple and modern interface.

Furthermore, it was designed keeping low power consumption in mind, allowing an estimated battery life of about two years (including natural battery deterioration). With the E-Trap in use, significant amounts of time and resources could be put towards other conservation efforts. With more development, the E-Trap alongside other technology-based innovations could help New Zealand achieve its goal of being pest-free by 2050.

Where are they available?

The E-Trap is still in a prototype stage, but I hope to be able to develop it to a point where it can be used by anyone.

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Snapped WildTomato goes out on the town‌

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Newtown Rocksteady The Boathouse, Nelson PHOTOGRAPHY BY AIMEE JULES

1. Chris Perkins & James Wheatley 2. Kelly & Nick Ammundsen 3. Phil McArdle, Suze FraserHarris, Lisa Friis & Jack Martin 4. Neill Molloy, Benie Chambers & Ryan Campbell 5. Kath Bee & Liz Kendrick

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6. Anna Hammond & Janusz Nowakowski 7. Bruce & Patti Rizer 8. Debbie McGrory & Caroline Vine 9. Rachel Wallen & Jamie Anderson

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master planning commercial residential assessments

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olivia@obdesign.co.nz | 027 464 6694

www.obdesign.co.nz

SNAPPED

10 11 10. Ros Pochin, Paul Malone, John-Paul Pochin

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11. Cam Loveridge-Easther, Chloe Van Dyke, Florence Van Dyke, & Graham Loveridge 12. Paula Ossevoort, Rachael Brown & Sara Clarkson

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13. Cath & Tom Carter 14. Neil & Geland Pritchard 15. Hannah Maschler & Chris Phillips 16. Moira & Donald Thomson 17. Vanessa Craik & Ra Hippolite

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1 Nelson Harness Racing Interislander Summer Festival Richmond Park Showgrounds 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. Leanne Cook, Belinda Chambell & Drew Hawes 2. Troy Adamson, Craig Stewart & James Blacklaws 3. Paul O’Meara, Jamie McPherson & Leanne Hutchinson 4. Jason Broad & Matt Cross

5. Karen Rhind & Warren Galbraith 6. Vicki Davenhill & Debbie Thomas 7. Duncan King & Michelle Bain 8. Cayden Willetts & Dylan Ham 9. Lisa Taylor & Chelsea Reed

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Summer GIGS

The Hermsen Sisters' Band

Country with reggae & cajun influence

2 FEBRUARY - 7.30 PM

20 FEBRUARY - 7.30 PM

Scottish Harp & Guitar

Jazzy, Juggy, Bluesy, Boozy!

Rachel Hair & Ron Jappy

2Bit Jug Band

3 FEBRUARY - 7 PM

21 FEBRUARY - 8 PM

New Orleans Brass Funk

Bluegrass weaving jazz, country & blues

Richter City Rebels

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14 FEBRUARY - 8 PM

You, Me, Everybody

Fairfield

HERITAGE HOUSE & WOODLAND

Enjoy the regular concerts & theatre or hire Fairfield for your very own celebration 48 VAN DIEMEN ST, NELSON fairfieldnelson.org.nz

SNAPPED

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2 LinkedIn Local Event BNZ partners building, Nelson PHOTOGRAPHY BY AIMEE JULES

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1. Bill Rainey, Frank Witowski & Cara Gullick

5. Rachel Salter & Elisabeth Johnston

2. Mark French, Alfredo Puche & Chris Hall

6. Ged Svarc & Emma Worseldine

3. Marie Allen, Hilary Williams & Belma Gaudkrodger

8. Siobhan O’Malley & Jo Kitchen

7. Susa Guhl & Hudson Dodd 9. Michelle Anderson & Marie Allen

4. Judy Celmins & Sandra Johnson

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SNAPPED

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1 Nelson Market Montgomery Square, Nelson PHOTOGRAPHY BY AIMEE JULES

1. Natalie Walker, Jilly Smith & Kaye Smith 2. Emma Casey, Kyra Wharakura & Trish Casey 3. Julie Mcdonnell, John Pyers & Nathan Nukunuku 4. Violet Shepherd & Lilly Gordon

5. Tasha Wikaira & Jess Lagrutta 6. Kyle Palframan & Felicia Dagenais 7. Annie Grimes & Hanna Van Der Giessen 8. Fenja Jones & Lara Robertson 9. Peter & Shelley Wilson

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Marlborough A&P Showgrounds, Blenheim PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA DUNCAN

1. Murray South, Murray & Pat Le Compte

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5. Lucy Wheaton & Jo Bray

2. Tasha Midgley & Anna Muir

6. Charlotte Patterson & Rae Heta

3. Sandy & Mike Inwood

7. Corina & Dan Rotar

4. Amy & Scott Glendinning

8. Caitlyn Gjelstad

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INTERVIEW

Homes, homes on the range G

reg Smith joined DeLuxe Motors, the Blenheim coach business run by his parents Brad and Phyl, way back in 1980. A lot has changed since then, with DeLuxe transitioning out of buses and into property development and selling new motor homes and caravans.

What hasn’t changed in 40 years is that Greg Smith is still there. He and brother Gary are joint managing directors of a company that retains the family flavour it had decades ago – Gary’s son Brett and Greg’s offspring Anthony and Laura are now involved.

Greg, 59, has helped hordes of people make short trips and long tours, from gritty school buses filled with rowdy students to plush coaches ferrying awestruck tourists through New Zealand’s breathtaking scenery. Even today he’s closely involved in selling upmarket RVs to independent-minded travellers who want to get out there and enjoy their own road trips.

But Greg’s longest and most notable journey is surely his own career. It’s a journey stretching from a little garage and service station at Woodend, half an hour north of Christchurch, to DeLuxe Property Group, which has produced prestigious residential landmarks such as Marlborough Ridge, Covent Gardens, Nottinghill and – now taking shape – Rose Manor.

Buses and bowsers

His parents took over the Woodend business in 1958 and later added a couple of school runs, a move signalling the direction the family’s future would take when they moved to Blenheim in 1972 and bought DeLuxe. At that stage the company had six buses, a handful of school contracts, and a depot and service station on Main St where the Caltex service station sits today.

Above: Greg Smith Opposite page: Clockwise - Early transport options; family portrait 18

Photo: Lisa Duncan

Developer Greg Smith has left a huge mark on Marlborough. Frank Nelson meets a dynamo in fixed and mobile accommodation.

“In about 1981 we became the first company to develop wine tours here.”

“I started my working career at the age of 12,” Greg recalls.

“My job in the mornings was to bike to work, unlock the service station, pump gas until about 8.40am, jump on my bike and race to school. Then in the afternoons I’d do the same thing in reverse.”

Greg left Marlborough Boys’ College at 16 and spent three years working in a local butcher’s shop. In those days his passion was dogs and dog-training. He travelled all over the country with his German shepherd to compete in dogobedience competitions.

It seemed like a natural fit when he applied to be a police dog handler but political machinations that year meant both recruit intakes were cancelled, including the one he had been accepted for. So Greg joined the family business and within two years was driving overseas tourists round New Zealand.

DeLuxe buses had been on the streets of Blenheim since 1926 but it was only after the arrival of the Smith family, including siblings Greg, Gary and Lindsay, that the company really began to bloom.

They added more school runs and bought a couple of other companies, including United Rentals, which had a furniture truck, some cars and, most significantly in hindsight, a couple of motorhomes. “That was in the late ’70s and was our introduction to motorhomes,” says Greg.

Vineyards a popular destination

While school runs remained the company’s bread-and-butter, it wasn’t long before DeLuxe recognised the tourism potential of the emerging wine industry. “In about 1981 we became the first company to develop wine tours here,” Greg says.

“I supposed it was a matter of backing yourself and believing in yourself, and jumping off the deep end.”

“We started with smaller buses but later when the Lynx fast-ferry was operating it wasn’t unusual for us to have four or five full-size tour coaches, particularly on weekends with day trippers from Wellington and overnight packages.”

Through the 1980s DeLuxe steadily cemented its involvement with tourism. In 1983 they began operating coaches for Kirra Tours, an Adelaide-based coach tour wholesaler bringing visitors to New Zealand.

The following year the Government devalued the Kiwi dollar by about 20 percent, triggering an avalanche of Aussie visitors. “We had about three years’ worth of Australians arrive in about a year,” says Greg.

To handle the influx, DeLuxe co-opted a few dozen coaches from other operators. “At the peak we had about 25 coaches travelling around New Zealand, mainly with Australian tourists.”

In 1989 they bought a shareholding in Kirra Tours, a partnership that continued until about 2008. In the meantime, DeLuxe and Greg Smith had made an even more significant move into the property market when they bought the then-ailing Blenheim Country Lodge.

The complex near Seymour Square was renamed the Blenheim Country Lodge Hotel. “Over the next 11 years we turned the business around,” says Greg. “We created a loyalty club, fully refurbished the hotel – some parts of it twice – and then in 2002 we sold out to Scenic Circle.”

Greg was the driving force behind the hotel purchase and by about 1994 he had taken over the management. “It was a huge step,” he says. “I had no real hospitality or hotel management experience. I supposed it was a matter of backing yourself and believing in yourself, and jumping off the deep end.”

DeLuxe sold its bus operation to Ritchies Transport in 2003.

“At one stage we employed over 90 people locally. Having that number of staff can be quite stressful so I just knew by 2002 that it was time for a change. Also around that time the property market started to turn and track upwards.”

“The cost of development today is just bloody horrendous.”

Moving into motor homes

Before the bus company was sold, DeLuxe had started importing buses from Japan to sell on to other coach operators and for people to convert into motor homes. “I think in our busiest year, around 2006, we imported 150 buses.”

Those bus conversions were another factor nudging DeLuxe towards the recreational vehicle market. When tougher emission standards in 2007 killed the secondhand bus market, importing motor homes and caravans became even more attractive.

Today, DeLuxe is the agent for five major brands: Pilote (a French motor home), Winnebago, Talvor, Bailey caravans and motor homes, and Le Voyageur. Gary largely runs the RV side while Greg oversees marketing and finance. The company holds dozens of vehicles in stock, most of them at the Blenheim yard on Main St, with more in Tauranga, Levin and Christchurch.

In 2002 DeLuxe made a major investment towards its future as a property development company when it bought Marlborough Ridge out of receivership and breathed new life into the stuttering Fairhall project.

Greg said they could see a hotel was never going to work up on the hills to the west of Blenheim so canned that proposal. The focus switched from creating a destination resort to residential development, with plans for about 200 homes, most of which have now been built.

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Photo: Lisa Duncan

Greg’s father died in 1999 but his name lives on in part of the Marlborough Ridge subdivision, Bradleigh Park. Similarly Greg’s mother, Phyl, now 82, sees her middle name, Rose, reflected in the choice of Rose Manor.

Besides the Ridge, DeLuxe has completed two elegant, rather English-sounding residential subdivisions in the Springlands area of Blenheim: Covent Gardens, comprising 40 sections, and Nottinghill, with 69 lots.

“One of my big passions is design. I’m big on landscapes – trees and gardens,” says Greg. “I enjoy driving into Covent Gardens and up the Ridge and seeing the finished product.

That’s much more satisfying to me than anything else.”

Huge 185-home development

For more than a decade, he says, the company had been waiting for land it bought near Old Renwick Rd, on the outer northern limits of Blenheim, to be re-zoned and for the Marlborough District Council to supply the infrastructure for residential services.

That has now happened and the company’s latest flagship project, Rose Manor – offering about 185 homes – is taking shape, with three dozen sections already sold. The 21ha development will eventually take over an adjacent vineyard.

Greg expects that about 40 percent of the vines will be pulled out, starting in April.

Rose Manor could be his swansong. In four or five years, when the development is complete, he may be ready to try something else – or even retire. “A lot of the enjoyment has gone.

In comparison to when we did Nottinghill it’s so much harder.”

Greg lists things like soil testing (for possible contamination), geotech testing (to assess earthquake risks), and the Resource Management Act (“a nightmare, to be honest”) as among the hurdles developers now face.

“The cost of development today is just bloody horrendous.

From the last stage of Nottinghill to the first stages of Rose Manor, our costs have gone up 157 percent. Council fees alone have gone from about $28,000 per section in 2011 to $68,000 in 2019.”

Inevitably this has pushed up the price of sections, though Greg says Blenheim continues to look pretty reasonable compared with Nelson.

Fitness advocate

Above: Clockwise - The sign lists the family achievements; Greg with his mother Phyl after who Rose Manor has been named 20

As he approaches his 60s, Greg has never suffered from deskbound sloth. Until five years ago he was teaching group fitness classes. Health and fitness are a huge part of his life. “I believe if you want to be a successful individual, then being healthy and fit is key.”

His main recreation now is cross-country mountain biking, which means completing a 30km circuit just about every day after work. And the direction his career takes next could well be decided as he pedals along: “Most of my strategic thinking is done on my bike.”

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21

LOCAL CONNECTION

Easy rider with long legs

Des Molloy has clocked up marathon trips worldwide on his motorbike, Alistair Hughes reports.

PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED

J

ust outside Takaka lives a motorcycling legend; a spry septuagenarian who has ridden across 50 countries. Or at least, he lives there ‘sometimes’. When WildTomato caught up with Des Molloy he was about to take his beloved Panther motorcycle (christened ‘Penelope’) to New South Wales for a rally, then stop for his grandson’s birthday in Melbourne before returning to New Zealand to conduct a series of seminars.

“I don’t know if I’m retired or not, really,” Des admits wryly.

He and Penelope have enjoyed an international reputation for decades, since Des and his younger brother Roly completed a punishing ride from New Orleans to Buenos Aires in their mid-20s. In fact, the other reason for his visit to the Australian motorcycle rally is the ‘soft launch’ of Des’s book based on that adventure, aptly titled No One Said It Would Be Easy.

“It was so pleasurable being able to write it, although it’s a bit unusual to have taken 40 years to get to.” The trip is so full of misadventures and lucky escapes that Des describes their lack of planning as “setting out to perish”.

“When you’re young, you don’t always know how naive and inept you are. We launched off on this extended journey with no budget, no idea where we were going to finish it, or even how to get back.”

22

A desert crossing between Bolivia and Paraguay with their water ration dwindling to just two mouthfuls each, and a lifesaving motorcycle repair consisting of a carefully wedged tree branch are just two of the scrapes the young Kiwis survived.

Destined to meet – eventually

Another close call would have a lasting effect on Des’s life.

Having not long met his future wife Steph, she had saved hard to join him in Mexico during the trip. Unfortunately, a combination of almost non-existent long-distance communication and a wild night on tequila meant they spent a week in the same city unaware of each other’s presence, and almost ended up in different parts of the country.

Des recalls his repeated failure to locate Steph: “I went and sat in a park, and a bus bound for Panama happened to go by with a little face pressed up against the window. It screeched to a halt and Steph jumped out, running towards me across two double carriageways, while everyone on the bus was cheering.”

Des and Steph remain happily married to this day, thanks to just one of the many turns of fortune recounted in No One Said It Would Be Easy. The New Zealand launch of the book was November 23, which happens to be Des’s birthday.

This is the second time he’s been published, as his chronicle of a more recent trip from China to the Netherlands, The Last Hurrah, was released in 2006.

“I told him it was only another 9000 kilometres.”

D E S M O L L OY

“We might still have a mortgage, but man we’ve got some memories.”

“I’d always wanted to go to Mongolia, and one day I got a map out. I had a route in mind and slowly the idea became, ‘I have to do this’.” When Des’s companion for the trip, Dick Huurdeman, mentioned that he had to be in The Netherlands for his sister’s 70th birthday, they decided to extend their journey across all of Asia, the Middle East and into Europe. “I told him it was only another 9000 kilometres.”

Although admitting that he and Dick looked more like Christmas parade Santas than hardcore motorcycle adventurers, they completed the 19,500km trip on classic British motorbikes in 2005, accompanied by Des’s son Steve, who filmed the journey.

Despite riding across half the globe, they arrived at the birthday party just 10 minutes late.

A little more planning and financing was involved than the South American foray. “My mother had passed away and left enough money for me to blow it on an adventure, without impacting on the family fortunes.”

Adventuring began early

Des’s childhood in Berhampore, Wellington, helped to shape the yearning for far-away exploits that came to characterise his life.

“In our generation, our parents demonstrated ‘benign neglect’.

They left us alone and we were allowed to have adventures.”

At age 13, Des persuaded brother Roly, 11, to cycle to Murchison. Their mother made a tent and sleeping bags, and their father installed three-speed gears on Des’s pushbike. But the boys had to prove themselves first by riding to Masterton, 82km north of Wellington. Once accomplished, the pair took

Above: Clockwise: Des in South America; Des arrives in Arnhem; visiting Nullarbor; Des at Uluru Opposite page: Des with his new book No One Said It Would Be Easy

the ferry to Picton and began their first extended road adventure together.

“Roly had always been a very mechanically minded kid, whereas I was the academic, so here we were, on the road, and we hadn’t even got to Havelock before the saddlebag panniers had cut through. Roly figured out how to cobble together stuff so we could carry on. And of course we didn’t know how to cook. But we could try …”

Next on the list

The pair completed the return trip to Murchison. In more recent years, Des has enjoyed smaller-scale (by his standards) motorcycling challenges, having just completed a gradual circumnavigation of Australia when WildTomato spoke to him. And he was in the news again earlier this year, recreating his first ride around the South Island in 1968 with old friend Andrew Reisch.

Unlike the first time, this trip included a stay at the Tahunanui motor camp, which banned all bikers back in those days.

Des is already considering a tour of Tasmania next year.

“My two daughters, in particular, are convinced that I suffer from terminal optimism, and one day it will really get me into trouble.”

The cost of such grand adventures hasn’t been cheap, but Des is in no doubt about the benefits gained. “As with most things in life, the pain of paying is temporary, and it goes away quite soon. We might still have a mortgage, but man we’ve got some memories.”

23

R I S I N G S TA R

Motueka star-rise

BY GEOFFREY DOUGLAS | PHOTO DOMINIQUE WHITE

W

hen Jessica Leigh took to the stage in the 2019 Titans of Tunes original music competition solo/duo section, her performance of three original songs hushed the crowd within the first few bars. Once she started singing, nearsilence enveloped the audience, her music entrancing the crowd throughout what proved to be the winning presentation.

She dazzled audience and fellow contenders alike, with many commenting afterwards how taken-away they were, past and future disappearing, Leigh’s voice, piano and sentiment remaining present, washing over and through them in the way only great music can.

Leigh was raised in a family with its roots in country and folk music, and is the niece of New Zealand country music star Roger Tibbs. She feels this musical background significantly

“I feel the true mark of a great musician is to be able to play live because there’s no hiding, you can’t fake authenticity, and I think that’s ultimately what we’re all striving for as musicians.”

J ESSICA LEIG H

24

influenced her honest, storytelling style of song writing. “I think all great songs have to start from an achingly honest place, because that’s how you resonate with your audience. In my experience as a songwriter, I find it difficult to write a song that I’m not completely emotionally invested in, especially if I’m not honest with myself about those emotions.”

She feels extremely grateful to have grown up in a family and community that have always been ‘incredibly supportive’ of her musical ventures. Leigh feels especially grateful for her high school music teacher, Hilary Sinclair, someone she describes as an ‘incredible, dedicated woman’. She saw Leigh’s potential and would organise weekend gigs and other events. Leigh was encouraged when Sinclair took her usual front-row-supporter spot at every gig – especially ones she thought Sinclair didn’t know about. “She came to every show and was always there smiling in the front row with her video camera.”

Graduating from Motueka High School in 2019, Leigh feels ‘excited’ despite feeling ‘academically burnt-out’ after the last five years. For her, the education system had a stranglehold, of sorts, on her creativity, but now she sees her own hands are the ones in control of her life and artistic craft. Leigh first performed an original song at her high school talent competition at 14-years-old, which is where she began to let go of what others thought, simply enjoying making her music, a pivotal tool that has helped her keep-on-keeping-on.

Learning from mistakes

In creating her music, Leigh has found making mistakes has been the key to her growth. “I feel it’s important to understand it’s okay to make a mistake, which also goes with knowing it’s unrealistic to get it right first time. Things happen for a reason and it all works out in the end.” Further, she says, “When you go to a concert, sure, you want it to sound like the recording, but you still

Along with writing songs, Leigh also writes poetry, which has brought her to publishing her first collection of poems, in the dreamland. want it to sound alive. I feel the true mark of a great musician is to be able to play live because there’s no hiding, you can’t fake authenticity, and I think that’s ultimately what we’re all striving for as musicians.”

Leigh is planning on releasing her self-written debut album in early 2020, and will be venturing overseas to promote it. With five songs already released on Spotify, iTunes and all other music platforms, Leigh is well on her way to becoming a household name. Her latest single, Bonnie & Clyde, is a haunting and beautiful piece of storytelling and music-making, where she easily stands alongside her contemporaries, such as Sarah McLachlan. Truth shows off her soulful touch of the piano’s keys, as well as the delicacy and power of her voice. Galaxy slowburns then drives, then burns again in typical tension-release, masterfully showcasing her talent as a songwriter and composer, very much in the ilk of Lorde’s Green Light. Ecstasy reveals Leigh’s multi-talented side, playing guitar as well as layering considered harmonies, taking the listener on the song’s journey.

He Only Loves Me When He’s High, Leigh’s debut single, plays on the title’s theme with well-constructed lyrics and production, reminiscent of some of New Zealand’s best pop music.

Recording session

Music competitions, such as Titans of Tunes, have provided a unique stage for local musicians, of all ages, to share their original music with an audience, Leigh now its latest soloist winner. Part of her prize was recording a song at NMIT, produced

by Nelson record label, Wizard of Light Ore Productions.

During the recording session, Leigh’s professionalism was evident. Gracious and insightful, she created an easy-feeling space within which to perform. Her level of rehearsal was immediately evident as high. Her notes flowed out of her fingers, accompanied by her sublime voice. These are all dream ingredients for a recording session because the key to a great recording, the thick end of the song wedge, is a great song, played beautifully, by an amazing musician. Leigh is certainly assured success with her approach to recording music.

Along with writing songs, Leigh also writes poetry, which has brought her to publishing her first collection of poems, in the dreamland. “It revolves around themes iconic to adolescence and coming of age; such as young love, loneliness and endless contemplation.” With this she also collaborated with friends and members of the Motueka community to create a video for her poem, My Cotton Skin. “The poem was written in the hopes of encouraging each other to stand together, despite our differences.”

She says, “We all have a responsibility to speak out when we see injustice.”

Leigh is certainly a bright light, one whose intent comes from a deep desire for personal joy and freedom of expression, while also wishing the same for others. She sees her struggles and successes as a common meeting ground; a place where we can all heal and grow, her music, her gift to all of us.

Thanks, Jessica.

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Opposite page: Jessica Leigh 25

Weddings

Tying the knot in style Photo: Ana Galloway Photography

Walking up the aisle, down the garden path or along a beach to say “I do” is one of the most special moments in a couple’s life. Lynda Papesch looks at some of the latest trends and advice on how to make your wedding day special.

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“I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone.” ~ J. R. R. TOLKIEN

Photo: Ana Galloway Photography

Then again cheese is a popular alternative with large rounds stacked in tiers and decorated with colourful fruit; a sort of cheese board meets wedding cake option.

Nor do the layers all have to be the same. Auntie’s tried and true fruit cake may still find a home as part of the creation, complemented by an assortment of other flavours. There are no rules here.

H

e or she pops the question; you say “Yes”, and now the planning starts. Marriage is not just an institution; it’s the start of a new life together and that calls for something special no matter how large or small your big day is.

Size doesn’t matter to some brides and grooms while it does to others. Of course how big the wedding is depends largely on the happy couple or rather who is financing it. In decades past it was traditional for the bride’s family to pay for the wedding and the groom and his family to sort the beverages and flowers. That often meant both families having a fair say in how big and who was invited.

Not so these days. Many couples pay for their own weddings; size and venue dictated by budget. From simple civil ceremonies to large family affairs, weddings still take a bit of planning and often the happy couple will put their special day in the hands of a professional wedding planner. That may ease some of the workload, but input from the prospective bride and groom is essential to guarantee they have what they want. The larger the event, the more time should be allowed in the lead-up, but as a general rule allow nine to 12 months.

Flower power

The same may be said for bridal bouquets and flowers.

Traditionally the bride and her attendants carry bouquets, while the groom and his entourage have boutonnieres. Then there are corsages for various attendees, table and venue flowers and so the list goes on.

One advantage of an outdoor wedding is flowers may be kept to a minimum, especially if it is by the beach. Table decorations for instance lend themselves more to sand and sea shells than floral art. Vineyard venues create a visual spectacle of nets, grapes and vine leaves and a rural wedding brings to mind hay bales, barns and fairy lights.

Many of the choices will come down the budget, theme and venue so these are three aspects of planning that need to be sorted relatively quickly. If you are short on ideas, take a look online or visit a wedding show.

Takes the cake

Photo: Ana Galloway Photography

Many items on the ‘to-do list’ just flow on from each other, and many are common sense. Take the cake for instance, if the happy couple decide that they want a cake! No more aunties’ rock solid fruit cakes.

Classic tiered cakes, simple naked cakes and tiered rustic numbers are the order of the day with a nod to themes and sometimes kitsch designs. On the inside these gorgeous moist gateaux burst with flavours such as chocolate raspberry truffle, salted caramel, chocolate cappuccino, lemon summer berry, cookies and cream and all manner of flavours and combinations.

Part of the fun is tasting the options before deciding.

From top: Clockwise - Lydia Morgan-Kennedy and Alex Kennedy married at last; an iconic Kiwi setting for photographs Opposite page: Beach ceremony of Lydia Morgan-Kennedy and Alex Kennedy 27

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“The highest happiness on earth is the happiness of marriage.” ~ WILLIAM LYON PHELPS

Photos: NZ Bride & Groom Magazine

For brides, having a drop-dead gorgeous gown sits at the top of the list, and these days they’re often spoilt for choice. In the age of the Internet, some will opt to shop online but beware. Horror stories surface regularly of major hitches, the dress not being what was ordered, not arriving on time and not fitting well.

The choice is up to the bride of course, but many do consult a wedding dress designer or a wedding couturier if they’re lucky enough to find one. The latter – a designer who also creates the gowns, often hand-sewn, from start to finish – tailors each gown to the client’s specific requirements.

One of the last truly bespoke bridal couturiers in New Zealand is Renwick-based Bernadette Thomas. She created her first wedding dress 40 years ago – her own – and for the last 30 years has specialised in wedding gowns.

“I really enjoy what I do. I sit down with each bride and then design and create their very own bespoke gown, from scratch.”

She occasionally creates matching flower girls’ dresses, but steers clear of outfitting bridesmaids. “I find most brides now put their energies and money into their own gown so that they shine on their big day. Most have off-the-rack bridesmaids’ dresses.

“Bridesmaids are there to flatter the bride, not be in competition with her and there are a myriad of attendants’ dresses out there to suit all shapes and sizes. My focus is on the bride and her dress.”

Bernadette says that often prospective brides have a picture of what they’d like and she also factors the wedding venue and bride’s body shape into the equation when designing. “They might be planning a beach wedding or a vineyard venue so the gown has to be suitable. I believe it is really important to fit the gown to both the bride and the wedding venue. For instance floaty works better for more casual settings, rather than some of the stiffer fabrics and designs.”

Most brides have their first consultation 12 months before their wedding date so it allows plenty of time before the big day to ensure their dress is just right. “The best part is seeing their photos with them looking gorgeous and I can see that the gowns are working for them; a total reflection of them and their day.”

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Photo: Supplied

Saying yes to a dress

Above: Wedding dress couturier Bernadette Thomas Below: From left to right - Examples of Bernadette’s work, as featured in NZ Bride and Groom magazine

Trend wise, Bernadette says a lot of brides opt for silk chiffon, although lace never goes out of fashion. “As with the fashion industry in general, the wedding apparel industry is cyclic so many similar designs and fabrics regularly repeat.”

Nelson-based designer

Nelson Tasman-based wedding dress designer Lainee Hermsen takes special pride in ensuring her brides’ dresses are perfect for their big day. In the business for more than a decade now, Lainee initially – until the advent of online shopping – specialised in bespoke dresses.

She still does some bespoke but more made-to-measure now, and she also works closely with Nelson-based Pyne & Eid Tailors.

Most of her brides spend between $2500 and $4000 for made-to-measure gowns but some budget upwards of $10,000.

Finding the perfect wedding dress doesn’t have to be daunting, she says. “Several factors come into play when a bride is sorting out her wedding dress, and it’s almost like a process of elimination.

“You need to start with an open mind, while at the same time having an idea about your own style and personality. Maybe create a Pinterest board showing your proposed wedding theme, colours and any gowns you’ve seen that you like the look of.”

Lainee encourages prospective brides to try on as many different dress styles (and colours) as they can. “Halter neck, shoestring straps, sweetheart neckline, strapless – try them all along with a range of colours including white, off-white, ivory, champagne and even stronger colours to find what suits best. There are lots of variations of set silhouettes that you can find online too.

“It’s really important to try different styles because what they see and like online may not actually suit their figure.”

When it comes to making each wedding dress special, Lainee says it is the little details that make the difference; details such as the types of fabric, the colour, bead work and other touches that make a gown unique to its wearer.

Popular fabrics currently include lace, silk, crepe, stretch fabrics and chiffon while colours are off-white (the most common choice), ivory and a variety of lighter shades although white does not feature highly.

And she says it is important for brides to dress to enhance their own personality rather than just follow a trend.

Photo: Ana Galloway Photography

Photo: Aimee Jules

Lainee encourage brides to have their first consultation 12 months before the wedding, although six to 12 months is workable.

“Each prospective bride should expect to have an initial consultation and then try on dresses. The follow-up consultation will include sorting the design and measurements, after which there will be several fittings to make minor alterations and adjustments to the gown, and to select appropriate head gear. She also suggests a final fitting with hair and make-up done to ensure everything comes together properly.

Foundation fitting

Photo: Aimee Jules

When it comes to weddings, getting the foundation lingerie right for the bride is hugely important, says Kamni Raju-Russell, Independent Intimo Bra Fit Specialist.

“Shopping for bras and briefs is not as exciting as finding that dream dress, but overlooking the importance of these foundation pieces will leave you unsupported and uncomfortable on the most important day of your life! It is called foundation pieces for that reason!

“Scary but true – the wrong wedding lingerie can totally ruin the look of your beautiful wedding dress. Stakes are high when it comes to bridal fashion.

“Some of the worst thing that happens on your wedding day are visible straps, lumps or lines!”

Above: From left to right - Lainee Hermsen making adjustments to a wedding gown; a selection of dresses at Lainee’s Tahunanui studio Below: Grant, left, and Sam of Pyne and Eid Tailoring

Often bespoke gowns will include built-in foundation pieces, but if not then Kamni says the best time to shop for your wedding lingerie is after your first gown fitting. It will give you an understanding of what type of lingerie will work for you.

She also advises taking a picture of your gown when you are lingerie shopping or inviting a bra fit specialist to the fitting.

Making men (and women) look great

Men also want to look great on their wedding day so more are opting for stylish cuts, shaves and beard trims at their local barber and a visit to their resident tailors.

Nelson is home to Pyne & Eid Tailoring where former Sydney high-end fashion businessmen Grant Pyne and Sam Eid design, cut and sew to create stylish bespoke jackets, suits and all manner of men’s (and women’s) apparel. They specialise in bespoke clothing from design to production, for all body types.

A wedding day is just as special for the groom as well as the bride so what they wear is important too, and that’s where tailoring can be a big help. “Men come in all shapes and sizes and it is very important to get a good fit, whether it is pants, jackets, shirts or suits,” says Sam. “Tailoring is the best way to get a proper fit; to accentuate the good and disguise the bad,” adds Grant.

Bespoke tailoring may take up to eight weeks from measuring to the final result, and include up to four fittings, explains Sam who studied fashion design at the Whitehouse Institute of Design in Sydney. He specialised in tailoring and garment construction, working initially at the New South Wales men’s fashion brand Calibre, which Grant managed at the time.

Now they spend their days at a quieter pace in Nelson, but still styling, snipping and sewing either creating bespoke garments or making alterations to suits and wedding dresses already purchased by the client. Typically a first consultation includes discussion about what the client likes, a look at fabrics and an assessment of their body type. From there it’s on to the fitting stage, creating and using a mockup to see how each garment will fit and fall.

He and Grant specialise in natural fibres – wool, silk, cashmere – with a wide range of men’s and women’s fabric sample books from the likes of London’s Holland & Sherry, and French company Dormeuil.

31

WEDDING DIRECTORY

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Photo: The Woods Photography

Photo: Aimee Jules

Sorting a venue

The venue is another major wedding planning factor and these days the trend is for more informal settings, although there are those who still opt for a traditional church wedding.

Erin Brady of EB Events says the past few years have seen a drastic change in venue hire in the Nelson Tasman region. “The closure of places such as Mahana Estate, Seifrieds’ Function Centre and now the marquee at Monaco, means that Nelson is getting low on venues that can hold 80-plus guests.”

But she adds, there is still an amazing variety and number of venues that can cater to larger numbers in Nelson Tasman and also Marlborough. Those wanting the spectacular Nelson Tasman vineyard, ocean or mountain views that this region is renowned for will, however, need to consider hiring a marquee for the big day.

“A marquee wedding is not as expensive as you may imagine and it is worth asking local suppliers for a quote,” says Erin. “If you don’t want the extra costs or the look/idea of a marquee Above: Left - Erin Brady of EB Events Right: Wedding setup, featuring GK furniture at Lancewood Villa

~ ALBERT EINSTEIN wedding, there is an abundance of local community halls in the region and all are within a reasonable price range. What you save in hire fees you can use to ‘dress the place up’.”

Smaller (less than 80 guests) weddings have an even greater venue choice with something to suit all budgets, themes, styles and locations, she adds.

More relaxed

Kim and Gareth Rosser run GK Events Hire and agree that Nelson Tasman lends itself well towards the growing trend of more casual weddings, moving away from the traditional white wedding.

“People are embracing mismatched but complementary furniture and styling with different levels of seating for dining and lounging. Barn and more industrial venues are sought after, and local halls with a rustic wood charm are becoming increasingly popular because they offer a more relaxed atmosphere with appealing prices,” says Kim.

Photo: Ana Galloway Photography

Photo: Fiona Anderson Photography

Below: From left to right - Wedding of Pip and Anthony at Appleby House, featuring Flexitnz with GK furniture; wedding of Liv and Michael at Lowcost Lawnmowers new venue in Appleby, featuring Wild Peaks Tipis and GK furniture

“You can’t blame gravity for falling in love.”

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Photos: Sandra Johnson - Boutique Photography

She also notes the number of Nelson Tasman venues closing has meant a rise in marquee/tent weddings. “Couples can achieve a rustic relaxed feel with the natural tones, organic shapes and wooden poles offered in Flexitenz stretch tents or Wild Peaks Tipis. Another popular option is placing more traditional classic marquees in a scenic location.”

Kim says that historic venues such as The Boathouse, Founders Park Granary and Fairfield House continue to be popular venue locations that offer character and wooden tones but in a more central location. “There is also a shift towards venues such as Appleby House and Rabbit Island Huts that provide accommodation within their beautiful natural surroundings.

“More and more couples are choosing Nelson Tasman as a destination wedding location or ‘coming home’ to get married so this option is appealing when all guests can be together on site,” she adds.

The Dream Maker

Destination Event Consultant, celebrant and photographer Terri Everett has fingers in several wedding-associated pies. As The

“A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.” ~ ROBERT QUILLEN

Above: From left to right - Models Justine Scott-Ker and Adam Lucas set the scene for a dream wedding at Falcon Brae Villa Below: Falcon Brae Villa at Stonefly Lodge

Dream Maker, Terri specialises in making wedding dreams come true and is working hard to make Nelson Tasman a premier international elopement and wedding destination.

Named most outstanding unique wedding experience 2019 by the Wedding Industry (NZ), The Dream Maker caters for micro weddings, elopements and intimate ceremonies that make the most of the spectacular scenery in Nelson Tasman.

Terri came to the region on her honeymoon in 1995, returning with her family to live in 2006. She loves its vast canvases of breathtaking locations and views and unique wildlife, using them as the settings for the bespoke weddings she plans.

“We are home to three beautiful yet completely different national parks, Abel Tasman, Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi. I am the only celebrant and wedding consultant locally to hold concessions for all three. Other amazing venues unique to the region include Wharariki Beach, Farewell Spit and Dunbar Estates [vineyard] at Ngatimoti.”

Terri works with a tried-and-tested local and international team of independent service and product providers that work closely together as a unit to ensure that each wedding goes completely to plan, whether it is by the beach, via helicopter to Rainbow Skifield or at her own purpose-built venue Moonraker House overlooking Split Apple Rock.

Photo: Supplied by Falcon Brae Villa

Micro-wedding venue

She also works in conjunction with Nelson Tasman’s newest luxury accommodation, Falcon Brae Villa near Stonefly Lodge, which caters for micro-weddings. Opened in December last year, the villa is set high on a private hilltop above Stonefly Lodge with 360-degree views over the surrounding mountains and river below.

“It showcases our region in a way that no other place locally does, and I’m so excited that we now have it as a wedding venue.”

Looking to the future Terri believes the region has an exciting future as a national and international wedding destination, and is working with Nelson mayor Rachel Reese to bolster this. “We can cater for the couple running off to get married, to those wanting a truly unique wedding. As well as showcasing Nelson Tasman, it will also bring in valuable revenue for the region; it’s a win-win,” she says.

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“We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird.

And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” ~ DR. SEUSS

Planning timeline

Photo: Lisa Duncan Photography

Booking a venue, a celebrant and a dressmaker are usually at the top of the must-do list, but other essentials may be left till later. Planning timelines are available online, in specialist bridal magazines and from wedding and events planners.

Most of those advise:

Nine to 12 months before • Decide the style, budget and who is contributing to the wedding • Organise a wedding planner if wanted • Set the date, time and venue • Book the venue, musicians /DJ etc • Organise quotes from photographers, caterers • Decide on a bridal gown designer/couturier and men’s outfitter • Decide on a theme/colour scheme • Sort the wedding transport

Six to nine months before • • • • • • • • • •

Finalise the wedding gown design Talk with the minister, priest or celebrant Finalise the guest list Send a save-the-date Select a caterer Order the wedding cake Discuss and order flowers Select a photographer/videographer Decide on a social media/Insta/Twitter plan Start a beauty regime

Three months before • Acquire bridesmaids’/flower girls’ dresses and sort accessories • Sort the groom’s and groomsmen’s attire • Start writing wedding vows • Choose a wedding gift registry (optional) • Finalise guest list and send out invitations • Book hair and make-up • Book wedding night accommodation • Decide and book honeymoon • Liaise with wedding photographer, videographer, chauffeur and celebrant

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One month to go • • • • • • •

Apply for marriage licence Arrange seating plan Trial hair and make-up (with veil /head piece) Sort thank-you gifts Organise speeches Arrange wedding rehearsal Finalise menu and beverages, confirm guest/ catering numbers • Have final dress fitting and pick up • Collect wedding rings • Start wearing in wedding shoes

One week to go • Hold rehearsal at ceremony site with key people • Sample the bubbly • Print speeches • Re-confirm all bookings, numbers, times and details • Pick up any hired items • Write place cards • Have hens’ night and stag party • Check groom’s party wedding attire • Check venue has schedule • Wrap attendants’ presents • Pack for wedding night and honeymoon • Practise your wedding vows

On the day • • • • •

Sleep in if you can Start with a champagne breakfast Pamper yourself Have flowers delivered Enjoy

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gkeventshire.co.nz 39

Future Education

A learning curve for the future Major changes are underway already and more planned with the biggest shake up of New Zealand education in 30 years. Ivy Lynden reports on the changes and some of their ramifications.

S

oon Parliament will start to debate and decide the Education and Training Bill 2019 which features many of the biggest education changes in decades. Introduced late last year, the bill aims to establish a more learner-focused, higherquality, culturally responsive, and inclusive education system for all of New Zealand’s children, young people and adult learners.

Exactly how much of it becomes law remains to be seen; it has yet to navigate the Education and Workforce Committee, after which members of the public will be invited to make submissions on the bill and then it will go through the parliamentary readings process.

Law changes and the processes they go through are often considered tedious and boring, but that’s no excuse not to become familiar with what they propose, especially when education is at stake and affects such a wide range of people.

This particular bill’s provisions give effect to the Government’s plans to transform early learning, schooling, tertiary and vocational education. Its suggested changes are based on feedback from the 2018 Education Summits, from over 48,000 participants in the Kōrero Mātauranga | Education Conversation, and from the Government’s response to the Tomorrow’s Schools Taskforce’s final report.

This is the future of our children, their learning and eventually how it will impact on jobs and the path forward.

… a more learner-focused, higherquality, culturally responsive, and inclusive education system for all of New Zealand’s children, young people and adult learners.

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Education is at the heart of how we move forward and especially how the school children and young people of today will decide all our futures.

In some instances the changes won’t even be noticed by students; they’ll just be part of their daily curriculum. That said, parents who do take notice and become involved will be acutely aware of some changes and make their own judgments, good or bad.

Many do already, lamenting what lessons were like ‘in my day’, harking back pre-NCEA and some even further.

At the end of the day, only time will tell if the changes are effective and if they will have any impact on Kiwis’ abilities to find jobs. Currently New Zealand university graduates rate reasonably highly in the annual London-based agency Quacquarelli Symonds rankings of the world’s top 100. Auckland University is the only New Zealand tertiary learning facility to rank in the top 100, although the other major universities all have creditable rankings lower down the list. The 2020 rankings have Auckland University in 88th place, followed by Otago University ranked 176th in the world, Victoria University 215th, Canterbury University 227th, Waikato University 266th, then Massey at 287th, Lincoln at 356th and the Auckland University of Technology at 422nd in the world.

The study reports New Zealand university graduates as being ‘highly desirable’ and the universities successfully upskilling their graduates in ways that prepare them for the uncertain, volatile, ambiguous future of work. This means that Kiwi universities are in an excellent position to attract more international students at a time when the desirability of British and US universities is being increasingly questioned.

Change isn’t necessarily bad and what lies ahead for New Zealand learning centres – from pre-school to tertiary and postgraduate level – will impact differently at the various levels.

The bill also advocates strengthening the quality, viability, safety and supply of early learning services.

Proposed changes

The bill’s proposed main changes for schooling include: • Modifying school boards’ primary objectives to include educational achievement, ensuring the physical and emotional safety of students and staff, being inclusive and catering for students with differing needs and giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

• The requirement for boards to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi includes ensuring their plans and local curriculum reflect local tikanga Māori, by achieving equitable outcomes for Māori learners and by taking all reasonable steps to make instruction available in tikanga Māori and te reo Māori.

• Setting a Code of Conduct with minimum conduct standards for board members.

• The development of set criteria, in consultation with educators, to assist school boards with the appointment of principals.

• Ensuring more local children can attend their local schools by shifting responsibility for enrolment schemes from boards to the Ministry of Education.

• Strengthening the rights of parents, whānau and students by enabling the creation of independent complaint and dispute resolution panels. These would investigate serious disputes, such as suspensions and exclusions or learning support provision, where matters cannot be resolved with the school.

• Requiring boards to consult with their students (as appropriate), their staff and school communities when making school rules.

The bill also advocates strengthening the quality, viability, safety and supply of early learning services. Proposals include ministerial approval for new early learning services, police vetting for all adults living or present in a home where home-based early

learning and care are offered, increased non-compliance fines, and giving the Education Review Office (ERO) more powers to review the quality of home-based early learning services.

If you’re involved in education or want to have input into the submissions then it’s well worth a read of the proposals which also cover aspects such as physical restraint, student exclusion and expulsion and religious instruction. Visit the New Zealand Parliament website for the specifics.

Tertiary changes

Changes are ongoing and well advanced in the re-structure of tertiary education, announced this time last year. The biggest reforms to the tertiary sector since 1990, it also is one of several ‘big reviews’ that form part of the Education Work Programme.

Approximately 2904 submissions were received after the February 2019 tertiary consultation proposals were rolled out.

Announcing the specifics in August last year, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said changes will provide greater industry control over all aspects of vocational education and training, making the system more responsive to employers’ needs and to the changing world of work.

The changes mean that New Zealand’s 16 institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs) are being combined operationally into one national campus network, set to be operational from April 1 this year. The transition process is expected to take a few years, with the Government pledging to help meet cash flow problems and to cover the cost of transition.

As part of the restructure, Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) are being established at regional campuses such as Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) to drive innovation and expertise, and improve linkages between education, industry and research.

The exact impact remains to be seen with various groups and affected shareholders both praising and criticising the plans.

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Photo: Kaerena Vincent

Between four and seven industrygoverned Workforce Development Councils will be created by 2022 and will replace and expand most of the existing roles of industry training organisations.

Liam Sloan

NMIT Chief Executive Liam Sloan says that while the road ahead has some uncertainties, NMIT will continue to step up to the challenge and work to make any transition not only smooth but a successful one for Aotearoa. NMIT supports some of the Government proposals, for example the establishment of CoVEs and is hoping that the Marlborough Campus is seen as the preferred location for the Primary Industries one, but is unhappy about the inadequacies of the current funding regime and lack of urgency demonstrated to fix it.

“As a result of the Government’s Reform of Vocational Education there is an intention to unify the vocational education funding system that will apply to all provider-based and workintegrated education.

More funding needed

“This has been long awaited as ITPs have not seen a funding increase in over a decade which has undoubtedly impacted on a number of ITPs receiving Government bailouts,” says Liam.

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“NMIT has not required any such bailouts as it has had cash reserves, but I am disappointed that it is unlikely that the funding model will not be changed until 2023 which is not quickly enough.”

He adds that the delay in changing the funding model means that NMIT will be relying on cash reserves to not only keep its doors open but also in making significant investments to ensure the learner experience continues to be high priority.

“I am pleading for the Government to address the inadequacies of the funding model as a priority.”

Recently he praised the team at NMIT, the NMIT Council, Te Tau Ihu and the wider Nelson Marlborough community for their engagement and commitment during the consultation process, saying he had no doubt that the significant skill base of Team NMIT will be called on during transition, to add value to this complex process of sector change.

Having a concerted engagement process around the reform had been essential, and was a process that NMIT and the Nelson Tasman Marlborough region fully participated in.

Building strong partnerships

“Delivery of the proposals in August showed that our feedback was listened to and was incorporated into the final decision making. Our concerns were taken into account,” says Liam.

He adds that while there is still much detail to be determined, the new direction appears to align well with NMIT’s focus on building strong partnerships with local industry and sector groups. Last year for example, NMIT announced an alliance with the Bragato Research Institute (BRI). The national research winery has been built at NMIT’s Budge Street campus in Marlborough and will open later this month. BRI worked alongside NMIT and the Marlborough Research Centre to secure the site, and the location will enable further collaboration between the organisations and the wider grape and wine sector.

NMIT is well set up already to handle the centres of excellence role. In the past it has taken a similar approach with other specialised sector groups including aviation engineering, conservation, aquaculture and maritime. This aligns with the Centres of Vocational Excellence, or CoVE, approach, which forms a core part of the reform.

“NMIT will step forward to participate in the development of these new opportunities which will enable us to continue with development of valuable industry relationships. It will make sense for the establishment team to select NMIT as the CoVE for grapes and wine given our location, existing partnerships and proven delivery in this sector,” says Liam.

“We communicated the benefits of this preference during the consultation process and we will continue to push for this decision.”

Other areas where NMIT has identified potential opportunities for greater involvement in the reform process include sharing its expertise on Business Intelligence models.

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Māori will be included as key partners, including through Te Taumata Aronui, a Māori Crown Tertiary Education Group, that will work with education agencies and ministers and cover all aspects of tertiary education.

“We have clearly demonstrated improved outcomes year on year and are now recognised as having a leading model that provides vital analytics enabling us to track and monitor progress as well as forecast learner outcomes.”

In addition, the 2018 Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) performance results placed NMIT first for course completion rates for all learners. The Institute was also placed first for completion rates for both Māori and Pasifika learners during 2018.

These rankings are produced following assessment against performance of all sixteen Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) and NMIT anticipates that the expertise it has demonstrated in this KPI will be called on to help build performance targets relevant to the new culture.

NMIT already has strong relationships with Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) who have traditionally delivered apprenticeship training across a range of sectors. Under the

… a national framework for New Zealand history will be taught in all schools and kura by 2022.

44

new system ITOs will be incorporated into the ITP model. This is a substantial change that will require a strong partnership approach at a local level and NMIT will be working hard to facilitate the transition with the minimum amount of disruption, for those in existing apprenticeships and for their employers.

“I urge Government to move forward with the sector funding review quickly. The sector has not had a funding increase for over a decade and yet cost of living has increased significantly over that time. The demands during the change process will be significant and increased funding will be a requirement to ensure success,” adds Liam.

“I have no doubt that the Establishment Board will be working swiftly to ensure the right process is in place to make the transition as efficient as possible and we look forward to working with them as required.”

Industry councils to lead

Between four and seven industry-governed Workforce Development Councils will be created by 2022 and will replace and expand most of the existing roles of industry training organisations.

New regional skills leadership groups will represent regional interests and will work across education, immigration and welfare systems in each region to identify local skill needs and make sure the system is delivering the right mix of education and training to meet them, the minister says.

Māori will be included as key partners, including through Te Taumata Aronui, a Māori Crown Tertiary Education Group, that will work with education agencies and ministers and cover all aspects of tertiary education. During the next two to three years, the role of supporting workplace learning will shift from industry training organisations to training providers.

Curriculum changes

On top of re-structuring and setting various systems in place, teachers and students are also coping with some major curriculum changes.

Teachers campaigned to make New Zealand’s history a mandatory part of the school curriculum; a call supported by the Government. In September last year Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that a national framework for New Zealand history will be taught in all schools and kura by 2022.

The National Curriculum currently enables schools and kura to decide how New Zealand history is covered, but variation in delivery means too much is left to chance in the teaching and learning of New Zealand history.

“The curriculum changes we are making will reset a national framework so all learners and ākonga are aware of key aspects of New Zealand history and how they have influenced and shaped the nation,” the Prime Minister says.

The changes will be gazetted this year and come into effect in the 2022 curriculum.

WT + ST MARGARET’S COLLEGE

A warm, nurturing college boarding environment

BY B R E N DA W E B B | P HO T O JA N I N E H U T T ON

W

ell-adjusted, independent thinking, responsible with amazing friendships formed. That is how girls leave St Margaret’s College boarding house after their formative education years.

Director of Boarding Nicky Langley says the boarding environment offers a safe and homely environment and a real home away from home for the girls , from rural backgrounds.

“All teenagers need structure and we provide that,” she says. “Breakfast is at a set time, then there is the school day and after school prep time or sport, dinner, some free time and then lights out,” she says. “At weekends there are activities organised as well as sports. There is a lot of structure but it is a very warm and nurturing environment.”

A high ratio of staff to students at St Margaret’s and emphasis on pastoral care, leadership, compassion and an internationally focussed education make sure students have the best start in life.

St Margaret’s was severely damaged in the earthquake with much of the school rebuilt and the boarding houses renovated.

“We have one of the most modern campuses in the city since the earthquake,” says Nicky. “We future-proofed in terms of technology and it is an amazing place to work and study.”

With a roll of 820 students, 130 of those are boarders who come from all over New Zealand, including a large number from the Nelson and Marlborough regions, and further afield.

Some international students come due to a parental connection but most come for St Margaret’s College reputation as one of New Zealand’s leading girls’ schools with its academic, sporting and cultural excellence.

Houses are split into age groups to ensure inclusiveness and while the younger girls live dormitory style, the older girls go into motel-styled units which give them the independence and confidence to work towards life as a tertiary student or a flatting situation.

Even in the dormitories, each girl has her own cubicle to ensure privacy, but each is open at the top so girls can pop their heads over to their neighbour.

Meals are provided in the school café with boarders having choices including a hot meal.

Food is designed by All Blacks nutritionist Katrina Darry who has designed a nutrientdense, healthy menu with food teenagers like eating. Alongside basics like salads, wraps and sushi there are treats like tacos and wedges.

“We need to keep it balanced and interesting,” says Nicky who regularly eats at the café because the food is so good.

St Margaret’s supports and encourages its students to become well-rounded, confident, resilient, lifelong learners, critical thinkers, flexible, responsible, compassionate, collaborative and self-managers.

Above: Students relax together in the senior boarding house

While meals are provided, the girls take responsibility for cleaning their rooms and changing their sheets – another step towards independence. The girls put out their clothes for washing but if they are regular sports participants then they may have to wash their gear themselves – all of which teaches them to be self- sufficient.

“They don’t have the luxury of mum doing these things for them so it teaches them to be independent and encourages time management skills,” says Nicky.

Well-rounded students These days communicating is easier than ever and girls can speak to their parents whenever they choose to. Devices are handed in at night to ensure the girls’ safety and to encourage healthy sleep patterns.

St Margaret’s supports and encourages its students to become well-rounded, confident, resilient, lifelong learners, critical thinkers, flexible, responsible, compassionate, collaborative and self-managers.

All of that applies in the boarding house where the girls are supported and encouraged towards independence so they leave with valuable life skills and lifelong friendships.

St Margaret’s College Open Day is on Monday March 23, 2020 with the SMC Sleepover taking place the night before (Sunday March 22).

Contact www.stmargarets.school.nz

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Māori Language

The revival of te reo In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the numbers of people learning te reo Māori. Brenda Webb finds out why.

V

anessa Anderson speaks fluent Māori which is unusual because she is a fair- haired Pākehā with no Māori blood. It’s a surprise for many to hear her speak Māori fluently, which she does wherever she can, whether it’s greeting a supermarket checkout operator, meeting people socially or to her children.

“I love the language – it is so beautiful and poetic and I’ve always had a passion for it – I love speaking it and helping to make it become normal,” she says.

In recent years te reo Māori has undergone a huge revival.

Lessons are full, newsreaders are embracing it and some schools are making it compulsory.

Most importantly, the general public is starting to embrace the language which is a huge change from 20 or even 10 years ago.

Back then, when television newsreaders dared to use a few words of te reo they received a barrage of complaints from viewers.

These days it’s almost mainstream to include a few words of Māori in everyday conversation and people like Vanessa and her manager Glynn Rogers would like to see more of that happening.

Vanessa works part-time as a Te Ataarangi Kaiako (te reo teacher) in Marlborough, passing on her love of and skill in the language to others in total immersion classes. She attends hui (meetings) with her seniors spoken totally in Māori.

She is one of an increasing number of New Zealanders who are embracing the language and its culture, determined that it survives and becomes regarded as a normal part of our society.

“It’s heart-warming to see so many people from all walks of life wanting to pick the language up,” she says. “For me, the beautiful thing about being on the journey to learning te reo 46

Māori has been taking my whole whānau on a trip of discovery about whakapapa.”

Her interest was ignited at primary school, switching on Te Kārere on television after school to learn Māori vocabulary and comprehension. At teachers’ college she majored in te reo Māori, followed by further study through Te Wānanga O Aotearoa and afterwards took a job at Kohanga Reo to increase her knowledge and confidence.

For Vanessa, learning the language meant learning the culture and understanding the hurt of how the language had been lost through the generations as Māori were colonised and moved from tribal rural communities to the cities. In some institutions Māori were punished for speaking their native tongue and were encouraged to speak English and the language became in danger of being lost forever.

That has certainly changed and today te reo Māori is very prevalent – go to any educational or government website and the greeting will be in Māori with often a phrase or two integral to the organisation’s goals or motives.

It’s common for a telephone to be answered with kia ora rather than hello and in emails it is increasingly popular to sign off ngā mihi (thanks) or noho ora mai (stay well).

Proponents of te reo Māori say that by using the language in this way, along with words that are in common usage and need no translation (ie whakapapa, whānau, tangata whenua, kaimoana, tangi, aroha) it will become far more commonly spoken.

Glynn Rogers, Pouwhakahaere Matua, Te Ataarangi ki te Tauihu o te Waka ā Māui (head of Te Ataarangi for Top of the

“My mother was beaten at school for speaking Māori and then would get a hiding at home for speaking English.”

G LY N N R O G E R S

South), has noticed a huge increase in interest in te reo which she finds gratifying.

A Māori woman, Glynn was denied the chance to learn or speak her native language when growing up. “My mother was beaten at school for speaking Māori and then would get a hiding at home for speaking English,” she says. It wasn’t until her own children were at Kohanga Reo that Glynn began to learn te reo Māori.

Learning Māori (Glynn speaks fluently) and helping others – including Pākehā – to do so has been incredibly rewarding for Glynn.

“It’s been huge for me and the Te Ataarangi method is so different to school – there you are encouraged to be top of the class whereas Te Ataarangi is about working as a whānau and the most important thing is working together in a totally supportive environment.”

The acceptance and embracing of the Māori language makes Glynn’s heart sing.

More mature learners

“In the last couple of hundred years the language was really pushed aside but people are really embracing it now and the fact that we are tangata whenua of this land means why wouldn’t you learn about the culture and language of the people?”

Wayne Hippolite, HOD Māori at Nelson College, is delighted at the increase of interest towards te reo Māori by an older and more educated sector of the community as well as young students. “It’s brilliant – people I have spoken to are genuinely interested in learning,” he says.

Wayne speaks te reo Māori as often as he can and tries to ensure it is normal for his whanau.

There are multiple benefits for students learning the language including proper pronunciation, gaining access to Māori language and culture and being comfortable engaging with that culture.

“For the majority of Māori in mainstream schooling, this is validation that their language, culture and heritage is being valued here in Aotearoa by both Tiriti partners,” he says.

By 2040 it is hoped one million New Zealanders will be able to speak basic te reo Māori – an ambitious goal included in Maihi Karauna, the crown’s Māori language strategy, with more than $30 million pledged over four years for the continued revitalisation of the language.

Beautiful language

My own experience learning basic te reo Māori has been an exciting, challenging, hugely rewarding and steep learning curve. Perhaps most satisfying is knowing that I now (hopefully) pronounce place names correctly – which is vitally important when working as I do with tourists.

My part-time job at Whitehaven cellar door in Marlborough means I constantly chat to tourists and it is really nice to greet and farewell them in Māori ; it is the language they want to hear in our country!

When talking about our grape growing regions I now refer to the Wairau Plain as ‘Why row’ (as in row a boat) not the ‘Why row’ (as in argument) as I used to. Awatere is that – Awatere, not ‘Awatree’ that I’d heard so often since moving here in 1986.

I grew up in the heart of Tainui country in Taupiri in the Waikato and frequently mixed with Māori children and families as a youngster, yet the language was sadly missing from their lives.

At the private boarding school I attended I studied a curriculum that lacked any Māori content at all let alone Māori language.

Like most of my generation I scoffed when Māori pronunciations crept in – this was a girl who grew up going to ‘Wangamata’ not ‘Fangamata’ after all!

However, in recent years the importance of understanding our culture and learning the basics of the language really dawned on me. I’ve spent many years travelling and every country I went to I made the effort to learn the basics of the language so I could communicate in simple conversations – yet here I was in my own country unable to do the same.

Now, while I will only ever be able to use a tiny portion of te reo, my understanding of the culture has improved enormously as has my appreciation for this beautiful language.

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MY HOME

Monochromatic with a dab of mustard

BY BRENDA WEBB | PHOTOGRAPHY DOMINIQUE WHITE

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n 42 years of marriage, Maureen and Bruce Hodgson have built four houses. And their latest achievement, an eye-catching black and white mono-pitched roofed house in Richmond, may not be the last.

“I love the process of building from the design stage right through to the build and deciding on colours and furnishings,” says Maureen. “My husband has designed all our houses. He sits down and makes sketches and then has a draftsman draw up the plans – he’s very good at coming up with ideas. He should have been an architect as he has a real knack for design.”

Maureen says each house has been slightly different with a nod to whatever style was in vogue at the time. Each has been easy to live in but given them the opportunity to refine the next design.

“I guess they are similar but have kept up with trends – every style has just been a little different.”

The current house, constructed by C Moore Building Ltd, was finished just on a year ago and the couple recently completed the landscaping which has been kept simple to emphasise the sleek lines of the house and encourage views of the surrounding landscape.

1. Mustard accents add drama to living areas 2. Large windows provide a feeling of space 3. White walls complement the matt black kitchen cabinetry 4. Maureen’s striking black kitchen 5. Vibrant art adds personality to the house 6. The textured charcoal tile that inspired the black kitchen 7. Dramatic lights accentuate the dark kitchen 8. Black vertical cladding is an exterior feature of the house

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They love the position of the house – opposite the entrance to Saxon Fields – and its proximity to many amenities.

“I guess we will shift to town eventually but we are very much in love with this house and where it is,” says Maureen.

The mono-pitched roof house is clad in black vertical-profile steel with striking white stucco contrast and the double-glazed joinery is black.

Black features strongly in the house particularly in Maureen’s spectacular black kitchen which she loves.

“The kitchen style is similar to my last house but this one is all black. It revolves around a tile I fell in love with. It’s an Italian patterned tile in black and charcoal grey and that provided the inspiration for the theme I worked around.”

Those tiles serve as a splashback which extends behind the cooker and benchtop providing a wonderful texture.

Cabinetry is powder-coated black, the benchtop is textured Caesarstone in black, the sink is black and the stylish tap is black and chrome. Maureen even managed to find a black stainless fridge to fit in with the theme and she loves the overall result.

The black is complemented by white walls and timber-look floors.

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9. The Hodgson house sits snugly on a town section with a rural backdrop 10. Large windows in the bedroom give lovely views over the garden 11. Formal plantings in the garden areas 58

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“I love the process of building from the design stage right through to the build and deciding on colours and furnishings.”

M AU R E E N H O D G S O N

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The kitchen is designed for entertaining with ample bench areas and a central island with stools.

The large living areas are divided by a wall which separates the kitchen and dining areas from the lounge.

The wall houses a television on both sides and stretches ceiling to floor but has openings other sides to give a feeling of space.

Large sliding doors open from both rooms to large timber decks for comfortable indoor/outdoor living.

Walls throughout the house are white with a certain amount of black accents including lights and rugs, and Maureen went for mustard as a contrast in throw rugs and cushions which she finds works “really well”. In the living area a bright red print provides a splash of colour.

Floor coverings are vinyl plank in the large kitchen and dining areas and a medium grey carpet in the lounge and bedroom areas.

Bathrooms are minimalist with sleek white cabinetry with black accents – continuing the theme from living areas. Floors are tiled in a dark charcoal colour and Maureen has picked up on this with charcoal and white towels and charcoal accessories.

The north-facing house is bright and sunny with large windows and sliding doors opening on to the newly developed lawns, decks and garden. A heat pump provides any extra warmth needed in winter.

While Maureen and Bruce love their new home they are not ruling out another build.

“We are very happy with the way the build went and certainly wouldn’t rule out another … but we will enjoy this one in the meantime,” says Maureen.

12. The black and white theme is continued in the bathrooms 13. A comfortable and restful grey and white colour scheme in the bedroom 14. Clever screenings provide shade, shelter and privacy 15. Eclectic touches in the bedroom 16. Clean lines in the bathroom 17. Elegant outdoor living

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MY GARDEN

Time to plant clivias is now

BY ANNABEL SCHULER

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t the end of winter when you are despairing of seeing any colour in the garden, clivias appear like smouldering coals in shady nooks – if you have had the foresight to plant them that is. The trick to ongoing displays of seasonal plants and flowers is to think and plant ahead. While the gloom of October may be far from our minds at present, this winter wonder-plant is in nurseries now.

Clivia flowers glow in red, orange, peach and even cream and are offset by their dark green strappy leaves. It is no wonder they are enjoying a renaissance as an architectural plant. In a garden at Marybank, near Nelson, Lynn Callister has devoted much of the family’s two-third acre property to clivia miniata and she is generous with her knowledge to clivia converts. She began growing clivias in 2003 and has patiently

built up her collection, many from seed.

“But I am well rewarded in early October when my internationally listed clivias are in full flower,” she says.

Clivias, part of the amaryllis plant family, are also called the fire lily or the bush lily in their native South Africa and can be planted here throughout the year.

They will thrive providing their feet are kept dry, they are protected from heavy frosts and they are grown out of direct sun. They are particularly stunning planted in massed groups where the pure, clean colour of the flower contrasts with the dark green leaves.

Clivias are also happy in pots providing their basic needs are catered for and the pot size is increased as the plant grows.

Lynn has planted hers under trees, hugging banks and in raised beds, all of which allow good drainage.

They are slow burners as small plants and can take from four to seven years to flower from seed but once they do you may get two flowerings a year if you are lucky and they get bigger and better. The trick to healthy plants is to feed them with slow release fertiliser and well-rotted sheep manure

Clivias, part of the amaryllis plant family, are also called the fire lily or the bush lily in their native South Africa and can be planted here throughout the year.

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Above: Clivia with seeds

then keep them well mulched. Avoid too much nitrogen or they will grow leaves at the cost of flowers. Be aware clivias are poisonous to animals, especially dogs and cats, and some gardeners wear gloves when working with them.

Seed propagation The mature plants produce heads which can measure 30cm across and if you are a clivia convert like Lynn you can cross-pollinate your own using a gentle finger or a paint brush.

Once the plants have flowered, they produce striking, coloured berries, which also add interest, and open to reveal tiny, pearl-like seeds. Clivias make excellent companions for ferns, hostas and bromeliads.

As clivias are propagated from seed Lynn has added to her collection by bringing in seed in new colours from South Africa, Australia and several North Island growers, including well-known plantsman, Dr Keith Hammett, who has developed several cultivars. ‘Special’ cultivars are much soughtafter and one seed can cost $10 while a green and white specimen sold some years ago for $6000 at auction in South Africa.

Lynn welcomes inquiries from people who want to view her garden and clivia collection in flower, and she can be contacted on 03 545 2322.

WELLBEING

Feeding your gut bugs B Y E M I LY H O P E

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ut health is such a fascinating area of nutrition science. Over recent years, there has been much research published regarding the benefits of having an optimal gut microbiome and its knock-on positive effects on overall wellbeing, digestive health, immunity and mental health.

The gut microbiome describes the balance of bacteria (both beneficial and non-beneficial) that reside there. This balance of bacteria is greatly influenced by the food that we eat.

The two main types of beneficial bacteria that live in our gut that you may have heard of are probiotics and prebiotics. Probiotics are live bacteria mainly found in fermented foods such as yoghurt, kombucha, sauerkraut, miso, kefir and kimchi. Once you eat these foods, the live bacteria are delivered to your gut. But once there, these beneficial probiotics need to be fed! That’s where prebiotics come in. Prebiotics are the non-digestible parts of foods that stimulate the growth of probiotics in the gut and provide the fuel probiotics need to flourish. Prebiotics are found in a wide array of plant foods, for example wholegrains such as quinoa and brown rice, legumes such as lentils, chickpeas and beans and rainbow- coloured fruits and vegetables. To look after your gut health, focusing on eating more plantbased foods is a great place to start along with enjoying as many brightly coloured fruits and vegetables as possible. Taking a seasonal approach to produce is a wonderful way to ensure you enjoy a variety of foods across the year. Eating fruits and vegetables when they are picked at their most nutritious, as well as being more economical to purchase will not only benefit your gut and overall health but also that of the environment.

To summarise …

A healthy gut microbiome is essential for digestive health and overall health and wellbeing.

To support gut health, aim to eat both probiotic- and prebiotic-rich foods

... focusing on eating more plant-based foods is a great place to start along with enjoying as many brightly coloured fruits and vegetables as possible. each day such as yoghurt, sauerkraut, miso and sourdough along with plant-based foods high in fibre such as wholegrains, legumes, fruits and vegetables.

Simply aiming to eat more plantbased foods is a great way to support optimal gut health. You could aim to have one-to-two more plant-based meals or snacks each week as a start.

Some delicious plant-based meal/snacks ideas rich in probiotic and prebiotic bacteria …

• Toasted sourdough topped with basil pesto, sliced avocado and hemp hearts

• Greek yoghurt stirred with blueberries or other seasonal fruit • Salad greens mixed with sliced stone fruit or figs, toasted walnuts, avocado and an olive oil/lemon juice dressing • Roasted sweet potato and capsicum mixed with cooked quinoa, toasted sunflower and pumpkin seeds and fresh parsley. Drizzle over avocado oil and a squeeze of lemon juice.

• Potatoes roasted in miso add a delicious umami flavour as well as being a source of probiotic bacteria. www.hopenutrition.org.nz

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MY KITCHEN

Roasted beetroot with pomegranate molasses Beetroots are currently in plentiful supply and are low in fat as well as being packed full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants regardless of whether they are roasted, blended in soups and smoothies or in salads. Here’s a tasty option.

BY MADAME LU’S KITCHEN

Serves 4 Ingredients 4 medium-sized beetroot, peeled and chopped into bite-sized pieces 2 red onions, chopped into wedges 3tbsp olive oil 1 cup cooked quinoa 1/4 cup pomegranate molasses 1 large handful mint, roughly torn 1/2 cup Greek yoghurt 1/2 cup toasted walnuts Juice of 1 lemon Salt and pepper to taste Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180c and line a tray with baking paper.

2. In a large bowl, toss the beetroot and red onions with a pinch of salt and the olive oil.

3. Once well coated, transfer to the tray and roast

in the oven for 30 minutes or until the beetroot is soft and the onion caramelised. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

4 Once the beetroot and onion are cool, toss

together with the quinoa, torn mint leaves and walnuts.

5. Arrange on a large plate in a thin layer, dollop the Greek yoghurt on the top, then drizzle over the pomegranate molasses and the lemon juice.

6. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with more walnuts and extra mint leaves.

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DINE OUT

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DINE OUT

Great food & a view too

BY TONY PEARSON

Photo: Lisa Duncan

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irst it was Raupō. Then the popular Blenheim eatery became Saveur.

Now, just over a year after new owners arrived, it is back to Raupō again.

As a wise man once said: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

And one thing that certainly seems to have stayed the same is the popularity of this restaurant which was super busy when we visited on a Saturday night during Garden Marlborough – about six weeks after the latest name change.

That may have accounted for the slightly confusing parade of staff – we counted seven – who trotted to and from our table, taking orders and delivering food and drinks. And it definitely would have accounted for the high decibel level as the general hubbub echoed around the cavernous interior.

However, there’s no denying Raupō’s plum location overlooking the Taylor River and if you’re able to snag a table out on the terrace on a warm summer’s evening you’ll enjoy one of the finest dining views in Blenheim.

We began with a modest starter, the Raupō flatbread, which generated positive comments from my companion.

However, despite the magical ingredients of garlic, sundried tomatoes, mustard and Parmesan butter, I found the texture and taste surprisingly bland.

Not so with the fish of the day! A generous portion of pan-fried gurnard, firm and moist and piled high on a bed of fragrant rice, was a real treat. A rich coconut milk-based Kokoda sauce, made with a blend of raw seafood, along with a sprinkling of tiny cassava crisps, added a tropical twist to this delicious dish.

My companion was barely able to finish her large helping of free-range chicken

breast which was slightly overwhelmed by a dense filling of spinach, olives, capers, sundried tomato and feta cheese. The chicken was served in a Napoli sauce and came with potato gratin and a good-sized green salad.

Local wines We were tempted by the day’s dessert special, strawberry and basil ice cream, but decided instead to share baked New York cheesecake. This arrived with a dollop of vanilla ice cream, a scattering of toasted walnuts and a drizzly (maple?) syrup. It probably also comes with a calorie count nudging four figures but is well worth the extra guilt!

Raupō boasts an impressive wine list, the vast majority from local producers whom we supported with a fruity Gibson Bridge pinot gris and a smooth, sweet dessert wine from Forrest.

Among just six mains on the dinner menu, there’s only a salad for vegetarians and nothing specifically for vegans.

However, the restaurant says if customers mention they are vegan when booking,

then something can be prepared using rice, vegetables and salad.

Still, at a time when more and more people are choosing to eat only plantbased food, it might be a shrewd move for Raupō to consider adding more vegetarian and vegan options, perhaps dishes like pasta, tacos or curry, that would also appeal to many other diners.

Raupō is open for brunch and afternoon snacks as well as for dinner.

In addition, the traiteur – a sort of cross between a deli and a bakery – is open from 7.30am until 5pm for coffee along with muffins, cakes, scones and other baked goods, either to eat in or take away.

Raupō Café, Restaurant & Traiteur 6 Symons Street, Blenheim.

Ph: 03 577 8822.Open every day, 7.30am until late. Cost: $127 for one entree, two mains, one dessert, two wines, one beer and two coffees

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WINE

Organic wines now a calling card

BY SOPHIE PREECE

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onsumers are clamouring for organic wines, and the ‘gatekeepers’ of wine lists are listening, says the new chair of Organic Winegrowers New Zealand. Clive Dougall has been singing the praises of organics and biodynamics for 13 years, since he started his no-chemical and low-intervention wine journey at Seresin in Marlborough.

Back then, organic certification barely made the back label and wasn’t considered a selling point, says Dougall. “You would tell people at the end that the wines were organic, or it could get their back up.” But in the past few years, consumers have leveraged their buying power, demanding sustainable products, while also making the link between quality wines and organic and biodynamic production.

Companies like Dog Point and Fromm were organic long before they started marketing themselves as such, dedicated to serving their soil and crafting excellent wines of place, says Dougall, who recently founded his own organic wine label, Deep Down Wines. “Their motivation wasn’t selling more wine on the back of a green story. Their motivation was about better land and better wine.”

Now that care is being rewarded, with doors opening for small and organic wine producers with unique and excellent offerings, he says. He and business partner Peter Lorimer launched Deep Down in spring 2019, and had it on some of the country’s hippest wine lists within weeks. “I have been amazed with people asking ‘are they organic?’

They are either trying to promote organic to even be exclusively organic.”

Deep Down Wines Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 - The grapes for this wine come from Murray vineyard in Fairhall, where silty soils from an ancient river bed are joined by clay particles washed down Above: Chair of Organic Winegrowers New Zealand Clive Dougall 68

from the Southern Valleys. The finer particles bring a more generous texture to the wine, which Dougall describes as “having the volume turned down”.

Don’t expect a bomb of fruit and acidity in this Marlborough sauvignon, but rather a soft and subtle style that’s perfect with food.

Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 The Poplars vineyard sits at the junction of the Brancott and Wairau Valleys, where 30-year-old vines dig deep in clay soils washed off the hills.

The 10/5 pinot clone – unfashionable compared to the modern clones climbing Marlborough’s hills – brings less fruit weight to the wine. That suits Clive, because he wanted this zero sulphur wine to be more savoury, with spicy undertones, and some acidity

Their motivation was about better land and better wine. to keep it lively. He admits it’s “totally weird” to have a 2019 pinot on the shelf, but it’s “energetic on the palate” with just 12.5% alcohol, and has been a hit. This wine is essentially good grapes in a bottle, he says. “When you don’t add or remove anything, it’s really the truest form of wine.”

Marlborough Arneis 2019 - From the stony Tua Marina vineyard on the north of the Wairau River, this wine is powerful, racy and complex. But with just 80 cases produced from 1.2 tonnes of grapes, you’ll be lucky to get your hands on a bottle.

BREWS

Summer brews at the beach – oh yeah!

BY MARK PREECE

F

ebruary is a month of stat holidays and sun in the Top of the South, and Mark Preece decides to make the most of both with a trip to Golden Bay, visiting a few craft beer bars along the way.

What better way to start a summer road trip than with a mid-morning bike ride? A few quick laps of the Condors Bend mountain bike tracks raise the heart rate, and a few quick dips in the Wairau River wash away the dust and fatigue. Then it’s a short trip to the Moa Brew Bar for lunch, care of Sandy’s GMC food truck, and a study of what’s new on tap. While I’ve been enjoying Christmas, Moa’s head brewer David Nicholls and his elves have been busily brewing. The Thirsty Bulldog Summer Ale, with its subtle fruity flavours and ginger spice, is a perfect match for my Stefan chicken burger, dressed with a deliciously spicy jalapeno relish.

Burgers and beer Off in the car and over the hill towards Nelson for the night, before a morning in the surf ski off Tahunanui Beach, then an afternoon at the Codgers mountain bike tracks, biking over the Coppermine Saddle (878m) and taking the short walk to the summit of Mount Dun (1129m).

The views of Nelson Harbour and the Arthur Range are spectacular. Dinner that night is at Nelson’s ‘only dedicated burger joint’ and a winner in Nelson’s 2019 hospitality awards, Burger Culture.

Their choices of burger beer matches are fantastic, with a full range of the locally brewed Hop Federation beers available on tap, along with a selection of Garage Project and Funk Estate in tins. The cans

of Speights Gold appeal to the ex-varsity student in me, but I choose a wellrounded malty beer – Hop Federation’s Red IPA – instead. As promised, it pairs well with the ‘Spice Up Your Life’ beef and jalapenos burger.

Mussels at the inn The next day it’s onwards to our final destination, Golden Bay, where we spend a few days camping and ensure a few visits to the Mussel Inn. There are bowls of their steaming hot, mussel chowder (with fresh mussels, so it’s only available when the boats are working) which are fantastic with their seasonal tap, Secret Squirrel, a 5.5 ABV extra pale ale.

Here are three new brews I discovered on my roadie, two from the Moa Brewing Company:

Thirsty Bulldog Summer Ale, 4.7% ABV. Moa beer tasting ambassador Peter Jenner hails from Britain and rates the all-English hops of Thirsty Bulldog, two of which (Fuggles and East Kent

While I’ve been enjoying Christmas, Moa’s head brewer David Nicholls and his elves have been busily brewing.

Above: Moa beer tasting ambassador Peter Jenner, enjoys a Thirsty Bulldog Summer Ale

Golding) are from near his home in Kent. “I absolutely love English hops.

They balance things out well and you see the mid palate a lot better,” he says from the Moa cellar door on Jacksons Rd. The Bulldog’s fruity English hops are balanced with Kiwi and English Ale malts, making for an easy drinking brew, that’s perfect for a warm summer’s day — or any day really.

Vogel’s Mixed Grain Toasted Ale, 5% ABV. They say: we threw in our brewing expertise and Vogel’s bakers threw in their loaves – literally. Then we toasted our malt. Because Vogel’s is best toasted too. The result? A deliciously balanced, lightly hopped beer – with a bit of chew of course.

Hop Federation’s seasonal at Burger Culture, Stubbies and Jandals Aotearoa Pale Ale, 5% ABV. As described by Ronald B. on Untappd.com, “Oh yeah baby. Tastes like summer at the beach,” and I couldn’t agree more.

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T R AV E L

Amalfi, a feast by foot Sarah La Touche finds unspoilt pleasures in the tourism mecca.

PHOTOGRAPHY DENIS LA TOUCHE

W

aking up in a town on the Mediterranean is sublimely surreal – that first blurry moment of silky light creeping through the window, slipping past half-closed shutters and still curtains, spilling onto the floor.

The sounds are somehow so much more exotic in their newness compared with our own morning melodies. A ropey moped winds painfully up a nearby hill; car tyres rumble over narrow cobbled lanes; morning voices chatter rapid-fire Italian in singsong fashion, bouncing off the slim, colourful buildings lining the narrow street below. Dogs bark, workmen argue … it’s a rich auditory symphony.

Before long the heady scent of fresh coffee and pastries wafts into the room. Now I am truly awake, ready for the exciting day before us. Jetlag banished, gastric juices primed, we are set to explore the self-service espresso machine in the civilised, though minimalist, breakfast room of the Ostello Ave Gratia Plena Minore, a 17thcentury convent for ‘maidens on the brink’ in its previous life.

We are here to walk and eat our way along the length of the exquisitely beautiful Sorrentine Peninsula, plus the Isle of Capri (an optional addition we couldn’t help but include), the adopted home of Roman Emperor Tiberius, and more recently, playground to the rich and famous.

Salerno, gateway to this famous stretch of coast, is a small bustling port town on the Italian Mediterranean about three hours’ drive south-east of Rome. If you head a little further south through the countryside of Campania, after about 30 minutes – give or take a traffic jam or two – you’ll find yourself in the middle of buffalo mozzarella country. A little further south still, the illustrious GreekRoman ruins of Paëstum re-define the word ‘beauty’. Also within easy reach in the opposite direction, and fascinating to explore, are the well-restored, ancient buried cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii.

Above: Clockwise - Homes and villages nestle high above the sea overlooking Positano

… the well-maintained paths deliver spectacular rewards of fairy-tale vistas, sundrenched villages, quiet coves for swimming and affectionate vignettes of local life.

Opposite page : Clockwise – A foodie walking adventure descending from The Footpath of The Gods into Positano; the ‘team’ gathered on the steps of the Duomo in Amalfi on day 1; relics of a bygone era - fountainhead and mosaics in the beautiful town of Ravello 70

A road for the brave This breathtaking stretch of Italian coastline has been a tourism mecca for centuries. These days, the precipitous coastal corniche road, clinging to dramatic limestone cliffs, defies gravity at times.

Choked and almost impassable in the summer months, the only road in and out takes nerves of steel to navigate.

We have chosen the temperate month of May for our foodie walking adventure, avoiding the summer crowds. After a few days exploring Salerno and surrounds that reveal plenty of tasty treasures, like true Italians wired from too much delicious coffee, we head for Amalfi, the largest town on the peninsula, and starting point for our

self-guided walking tour. If you don’t want to drive, there are only three ways to get there: by ferry, bus or local taxi. All are well-priced.

Like all the towns and villages in this region, Amalfi nestles between the ever-expansive turquoise sea and steep, terraced cliffs, with the gorgeous 9th-century cathedral its heartbeat. The spacious, thronging Piazza del Duomo, lined with enticing bars, pasticceria, boutique shops and eateries, is a welcoming respite for a glass of refreshing Prosecco and some serious people-watching.

A special breed of lemons, hanging like jewels on the terraced slopes all along the Costiera di Amalfi, is the prized signature ingredient for the region’s world-famous limoncello, and along with tourism, the lifeblood of the area. The town is also known for its ancient papermaking craft called bambagina.

Up into the Gods Our route would take us puffing and panting up and down the ancient paths, high up into the maquis-covered hills above the towns and busy corniche for the next eight days. The most famous of these pathways is aptly named Sentiero degli Dei, or Footpath of the Gods – not for the faint-hearted. You need a good level of fitness and happy knees for this walk, with plenty of steep ascents and long flights of steps down.

Once either up, or at the water’s edge, the well-maintained paths deliver rewards of fairy-tale vistas, sun-drenched villages, quiet coves for swimming and affectionate vignettes of local life far removed from modern tourism.

Each day’s walking is five to six hours on average, or 7.511km, and while the way-markings can be slightly ‘loose’ in parts, the walking notes and maps provided by our tour company were

There is nothing finer, at the end of a hot and dusty day’s walk, than sinking into a sunlounger in front of that mesmerising Mediterranean Sea, with an Aperol Spritz or icy cold beer in hand. excruciatingly detailed so after one or two wrong turns, we became much more erudite at following our route.

Two nights in each of the comfortable, family-run, three-star hotels meant we could appreciate a more leisurely pace, enjoying the warmth of our hospitable hosts, as well as partaking in some great sightseeing, such as the gardens at Villas of Rufolo and Cimbrone in Ravello.

On Capri we were captivated by the ruins of Tiberius, intrigued by neo-classical Villa Lysis, residence of wayward novelist and poet Baron d’Adelswärd-Fersen, who met an early death by overdosing on cocaine and champagne in his purpose-build opium den; and Villa San Michelle, home to Swedish physician Axel Munthe, longtime lover of Capri and the Swedish Queen Victoria. You can also take the nail-biting funicular railway to the highest point on the island and visit the touristy yet awesome Blue Grotto.

Throughout our travels we were constantly wowed by fabulous food and wines, from the myriad versions of their signature Caprese salad, to lip-smackingly light pizzas cooked expertly in wood-fired ovens; the plethora of local seafood – freshly made octopus salad, antipasti di mare with clams, or fresh line-caught marlin, grilled simply over vinewood coals – to the host of imaginative limoncello-perfumed desserts.

And there is nothing finer, at the end of a hot and dusty day’s walk, than sinking into a sunlounger in front of that mesmerising Mediterranean Sea, with an Aperol Spritz or icy cold beer in hand. A holiday that dreams are made of.

Tips: Several tour companies offer guided and self-guided walking tours of the Amalfi coast. We chose Irish-based One Foot Abroad. Costs can range from NZ$2000-$4000 depending on what you choose: self-guided or guided, the number of days, Capri add-on, level of accommodation, transfers and meals. All are variable.

Upper Moutere residents Sarah La Touche and her photographer husband Denis run gastronomic hosted holidays in France, Italy and Spain. Visit foodiesinfrance.com.

71

ADVENTURE

A cloud-piercing skiing freefall B Y B R E N D A W E B B | P H O T O G R A P H Y P E T E O S WA L D

I

n the early hours of last November 1, while most of us were sleeping, Marlborough free-skier Pete Oswald and his old Bohally school chum Neil Williman set off on the adventure of a lifetime.

Along with mates Jeremy Lyttle from Geraldine and Simon Reeves from Canterbury, they aimed to climb Aoraki/Mt Cook with the intention of skiing down the unforgiving east face – a feat accomplished by just a handful of brave and hardy adventurers.

Such an extraordinary act of ski-mountaineering carries a high risk of failure – as the group were well aware. “You can’t afford to make any mistakes,” says Pete. “Basically, if you fall then you fall to your death. So many things have to line up for a climb/ski descent like this to work, and we suddenly had the weather window we wanted.”

The climb wasn’t straightforward – difficult icy and rocky terrain just off the saddle had the four briefly thinking they might abort. Tenacity prevailed and the team reached the summit just before 9.30am, then skied off the top for a spine-tingling seemingly vertical 1600m descent.

“Yeah it was one of the coolest things I’ve done – I guess it’s the pinnacle,” says Pete. “It was a lifetime dream for all of us.”

Growing up on a remote Marlborough farm under the shadow of Mt Tapuae-O-Uenuku with outdoors-loving parents meant Pete was always going to embrace a busy and active lifestyle.

Above: Pete Oswald and Neil Williman at Aoraki Opposite page : From top to bottom – Jeremy Lyttle, Simon Reeves & Neil Williman at Aoraki; Pete Oswald on the slopes at Aoraki; Neil Williman and Simon Reeves; Simon Reeves & Jeremy Lyttle taking a break at Aoraki 72

A keen and skilled skier from an early age, he became a free-skier professionally after leaving school and has spent his adult life skiing and alpine climbing in New Zealand and internationally.

He and wife Sophie Stevens chase the snow around the world and Pete supports his lifestyle with a tandem profession of media producer, plus carries an impressive list of sponsors including Icebreaker, Torpedo7 and Planks Clothing.

Ready for the big one In 2017 Pete and Sophie climbed Mt Tapuae-O-Uenuku, biking to the base and back from Blenheim first, following in the footsteps of Mt Everest legend Sir Edmund Hillary (WildTomato, June 2018).

Aoraki would inevitably be a target at some stage, although this was strictly for those with plenty of high-alpine skiing and mountaineering experience. His companions were carefully chosen.

“People dynamics are critical – you need a team and you need to select who you go into the mountains with,” says Pete. Between them the four have a wealth of experience. Pete and Jeremy are regular ski/alpine buddies and were the first to ski the south face of a mountain near Queenstown, Mt Aurum.

Ex-Marlborough boy Neil, who now lives in Austria where he combines engineering with professional skiing, comes with impeccable pedigree. His father Brin, who lives and works in Blenheim, climbed Aoraki three times via different routes.

Pete says a ski descent was a long-held ambition and when Neil was home late last year for two weddings (including Pete and Sophie’s), a patch of good weather compelled them to go for it. “You have to be in to win,” he says.

“Very few people have skied off the summit and done the full descent.”

Such climbs are not done without plenty of preparation and planning, although weather is the key factor. “We do alpine trips all the time so we have our kit ready and just tweak what gear we will take,” Pete says. “Most of the planning is around the weather and avalanche risk, and while you can get information remotely, much of it can’t be done until you are standing at the bottom of the face.”

Pete says chatting with other climbers – four other groups were on the mountain at the time – is invaluable, and they also “had a poke around on the face” the day before the climb.

“While you have a bit of an idea of the avalanche risk from avalanche forecasting, weather, wind-loading and temperatures, you don’t know the face stability until you dig in on that particular area and inspect the snow layers,” he says.

Most climbers opt for the Linda Glacier route but this group preferred the east face. “It’s a good-looking face, aesthetically pleasing but technically challenging – very few people have skied off the summit and done the full descent,” says Pete. “Most ski from a bit further down due to the tricky terrain.”

As well as the risk of avalanche, there were crevasses and three different bergschrunds (deep clefts where glacier ice separates from firm ice above) to negotiate. Only when these were all determined to be traversable did the group commit to the adventure.

Photo: Neil Williman

P E T E O S WA L D

Roping together shunned The climb was challenging in itself, with the group wearing hightech alpine touring ski-boots fitted with crampons, and carrying skis on their backs plus ice axes tethered to their harnesses. They didn’t rope together due to the risk of one faller taking the rest of the group with him.

The ascent was partly in “super-deep” snow and with temperatures in the -20deg range the four were confident the snow would stay cold, soft and stable. Such conditions make it less dangerous than sheet-ice conditions, in which “you could slide to your death,” says Pete pragmatically.

Just before the saddle the group encountered “super-steep, rocky and icy conditions on an extremely exposed face”, and they weren’t sure if they would be able to pass. They were delighted when they did. “It meant the ski down was a goer as we’d checked out the route on the way up.”

Once they’d reached the summit there was no time to celebrate as the wind gusts were so strong. Pete had to lie flat and dig in his ice axes to stop being blown off. “It wasn’t a place to linger.”

Jeremy was the first to ski off, mainly because he is a qualified guide and his knowledge of avalanche stability was the best in the group. Each section was skied one by one to a place where the group could regroup safely.

Pete says the descent down the east face was done in four to five sections of a few minutes each. While the climb up took nearly nine hours, the ski down to the Grand Plateau glacier below took just 15 minutes.

The friends spent two more nights at Plateau Hut before finishing their descent down over steep, exposed rock scree to the Tasman Valley floor. Pete says that terrain was almost as difficult to negotiate as the deep snow further up.

Lifetime mission achieved but you can guarantee more adventures are on the horizon.

73

SPORTS

Okay to croquet

BY PHIL BARNES

C

roquet in Nelson and Marlborough is enjoying a surge in popularity. At a time when many other sports are struggling with declining numbers, croquet is enjoying an impressive rise in membership.

This has combined with increasing numbers of national and international tournaments being held in the region, culminating in the Nelson Hinemoa Club hosting the World Golf Croquet Team Championships in January, with eight countries taking part in the 13-day tournament.

Nelson Hinemoa club member Annie Henry, who was national president of Croquet New Zealand from 2015 to 2019, says there has been a 16 percent growth in membership in the last four years.

There are currently 200 members playing the sport from the three clubs in the Nelson/Tasman region with membership in the Riwaka Club showing particularly impressive growth from eight members to 30.

It is a similar story in Marlborough.

Former Blenheim club captain Moira Pool says the Blenheim club has experienced 10 to 12 percent growth over the last year and membership in the Kaikoura club has also picked up considerably.

Annie Henry says while the majority of players are retirement age, the sport is attracting increasing numbers of young players.

For example, the average age of the four-person New Zealand team selected for January’s world championships was just 23.

However, she emphasises many of the older generation are still top-notch players.

Publicity officer Jackie Tye says the growth in younger players is due to people such as Annie and Richmond-based national sports development officer Greg Bryant.

“We have a youth development programme which is ‘alive and kicking’ and this is phenomenal for the game.”

Jackie says Greg has created junior youth, youth and under-21 development squads with special coaching days and this has really created opportunities for children.

The association has also set up Give Croquet a Go and Croquet in Schools programmes.

Above: Three-time New Zealand women’s golf croquet champion Ellie Ross 74

She says other countries, such as her native England, have nothing like it, “whereas New Zealand now has kids coming through waiting to play the sport.”

The Nelson Hinemoa Club currently has four school-aged members, Ellie Ross, Michael Lauer, Finlay Webb and Vienna van Heeswyck, all of whom play to a high standard.

Ellie, 17, has shown astounding progress having rapidly risen to the top of the sport.

In November, she won the New Zealand women’s golf croquet championships for the third year in a row.

So what attracts Ellie and other young people to take up croquet when there are so many other sports to choose from?

Firstly, she likes the strategic side of the sport.

“You have to think what you want to do three or four shots ahead of the play. And you also have to consider your opponent’s options and what they might do.”

Secondly, she says she has been fortunate to travel a lot while competing and this has enabled her to see many parts of the country she would not otherwise have seen.

Her success resulted in trips to two overseas tournaments last year.

In April she went to Melbourne to represent New Zealand in a team of four men and four women in the Trans-Tasman tournament in which New Zealand beat Australia by two tests to one.

Then in July she travelled to England as one of only two women selected in the 10-person New Zealand team taking part in the under-21 world golf croquet championships.

Ellie, 17, has shown astounding progress having rapidly risen to the top of the sport.

Incredibly, she finished top woman and sixth overall in the tournament.

She generally attends two coaching sessions a week as well as playing club days on Sundays but dedicates further time practising at home where she puts hoops up on the lawn.

Two forms Croquet is an unusual sport in that while there are separate tournaments for men and women, in many championships men and women compete together as equals.

This is something that doesn’t concern Ellie as she says men and women play differently.

“Women are often more tactical and are steadier whereas men like to whack the ball harder.”

There are two forms of the game. The classic form of the game is association croquet, which involves complex tactics and often long sequences of shots rather like snooker. Golf croquet is a simpler form of the game where players take just one shot per turn and the first to seven points wins.

Most association croquet players play both forms of the sport whereas about 40 percent of golf croquet players play only golf croquet.

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Beautiful Homes and Creative Spaces 75

MOTORING

New Kia a bolter on pricing

BY GEOFF MOFFETT

K

ia has made an assertive entry into the small SUV category with pricing aimed at pulling the rug from under its rivals’ wheels. This booming sector was a must-do for the Korean carmaker. The resulting Seltos sits alongside the popular, mid-size Sportage.

Every manufacturer now wants a compact SUV and no wonder. The sector’s sales have grown from about 11 percent of the total New Zealand market two years ago to 16 percent this year.

At $26,990 (its introductory special was a thousand dollars less), the Seltos’ price tag will have punters paying immediate attention – and that’s the whole idea. New compact SUVs typically start at around $30k.

So how does Seltos stack up? A 2-litre petrol engine makes it a rarity in the compact division, where most tend to have smaller-capacity engines.

The 110kw power-plant gives the Kia quiet, unstressed motoring, with only a little wind rustle around the A pillars to intrude on a smooth ride.

The base level LX, though, is a fairly basic package and you might want to spend more to get more features. The next model up is a big jump – another $9k – but the LX Plus gives you blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic monitoring, radar cruise control, satnav and front and rear park sensors (the LX only gets rear sensors).

The Seltos price tag will have punters paying immediate attention ...

76

If you want the best, another $20k buys the top-of-the-range Seltos LTD AWD. This is a different beast with the latest technology, a lively 1.6-litre turbo engine (the same that powers the Kia Cerato GT), a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive. At $46,990 it’s at the very top of compact-SUV pricing, which shows that Kia isn’t shy about placing itself among the premium end of the market.

While the pricing seems to present a problem – at the mid-range price you could buy a Sportage – the word from dealers is that the new Seltos is finding its own market niche rather than cannibalising sales from its larger brother.

co-president Peter Schreyer, who came to Kia from the German carmaker more than a decade ago.

The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and the cabin has good headroom, with decent legroom in the back. Kia believes the roominess of the Seltos, and particularly its length relative to most rivals, gives it a distinct advantage.

Kia has been steadily building a reputation for making good-quality cars, giving it a distinct branding apart from its Hyundai sibling, and the Seltos is only adding to that growing story.

Tech spec

Sweet combo on the road While lacking a few details you might expect in compact SUVs, such as keyless entry and push-button start, the new Kia, even at entry level, is right up with the play once you hit the road. That 2-litre engine matched to the 8-speed, continuously variable gearbox is a sweet combo, offering plenty of power and slurry-smooth changes.

I was also impressed with the quiet ride of the Seltos, with only that wind whisper around the pillars to ruffle the interior peace. The transmission is a delight and you have manual mode as well if you feel like getting sporty – and in sports mode the Seltos is a peak performer.

The dash is simply laid out and the cockpit similarly unfussy in the Kia fashion, which is a nod to the Audi influence from chief designer and now

Price:

LX $26,990, LX Plus $37,990, LTD $42,999, LTD AWD $46,990

Power:

LX, LX +, LTD 2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol 110kw @ 6200rpm, 180Nm @ 4500rpm; 1.6 turbo, 139kw @ 6000rpm, 265Nm @ 1500-4500rpm

Fuel:

2-litre petrol, 6.8l/100km; 1.6-litre turbo, 7.6l/100km

Carbon emissions:

2-litre petrol, 175g/km; 1.6 turbo, 157g/km

Vehicle courtesy of Nelson Kia

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BOOKS

Check these out ...

COMPILED BY RENÉE LANG

Grown Ups Marian Keyes Available now, $37 Penguin Random House

There are yarns in them-thar hills

T

he perfect summer read, this new title from the queen of chick lit features a family that, on the surface, appears to have it all. But things are not always as they seem and as various secrets become public knowledge, it could be that all concerned need to pull themselves together and finally grow up.

BY RENÉE LANG

W

ith 25 books spanning a period of close to 45 years Tony Orman is definitely not ready to hang up his writing hat just yet. His latest book follows the success of Down a Country Road: Stories from New Zealand’s Back Country which was published in 2018. Down a Country Road II follows, unsurprisingly, the same theme but this time focuses more on the North Island.

His first book, Trout with Nymph, was published in 1974 and has subsequently reprinted three times. It was soon followed by a number of other fishing, deerstalking and conservation titles.

Back then, he wasn’t yet officially writing for a living as he’d started his working life as a land surveyor-town planner and later as a secondary school teacher in the Top of the South. “But using that book as my credentials, I applied for a job with the New Zealand Tourist and Publicity Department in Wellington.”

His next job, as the editor of Straight Furrow, Federated Farmers’ newspaper, was even more focused on the written word. Meanwhile, his love of the outdoors resulted in another tranche of books that saw him cover not just fishing, but his other much-loved hobby of hunting.

However, there was still more change in the wind and when he was offered the position of farm editor with the Marlborough Express, he jumped at it. This time he stayed put in the job, enjoying his role right up until he retired some years ago.

Things were then quiet for a while on the publishing front for Tony. “I had a bit of a spell from book writing – there were a few years when I didn’t do much writing because I wanted to get up in the hills or out on the river or even down the Sounds sea fishing.”

Then came a call from the Auckland publishing company which had published A Hunting Life back in 2011, asking if he might be interested in submitting his ideas for a new outdoorsrelated book. As it happened, Tony still had on file a series of rural stories that he’d collected from his days at the Marlborough Express. “Back then I used to come across some extremely interesting people, some of them with very strong connections to the high country.” For various reasons Tony had never taken these stories any further but the Auckland publisher saw merit in the collection and a few months later, in mid 2018, Down a Country Road hit the bookshops. And should history repeat itself, as it has a habit of doing, this second collection will be just as popular.

Above: Author Tony Orman 78

Global Kitchen Lindy David Available now, $49.99, New Holland Publishers

H

eading north this summer? You might want to check out this celebration of New Zealand’s multicultural cuisine which showcases an impressive range of recipes from six North Island coastal restaurants. Owned by London restaurateur Lloyd Rooney and New Zealand farmer and business partner Mike Fraser, the actual restaurants can be found in Waipu, The Quay and No 8 in Whangarei’s Town Basin, The Dune in Mangawhai and Fire and No 8 in Mt Maunganui.

Heroics & Heartbreak Jamie Wall Available now, $36.99 Allen & Unwin

O

ne for the blokes, this is the story of the All Blacks campaign for the 2019 Rugby World Cup that should have provided a fitting end to the careers of Steve Hansen and Kieran Read, but in reality ended in crushing failure. Covering Super Rugby and the Six Nations, the test season in New Zealand and Rugby Championship fixtures, followed by the All Blacks’ games, trainings, press conferences and dramas throughout the World Cup, freelance sportswriter Jamie Wall was there every step of the way.

IN THE GALLERY

February’s top creative picks Indulge your creative wants this month with one of the amazing offerings from our talented local artisans. Here’s a selection from our gallery must-haves guaranteed to add a wow factor.

1

2

3 1. Tony Furion for Jens Hansen, Folded Earrings, sterling silver studs or hooks, www.jenshansen.co.nz, $349 2. Roz Speirs, Luscious Sunburst, fused glass, Wall to Wall Art, 112 Bridge St, Nelson, 027 500 5528, www.clarityglass.co.nz, $495 3. Glen Waters, Whisper of the East, ceramic, 400 x 170mm, The Gallery Havelock, 60 Main Road, Havelock, 03 574 2821, www.facebook. com/TheGalleryHavelock, $750 4. Peter Geen, Twilight - Pohara Beach 2019, acrylic on canvas, 1000 x 550mm, EarthSea Gallery, Clifton, Takaka, 03 525 7007, www.earthseagallery.com 5. Marilyn Andrews, 3178 The Cut and Boardwalk, acrylic on paper on canvas, 600 x 300mm, Marilyn Andrews Gallery, Nelson, 03 548 9400, www.marilynandrewsart.co.nz, $900

4

5

79

MUSIC

Out of the blue

BY EDDIE ALLNUTT

“Normally I’m not an outfront person but yet I can sing in front of any amount of people. It’s like I disappear, I just sing, I’m into it.”

BRIAN SHONE

80

Photo: Nick Widley

W

hen I first heard the vocals of Sugar Mountain resonating around the gazebos of Montgomery Square, some of my body parts must have resembled a plucked bird. Moving closer, cutting through the bazaar foliage, not unlike a certain nature documentarian, I came across Brian Shone, a busker whose garb wouldn’t have been out of place in Seattle in the 1990s. Armed with a Taylor 710, a capo and a blues harp and seeing the morning’s comings and goings through plum-tinted teashades, this muso was in the groove and – like the other street performers – giving the CBD a needed dynamic, so I willingly dipped into my pockets to empty them of whatever nickel and copper I had.

Born and bred in Auckland, Brian, who’s in his 60s, has been in the Nelson region for the last three years and tells me that he enjoys the culture, climate and community here.

Brian’s old man was Phil Shone whose voice you might also be familiar with. You certainly would be if you were tuned into 1ZB in 1949 and heard the breakfast show host say that a mile-wide wasp swarm was headed towards Auckland and to wear your socks over your trousers! This ruse was a game-changer for NZ radio.

Brian tells me the story of how it all started. “When I was little I suppose. My mum had a ukulele and she was a bit of a musician. She also had a piano, and I used to play it a bit and had a few lessons – not many. I mucked about on her ukulele and then I bought a cheap guitar when I was about 12 – I just couldn’t leave them alone!

A few years later when I was about 15, I hear this plaintive voice; it’s Neil Young, oh that’s good I thought. At that time I was in a band at school and we were playing a lot of that music – The Band, Bob Dylan, that’s my era, Joni Mitchell. James Taylor I love, I play quite a lot of James Taylor – they just blew me away those guys.”

Busking is the best When talking to him you get the feeling he doesn’t like being the centre of attention.

“Normally I’m not an out-front person but yet I can sing in front of any amount of people. It’s like I disappear, I just sing, I’m into it.” And although he’s into it, he enjoys when people approach him for a yarn –after the song is finished, that is. “I like busking best of all. It’s a bit raw and vulnerable and you connect with people through music. I find here, when you do put yourself out there, ‘on the street’ as it were, you’re open to everything, but 99 percent of the people are really cool. I notice the cool parents let their kids stop and they listen. Others drag them along. A few people give me abuse. You just got to suck it up. As Billy Connolly said, ‘If you don’t like me, just walk away’.”

With people carrying less cash and more plastic, I ask Brian about the fiscal side of busking. He answers that although secondary to him, it’s fickle. “You can’t read it. You can have a great day and may not get much and another day, do all right.” Due to request, he sells his CDs while strumming away, which also gives exposure to different opportunities.

Above: Brian Shone

He tells me several anecdotes but the two that stick in my mind are how he once had to sell his favourite guitar to keep up with a mortgage repayment, and how he would listen to and learn songs the old school way. “I had a little Bakelite player with clip-on speakers and actually some of my records were so munted I had to put a penny on the stylus to weigh it down, so it would plough through the scratches.”

As for a little trivia, Neil Young once said about his song Sugar Mountain, “At first I wrote 126 verses to it. Now, you can imagine that I had a lot of trouble figuring out what four verses to use...”

Similar to the Godfather of Grunge, Brian is an earthy character. He’s been involved in horticulture for most of his life and has a love of planting, propagating and just being around native trees and grasses. With dirt still under his nails and hardened fingertips, he’s not ready to hang his tools up yet. “I don’t like the word retired, it’s a funny word. You’re not retired until you’re dead.”

It’s better to burn out than fade away.

FILM

Vexing but beautiful

BY EDDIE ALLNUTT

A Hidden Life Biography, Drama, Romance Written and directed by Terrence Malick Cinematography by Jörg Widmer Starring August Diehl, Valerie Pachner, Bruno Ganz, Maria Simon 2h 54min

Selling homes in your

I

t was compulsory for Wehrmacht soldiers to swear the Hilter Oath. For those that didn’t, the consequences were often as nightmarish as World War II itself and included the death penalty. However, for a minority, conscientious objecting was a better alternative than selling their soul to the Antichrist.

Franz Jägerstätter (August Diehl) was one of those objectors and this movie is inspired by the events of his life.

Jägerstätter was born in 1907 in the small Austrian village of Sankt Radegund.

Director Terrence Malick who’s renowned for his debut neonoir crime spree Badlands (1973) which starred Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek, along with poetic dramas such as Tree of Life (2011), has created yet another masterwork in A Hidden Life.

Be warned, at an epic three hours, some parts do feel as stubborn as the main protagonist and may leave you wondering if at least 30 minutes could have been cut in the middle stages. Maybe Malick deliberately wants us to feel a little unease in our seats.

The first hour would have to rank as one of the best hours I’ve spent in the cinema in recent times. Malick develops the perfect family scenario of mum and dad who are smitten with each other and the ‘kiddie card’ of three little girls who are as sweet and crumbly as Grandma Gretchen’s apfelstrudel. It’s bucolic – living in a rustic wooden cabin, surrounded by lush meadows near the craggy Austrian Alps. The Jägerstätter’s thrash wheat, sing and dance, play blind man’s bluff – but wait, what’s that drone in the distance to disrupt the serenity and to know that turmoil is inevitable.

The movie is authentic from the cardigans to the reel-to-reel propaganda archive footage of the Third Reich. However, I have a gripe. Malick employs a German-speaking cast who actually speak English on set or even worse, a kitsch mishmash of both.

Subtitles would have been better.

Malick has worked a lot with cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki over the years but for this one, it’s Jörg Widmer. Widmer hasn’t disappointed and kept up the trademark landscape scenes when the natural lighting is at its most magnificent to parallel the movie’s moods and an ending that offers almost surrealist imagery.

August Diehl is part perfect. He’s got the blue eyes and stoic emotions of an Austrian farmer who sticks to his beliefs amidst the pressure of the village’s ostracizing bullies such as the village mayor who slurs words about fighting for the Motherland after two steins of Weizenbier. Alongside this, there’s Jägerstätter’s inner battle with God. Ironically, you might remember Diehl as SS-Sturmbannführer Hellstrom in Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds (2009).

Valerie Pachner plays Fani the wife. You can feel her love, faithfulness and support for her hubby but also her frustration and anger.

Franz Jägerstätter lives on today as a hero of moral courage.

027 528 2746 | 03 545 8350 kat@kcandco.nz Licensed Salesperson REAA (2008)

81

EVENTS

Regular Markets

Nelson Tasman Saturday 8

Every Saturday morning

Tasman Asian Night Food Fair

The Nelson Market 8am to 1pm

Celebrate cultural diversity through a fantastic evening of performances and delicious ethnic foods. Enjoy this fun family-friendly event that celebrates our local cultures.

(In case of rain, event will be postponed to Saturday 15.)

4pm to 9pm.

MONTGOMERY SQUARE

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

Monty’s Market 8am to 1pm

WASHBOURN GARDENS, RICHMOND

FEBRUARY Saturday 1 to Sunday 19 April Our Moon: Then, Now & Beyond Our Moon is a Nelson Provincial Museum major exhibition. Lunar flow yoga, moon soundscapes, collective singing, torch-lit storytelling, silent reading and an array of musical events, workshops and talks are waiting to be explored.

THE NELSON PROVINCIAL MUSEUM, PUPURI TAONGA O TE TAI AO

Wednesday 5 Flamenco guitarist Paul Bosauder Paul is back, accompanied by a singer, percussionist and an outstanding flamenco dancer.

Internationally renowned, he has fine-tuned his craft over the past 10 years living, working and creating with Spain’s elite flamenco artists.

8.30pm.

NELSON MUSICAL THEATRE

MONTGOMERY SQUARE

skills across the banjo, fiddle, piano, harmonica, guitar and the Cajun accordion, effortlessly transporting audiences to a time long ago. 7pm.

THEATRE ROYAL, NELSON

Saturday 15 Nelson Opera in the Park Nelson Opera in the Park returns with top New Zealand opera and contemporary singers alongside our national orchestra, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Bring a picnic and soak up the atmosphere for this wonderful night of music.

TRAFALGAR PARK, NELSON

Sunday 16 Nelson Wine & Food Festival 2020 The Nelson Wine & Food Festival is all about local. Live entertainment from popular local bands and a promotion of rising solo artists. Get the dancing shoes on or just chill out and watch. 11am to 5pm.

A&P SHOWGROUNDS, RICHMOND

Saturday 8 Good Peoples 2020 Nelson’s newest mini festival featuring The Black Seeds, Laughton Kora & Friends, Sunshine Soundsystem, Rabbit Hole, Distortion. Top local beer, wine, cider, food and more! 3pm to 10pm.

RUTHERFORD PARK, NELSON

Monday 10 Blind Boy Paxton American blues extraordinaire Blind Boy Paxton’s live shows showcase his unparalleled 82

Saturday 22 Cable Bay Enduro Racers from all over New Zealand and a few well-known names from overseas will be battling it out during a one-day multi-stage enduro race. Entries are open to all, but participants need to be able to comfortably ride grade 4-5 trails.

CABLE BAY ADVENTURE PARK, NELSON

Sunday 16 Riverside Music Festival 2020 – ‘Our Planet, Our Future’ Great bands and entertainment, art and crafts, children’s zone, workshops, circus, games, waterslide and of course healthy and delicious food and drink. 10am to 11.30pm.

RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY & CULTURAL CENTRE, LOWER MOUTERE

Tuesday 18 Concerti Grossi Baroque music concert performed

by Southern Baroque Ensemble, professional period-instrument specialists from New Zealand and abroad featuring world renowned harpsichord player, Edita Keglerova from the Czech Republic. 7:45pm.

NELSON CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL, NELSON

Thursday 20 NCMA Lunchtime Concerts In term one, NCMA Artist in Residence Michael Tsalka (concert pianist and early keyboard

Every Wednesday Nelson Farmers’ Market 8.30am to 1.30pm KIRBY LANE

Every Thursday Isel Market 4.30pm till dark ISEL HOUSE AND PARK, STOKE

performer) will perform two solo recitals. Concerts will also feature talented local musicians.

See NCMA for details. 1pm every Thursday.

NELSON CENTRE OF MUSICAL ARTS, NELSON

Sunday 1 to Monday 2 March Royal New Zealand Ballet – Tutus on Tour The Royal New Zealand Ballet is delighted to expand the company’s much-loved regional touring programme in 2020, featuring works tailor-made by trail blazing choreographers. A family programme for all ages. 6.30pm.

THEATRE ROYAL, NELSON

EVENTS

Regular Markets

Marlborough

Every Saturday Artisan Market 9am to 2pm

Saturday 8 Marlborough Wine and Food Festival 2020

QUAYS, BLENHEIM

New Zealand’s original and longest-running wine festival. Sample a unique selection of world-class wines, enjoy delicious local cuisine and dance to your heart’s content with music from some of New Zealand’s top bands. 10:30am to 6pm.

Every Sunday Marlborough Farmers’ Market 9am to 12pm The Sunday Marlborough Farmers’ Market is based on supporting local, fresh and seasonal produce and products. Everything has been picked, grown, farmed, fished, produced and made by the people selling it at the market.

BRANCOTT ESTATE, BLENHEIM

A&P SHOWGROUNDS

FEBRUARY Friday 7 Pre-Marlborough Wine & Food Festival Soiree Celebrate the start of festival weekend at Brancott Estate’s exclusive dinner soiree, with a stunning four-course land and sea themed degustation dinner.

6:30pm to 10pm.

BRANCOTT ESTATE CELLAR DOOR & RESTAURANT, BLENHEIM

Friday 7

Buses depart Blenheim at 4.30pm.

MARLBOROUGH TOUR COMPANY, PICTON WATERFRONT

a way to indulge yourself with a cultural night of fine French ‘Seventh Art’. 7pm – Pre-movie aperitif, 8:45pm – Film screening.

to the flag competition and Rarangi Surf Lifesavers will be running their fundraising barbeque. 10.30am to 2pm.

Sunday 9

CLOS HENRI VINEYARD, 639 STATE HIGHWAY 63

WHITE’S BAY, PORT UNDERWOOD RD, RARANGI

Pollard Park Summer Concert 2020 Summertime fun for the whole family, complete with live music, food stalls and refreshments and plenty to keep the kids entertained! Pack a picnic blanket and settle in for a summer evening out in the park. 5pm to 8pm.

POLLARD PARK, BLENHEIM

Twilight Cruise Marlborough Sounds

Friday 14

Experience a wonderful Marlborough Sounds evening cruise on MV Odyssea into the Sounds with fine wine, delicious cuisine and stunning scenery.

Started on the occasion of Valentine’s Day, Les Nuits Romantiques (‘The Romantic Nights’) is an outdoor screening of an iconic French movie and

Nuits Romantiques

Saturday 29 Dog Point Classic Kiwi Picnic A fun, relaxing day set amongst the vines and olives trees. Fresh seafood, premium meats, seasonal salads, homemade desserts and organically grown produce. A celebration of everything that makes the Kiwi style of picnic unique and special. 12pm to 5pm.

DOG POINT VINEYARD, RENWICK

Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 South Island Show Jumping Championships Some of the best show jumpers in the country will compete and they are sure to showcase some thrilling jumping. A great day out for all. 8am.

MARLBOROUGH EQUESTRIAN PARK, BLENHEIM

Saturday 22 Picton Summer Concert 2020 Live music, food stalls and refreshments and children’s entertainment. Pack a picnic and enjoy a summer evening out in the park. 2pm to 4pm.

LONDON QUAY, PICTON FORESHORE

Sunday 16

Tuesday 25 & Wednesday 26

More FM Beach Day

The Schizophonics

Join More FM for a fun family day out with tons of prizes up for grabs. Sandcastle competition, beach dig, closest

In May, The Schizophonics blew minds everywhere on their first visit to NZ and Australia. They combine the swagger of James Brown meeting the Stooges, Hendrix and MC5’s sonic attack in their hooky garage pop.

From 8pm.

THE MUSSEL INN, TAKAKA, TUES THE PLANT, BLENHEIM, WEDS

Wednesday 4 Royal New Zealand Ballet – Tutus on Tour A family programme for all ages, the dancers of the RNZB perform some of their favourites works. 6:30pm.

ASB THEATRE MARLBOROUGH, BLENHEIM

83

DIRECTORY

plumbing heating solar MARLBOROUGH

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 All aspects of plumbing  Underfloor heating  Repairs & maintenance  Heat pump hot water Underfloor heating aspects of plumbing AllRepairs New house plumbing  Solar Heat pump hot water & maintenance Tel: 03 577 9278 Solar New house plumbing Diesel boilers& repairs  Diesel boilers waterwater cylinder installs & repairs Fax: 03 577 9276 Hot Hot cylinder installs Gas Bathroom and kitchen renovations Mob: 027 218 2329 RELIABLE, EFFICIENT FRIENDLY renovations  Gas  Email: Bathroom &&kitchen plumbingandheating@xtra.co.nz EMERGENCY OUT OF HOURS SERVICE

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027 296 8345 nelsonbaysholidayhomes.co.nz

Mobile Bra Boutique We come to you!

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Book now by calling 027 485 3991 or find us on facebook at @BrasAndBriefsExpert Sizes 8A – 24G

Visit our cellar door!

Enjoy a glass of wine and local eats as you gaze at the majestic hills that give us our sense of place.

Open seven days, 10am-4.30pm Closed on public holidays and weekends from June to October

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85

M Y E D U C AT I O N

Studying creative writing makes for a cool change Olivia Buys was working as an accountant when she decided to pursue her passion for creative writing at NMIT. She talks to Alana Bozoky.

PHOTO BY DOMINIQUE WHITE

What interests you about creative writing?

I’ve always loved writing but never really gave myself the opportunity to explore it further. The programme definitely wasn’t the next step in my accounting career. But I decided to go for it, and it has been one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.

What aspect of the programme did you enjoy the most?

I found all the courses in the programme really interesting. I didn’t know there were so many genres in writing. Poetry was probably my favourite, and I didn’t really want to take the scriptwriting but it also ended up being one of my favourites.

The programme covered so many different types of writing styles but you’re given the opportunity to find what ‘lights you up’ and you can continue to develop that style. It’s amazing what you end up writing when you’re encouraged to free-write and to tap into your subconscious mind.

How did you juggle study and working part-time?

The online learning is really cool.

I loved the balance of learning between the workshops and the online learning because you can work at your own pace.

What were the tutors like on the programme?

Cliff and Kerry were awesome! They both have a great depth of knowledge and different skill sets and teaching styles – so as a student, it was a fantastic combination to learn from.

You’ve studied before at university; what was the difference between studying at a university compared with NMIT? There was a huge difference from studying at university; I felt the tutors were a lot more hands-on at NMIT. There was still

theory, but it felt a lot more practical.

We did a radio show and wrote for various local publications including WildTomato. The workshops were a great place to learn from the tutors and other students, as well as get some of your creative juices flowing!

Now that you’ve completed your diploma, what are your plans?

My dream is to write a manuscript of poetry, and I’d like to create a blog too, as well as start a few other creative projects I have bubbling away in my mind.