WildTomato September 2020 by WildTomato

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

ISSUE 168 / SEPTEMBER 2020 / $8.95

Your

Spring

Issue

Arts Festival Preview Team Mako Garden Marlborough NZIA Local Winners Te Koi Chef Behemoth Brews Destination Christchurch Wine Judging

STUNNING NEW HOMES FOR SALE Richmond, Lot 1, Ngati Rarua Street $879,000

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Nelson Tasman and Marlborough’s magazine

Features Issue 168 / September 2020

26 Nelson Arts Festival Kerry Sunderland talks to new Nelson Arts Festival director Padma Naidu and outlines what’s in store this year

32 NZIA 2020 winners The judges have spoken and Sadie Hooper outlines some of the winning building projects

50 Team Mako It’s FinzUp time again for the Tasman Mako. Geoff Moffett previews the season

INTERVIEWS

12 My Big Idea When cancer survivor Sara Cohen needed decent active sun wear, she set to and designed her own. She explains why and how

20 Local Connection Three Marlburians received the Queen’s Service Medal in the last rounds of Queen’s Birthday Honours. Frank Nelson caught up with them

24 Event Showcase The annual Garden Marlborough 2020 programme was launched last month. Brenda Webb investigates what’s in this November’s programme 4

Columns Issue 168 / September 2020

FASHION

61 The art of fashion Stylist Amy McLeod and photographer Aimee Jules combine fashion with art in this month’s shoot

LIFE

70 Wellbeing Marlborough-based nutritionist Emily Hope talks about the importance of catching a few of the sun’s rays

71 My Garden Having a good garden means doing your homework, writes Brenda Webb

72 Dine Out Awards WildTomato is running its annual Dine Out Awards again this year with a new sponsor and new categories. Editor Lynda Papesch explains

74 My Kitchen Salt and vinegar potatoes with caramelised onion cream make a tasty winter salad from Madame Lu’s Kitchen

75 Creative Chef Denise Irvine talks with Te Koi The Lodge chef Ali Metcalfe who reads recipes for inspiration and pleasure

76 Wine Wine judges headed to Marlborough last month to taste the wares. Lynda Papesch reports

77 Brews Behemoth is a mighty brew, writes reviewer Mark Preece

82 Sports

80 Destination Christchurch Now’s a great time to check out the changes in Christchurch, says Ivy Lynden 6

Renée Lang catches up with Nelson-based author Chris Stuart about her first crime novel and checks out some of the latest publications

84 Sports club profile Phil Thompson tells us more about the popularity of football and FC Nelson

93 Music Fusion and fermentation exist under one roof at a Blenheim’s music venue. Eddie Allnutt interviews founder and musician Matt Hellriegel about The Plant

85 Sports photo essay Photographer Alex Mahrla captures the action on the football field

86 Motoring Subaru’s new e-Boxer Hybrid is true to the Forester formula of a roomy, high-riding, practical 4WD with off-road capability, says reviewer Geoff Moffett

REGULARS CULTURE

ACTIVE

92 Books

The 5km Blenheim parkrun, a free weekly family-friendly community event, is back in action, reports Phil Barnes

90 Art This month sees the first exhibitions and presentations from The Refinery Artspace’s temporary Hardy St location. John Du Four tells us more

Editor’s letter & contributors 10 Noticeboard 14 Snapped 91 Galleries 94 Events

Editor's letter

Editor

CEO

rint and distribution deadlines for WildTomato are usually 10 days before the magazine hits the shop shelves so I’m writing this while Auckland is still at Alert Level 3 and the rest of us at Alert Level 2, with no idea of what the state of the nation will actually be in September. As I write this there are no confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board area and let’s hope it continues. Supporting our local businesses also needs to continue with many just starting to find their feet again after the big lockdown. It would be a shame if we regressed so please social distance, wash hands regularly and if you have any symptoms get a Covid-19 test. Thanks to a recent sniffle and cough, I was treated to a swab up the nose and I can tell you it is not pleasant but it’s not horrific either. Having my test come back negative was peace of mind and that’s important too during these stressful times. There is a lot that we can do to stay positive and help others. One of those is to get on board with Nelson Tasman’s ‘We’ve Got This’ campaign which forms part of the region’s economic response and regeneration plan. Led by Project Kōkiri, it is a collaboration between the Nelson Regional Development Agency, Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce, Nelson City Council, Tasman District Council and local iwi. The idea behind the campaign is to ignite local confidence and pride, encourage people to support local and to stimulate domestic tourism. Within the region, it is all about showing that we are strong enough to get through this difficult time if everyone bands together, but externally it is an opportunity to showcase all the amazing things we have here in Nelson Tasman. You can do your bit by sharing the video too and by sending in content submissions to tell the world about your favourite business and attractions so that the rest of the world can see what we have here in Nelson Tasman. Visit www.facebook.com/watch/nelsontasmannz LYNDA PAPESCH

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, Elora Chang, Chelsea Chang, Sara Cohen, Tim Cuff, Maureen Dewar, John Du Four, Vibeke Friis, Kereru Gallery, Sadie Hooper, Emily Hope, Bob Irvine, Denise Irvine, Aimee Jules, Indy King, Renée Lang, Michele Lines, Ivy Lynden, Alex Mahrla, Brent McGilvary, Amy McLeod , Poppy McPhedran, Geoff Moffett, Frank Nelson, Mark Preece, Kerry Sunderland, Phil Thompson. Adena Teka, Dominique White, Brenda Webb

Advertising manager Carrie Frew 021 190 7120 carrie@wildtomato.co.nz

Advertising executive Lisa-Jane Kerr 021 080 10633 lisajane@wildtomato.co.nz

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

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

Publisher

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

Love local Yummy granola

ating a good healthy breakfast each morning is a recommended way to start the day and we’re lucky to have a couple of locally produced options. One is Yum granola, which is made by hand, in small batches. The Yum team uses only the best ingredients, which to it means organic as it maximises flavour

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.

and nutrients, while minimising environmental impact. Ingredients are sourced as close to Nelson Tasman as possible, for instance the hazelnuts come from a nut farm near Blenheim and the honey from Nelson. And it all comes wrapped neatly in sustainable packaging. Well done Yum! Visit www.yumnz.co.nz/our-granola

Cover photography by Vibeke Friis and art direction by Hester Janssen. A big thank you to Mint Flowers for the gorgeous selection of flowers for the photoshoot 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 ALEX MARHLA

Photography (page 85) My father was a traveller. His exploring took him off the beaten track and his stories and slides of different cultures became the backdrop to my childhood. As a young adult, I fed the flame of curiosity with my own global adventures and naturally, the lens became my best friend and storyteller. I am now settled back in Nelson, raising a family, sharing my own stories through photography and perhaps sparking curiosity for a future generation. For now, my scope is smaller but no less diverse. Our region is rich with culture and I only wish I could snap fast enough to capture it all!

R u t h er f o r d

H E A LT H C A R E D AY S TAY S U R G E R Y

Endoscopy @ 132

K E R RY S U N D E R L A N D

Arts Festival Feature (page 26) Having worked as a freelance writer and editor for over 25 years, I’ve spent an enormous chunk of my life sitting. Being a bookish sort of person – who is loving the fact I can now, as the Nelson Arts Festival Pukapuka Talks coordinator and NMIT creative writing tutor, call reading novels ‘work’ – I’ve never really played sports and gym exercise isn’t my thing. Instead, I was drawn to tai chi and qi gong in my early 30s, and more recently I’ve found that yoga and conscious dance really support me.

EDDIE ALLNUTT

Music (page 93) I was born in Christchurch and lived there until my late 20s before heading off to Europe for a one-year OE that turned into 12, thanks to meeting my wife in Budapest. Six years ago we moved back to New Zealand and decided to settle in Nelson where our daughter was born. We love it here with its outdoor adventures and a compact CBD that has it all – even an art deco theatre that caters for my other love, film. I also enjoy a hit of squash, epicurean treats and music – especially from the 70s. A few years ago I studied creative writing and have been freelancing for WildTomato ever since.

Dr Omer Hajelssedig Gastroenterologist, with Surgeons Mr Mark Stewart and Dr Jane Strang welcome you to endoscopy services at 132 Collingwood Street. We offer a professional and comfortable experience for both Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy, supported by anaesthetic expertise, in Nelson’s only accredited daystay unit. Rutherford Healthcare is well established and known for its provision of high-quality and reasonably priced surgical care. This service is available through direct referral from your GP. We look forward to meeting you.

Ph: 027 541 0388 office@tbms.co.nz www.rutherfordhealthcare.co.nz

NOTICEBOARD

Daffodil Day at Falcon Brae

he new luxury Falcon Brae Villa is offering the locals of Nelson Tasman district an opportunity to experience some of its chef’s creations and at the same time raise funds for the Cancer Society. All proceeds will go towards Daffodil Day fundraising. ‘High Kai’ (High Tea Reimagined) is being offered for groups of eight to sample a new version of high tea. Scheduled for the weekend of 26 and 27 September, there will be two sittings per day: 10am to 12.30pm, and 2pm to 4pm. Pre-bookings with 48hrs notice required.$50.00 p/p. Phone 03 522 4479, or email info@falconbraevilla.co.nz

kiss me hardy issue

ubmissions close on Monday 7 September for the 2020 edition of kiss me hardy, the Nelson-based platform for creative writing, experimental literature and visual arts. This year, for the first time, there is a theme with contributors being invited to explore what ‘home’ means to them. It may be a place, a person, a time, memories, emotions, a state of mind, a spiritual place, turangawaewae or a connection to tangata whenua. Categories include: Fiction (up to 2500 words), Essays (up to 2500 words), Poetry, Photographs or Art Works (photographed, approx 1Mb file size). Submissions also need to include: author bio (150 words) and author photo (250-500Kb file size).

Where do you read yours? Win a subscription to WildTomato by sending us a photo of you reading your WildTomato magazine in a weird, wacky or wonderful place. Email editor@wildtomato.co.nz If your photograph is published, you will receive a 12-month subscription to our print magazine. ONLY JPG FILES ACCEPTED, MIN 1MB

A brief description (no more than 50 words) of what ‘home’ means to you in the context of your submission. Visit www.kissmehardy.co.nz

Vibe 1st birthday

appy belated birthday and well done to The Vibe Hair & Beauty in Nelson. As for many businesses, important milestones passed while in lockdown so Sarah Nyssen and her team are celebrating now. Making clients happy is at the heart of what Sarah and her staff at The Vibe Hair & Beauty are all about.

Whitehaven Wines Marlborough Pro-Am

he sixth Whitehaven Wines Marlborough Pro-Am tournament being played on September 24 has a full field of 90 amateurs. Played at the Marlborough Golf Course, the event is sponsored by Whitehaven Wines and 17 other local businesses. The course is in magnificent condition for the event, which involves a shot gun 10.30am start. There are many great vantage places for spectators to watch from and see 30 of New Zealand’s professional golfers in action, matched up with 90 excellent amateur corporate golfers. Jonti Philipson, Director of Golf Hub Marlborough, is looking forward to playing against some of the country’s top professionals. “I am eager to tee it up with the competitive juices flowing as it’s been such a long time between events,” he adds.

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MY BIG IDEA

Fashionable & serious sun protection Cancer survivor Sara Cohen took matters into her own hands when looking for active sportswear. She designed and created her Hākinakina label. Read on … What is your big idea? My Big Idea is to provide serious sun protection for serious play; producing a range of active wear that works as hard as you play. The design and materials give women the freedom to play without compromise (and look good while they do it); complete UPF50+ sun protection and exclusive prints made in New Zealand from 100-percent recycled plastic bottles.

How did it come about? My story began five years ago. Having recently recovered from cancer, I was looking for swimwear that suited my active lifestyle and oﬀered me the high level of sun protection that I needed to cover up my radiation burns. But when it came to it, I found I only had two options – skimpy bikinis that oﬀered next to no protection or something that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a Victorian gothic novel. Above: Sara Cohen wearing one of her new designs 12

When I moved to New Zealand two years ago, the time that I spent playing sport outdoors only increased, and my need for sun protection increased as well. Spending so much time looking for cover-ups that made me look and feel good, I realised there had to be a better way. Not one to back down from a challenge I decided if I couldn’t ﬁnd what I was looking for I would create it. So armed with a background in marketing and five years building a womenswear print label, I decided to give it a go myself.

So what is it all about? Hākinakina is best summed up by our three guiding principles. Look good. I’m passionate about giving women the freedom to play sport without compromise, so our pieces are designed by experts for a superior, ﬂattering ﬁt. I love colour, so all the prints are designed by me to be mixed and matched. Feel good. All of our pieces have a UPF 50+ sun protection rating, meaning that it blocks out 98 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays; so you’re free to play all day without the need for additional sunscreen. Do good. I believe that sustainability is a given and that all businesses should aim for zero impact. Our fabric is made from

100-percent recycled plastic bottles. We work hard to create timeless, versatile staples that are made to outlast fashion trends, and as we manufacture to order, wastage is kept to the absolute minimum. All of our active wear is made locally here in New Zealand by expert Kiwi sewers and we donate $1 for every piece sold to cancer research.

Who is it for? The range is designed for women who take their play and sports seriously and want the freedom to play without compromise. They want UPF 50+ sun protection, but want to look good wearing it too. They want to be able to relax, have fun, and do whatever they want without worrying about the sun.

How can people get hold of one? Head to hakinakina.com and pre-order before the end of September. We’re unique in that we make all of our pieces to order so we can be sure that every piece we make goes to a happy home rather than landfill. This pre-order model means that we will be shipping in November, so if you’d like one for the summer you’ll need to order now! Visit www.hakinakina.com

NELSON COLLEGE

pietas probitas et sapientia Te Kura Tamatāne O Whakatū

Nelson College is a place for every boy

NEWEST LUXURY WEDDING VENUE IN THE REGION Ph: 03 522 4479 E: info@falconbraevilla.co.nz www.falconbraevilla.co.nz

Nelson College’s mentoring programme creates a strong and supportive community, giving your son the best opportunites to thrive and succeed.

Young men taking their place in the world excellence@nelsoncollege.school.nz www.nelsoncollege.school.nz

Special ‘RECOVERY PACKAGES’ available for locals and New Zealand residents.

Indulgeavailable – You deserve it! Special ‘RECOVERY PACKAGES’ for locals and New Zealand residents.

‘High Kai’ – high tea re-imagined for that special occasion - groups of 8

Indulge – You deserve it! Ph: 03 522 4479 E: info@falconbraevilla.co.nz

www.falconbraevilla.co.nz

The exclusive dealer for Compass Pools New Zealand for Nelson, Marlborough & Kaikoura Family-owned and operated for over 50 years. Aquanort – your local pool and spa specialists.

12 Timandra Place, Blenheim T 03 578 5928 norton@aquanort.co.nz | www.aquanort.co.nz

Snapped WildTomato goes out on the town…

Joinery & Design Awards Event Johnny Cash Room, NMIT, Nelson P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y B R E N T M C G I LVA R Y

1. Bec Deacon & Georgia Macmillan 2. Phillip Thompson & Myles Sellers

5. George Molnar & Emma Thompson 6. Paul Ingram & Ian Feathersteine

3. Tony Walker, Debbie Fergie, Alice Douglas & Steve Weeks

7. Graeme Rowntree & Tracey Fisher

4. Meg Wells, Raymond Davies & David Armstrong

9. John Goss & Brian Marshall

8. Keenan Taylor & Kate Thompson

THE SELLERS ROOM COMMERCIAL + RESIDENTIAL KITCHENS & JOINERY

IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT WINNING AN AWARD …

IT’S ABOUT THE JOURNEY NELSON MARLBOROUGH JOINERY AND DESIGN AWARDS 2020

WINNER OF BEST COMMERCIAL FIT-OUT MAMA SAN

Freephone 0800 469 537 • Phone 03 547 7144

thesellersroom.co.nz

WINNER OF BEST USE OF TIMBER

LOG HOUSE, ST ARNAUD

SNAPPED

2 Uniquely Nelson Website Launch Noel Leemings, Bridge St, Nelson P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y B R E N T M C G I LVA R Y

1. Ru Colli, Simon Duffy & Tony Downing

5. Bryce Wastney & Mark Shuttleworth

2. Jo Menary, Renata Schrader & Lorraine Beattie

6. Justine Kennard & Vanessa Downing

3. Sue, David & Liv Moir

7. Sally Russ & Johny O’Donnell

4. Mitchell Wilson & Hayden Lawton

8. Michell Van-Dyk & Skysun Karmacharya

There for you... whenever, wherever

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Discover all the possibilities @ www.donedusted.co.nz Contact Corey on 021 060 2034 • done2dusted@gmail.com

SNAPPED

HÄ kinakina Sports Wear Launch Parts & Service, Nelson PHOTOGRAPHY BY AIMEE JULES

1. Karen Inwood, Alison Couldrey & Cathy McBride 2. Tina Arthur, Tara Hope, Ange Sanders & Sara Cohen

5. Rachel Brown & Paula Ossevoort 6. Milessa Simpson & Nicki Malcolm 7. June Bryan & Sue McNulty

3. Kerry Aitzen & Tomas Goscinszi

8. Erin Dennis & Jacqui Chilcott

4. Sam McSorley & Maria Ingram

9. Jodie Bixley & Anna Woodwiss

SNAPPED

2 Bastille Day Clos Henri Vineyard, Marlborough PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK NELSON

1. Lauren Kenyon, Eoin O’Callaghan, Erin Kenyon & Jarrod Midgley 2. Julia Young, Margaret Pringle & Julia O’Connell

5. Adele Sicard & Amelie Sourdais 6. Julie Fawcett, Rolf Werthmuller & Gay Ford

3. Bridget Byrne, Karl Ross & Sheenagh Symes

7. Natalia Shabanava & Rien Wagenvoort

4. Ginny King & Helen Lissaman

8. Nikki Hannan & Molly

Quench Restaurant & Bar Open for breakfast and evening dining daily Mention this advert & get 10% OFF until end of Sept Quench is at Chateau Marlborough Hotel, Corner of High and Henry St, Blenheim. Ph: 0800 752 275 www.marlboroughnz.co.nz

SNAPPED

1 CBD Eatery Opening Queen St, Blenheim PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADENA TEKA

1. Mike Newman, Jared Morris & Carrie Frew 2. Korina Pouwhare, Leigh Holdaway, Tim Creighton & Sam Kenny 3. Adam Londergan, Matt Squire & Rebecca Fairbrother

4. Simon & Karen Gibb 5. Mark Peters & Julie Smith 6. Nico & Peter Van Beek 7. Richard Evans & Leonie MacDonald 8. Tania & Mike Godsall

We’re back!

8 We’re proud to advise CBD Eatery is now open in a new larger location (next to Vodafone) offering a bright, modern food and dining experience. Our menu includes all the same CBD food favourites, plus more! And check out our CBD pantry and catering options. Pop in to experience our award-wining customer service and quality fresh food that will truly satisfy. Our team looks forward to your visit. Open Monday to Friday 7am to 4pm – Saturday & Sunday 8am to 4pm.

Phone 03 577 7300 or find us on

Our new spot

41 Queen Street, Blenheim

SNAPPED

2 Italian Film Festival Launch The Suter, Nelson

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

1. Matt & Cathy Enright & Craig Wilson

5. Noel Gourdie & Margaret Buchanan

2. Nick, Olive & Sarah Derecourt

6. Monica Mayer & Sharon Van Ekeren

3. Ali Phillips, Robin White, Michael & Jo Honack 4. Trish & Graham Bainbridge

7. Liz & Emily Narbey 8. Oke & Helen Blaikie

YOUR LOCAL BESPOKE JEWELLERY STORE Home to beautifully crafted handmade designs

Find our studio and workshop at 238a Queen St, Richmond | Ph 03 544 9293 | Visit www.rocs.co.nz | Follow us on 19

LOCAL CONNECTION

Marlburians honoured for community services The 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours included three stalwart Marlburians well known for their work in the community. Frank Nelson talked to them about life and honours. PHOTOS FRANK NELSON

ore than 50 years of service and support for rural communities has been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours with the award of the Queen’s Service Medal to Melva Robb. Melva, who lived most of her life in the Marlborough Sounds before moving to Blenheim in 2008, has been a tireless advocate on behalf of country folk and especially rural women and families. Growing up in an isolated, tight-knit community in Pelorus Sound, Melva quickly learned the importance of helping your neighbour. Over the years that has meant anything from the timely delivery of home baking, to organising fundraising events, to lobbying MPs in Wellington. “It’s something that I’ve always felt, the more you put into it the more you get out of it,” she says. “And if you look after your neighbour, they’ll look after you.” Above: Melva Robb helps those in need Opposite page: Jim Thomas provides victim support 20

Melva has primarily worked through Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ). Today she is regional chair for the top of the South Island – Marlborough, Nelson, Westport and Golden Bay – and she previously spent three years on the RWNZ national council. Causes she’s championed under the RWNZ banner include improvements to rural roads and road safety, schools and school buses, libraries, dental clinics, Plunket, hospice and the extension of electric power and broadband services into rural areas. She has also spearheaded major fundraising for research at Massey University into leptospirosis, a disease which can afflict cattle and other farm animals, and helped organise support for a school in Vanuatu, home to some of Marlborough’s seasonal vineyard workers.

Ongoing campaigns

As a trustee of the Top of the South Rural Support Trust, Melva was closely involved in the aftermath of the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes, helping to supply victims with recovery gifts like blankets, linen, crockery, toys and food. “By working as a group you can get more happening than you can as just one voice,” she says. “It’s also fellowship and friendship with other women all around New Zealand.” In response to a downturn in wool prices, which was impacting many rural communities, Melva helped launch 101 Ways with Wool, a campaign to encourage more people to use wool. Last year this led to a two-day show at the A & P showgrounds in Blenheim featuring everything from a fashion parade of wool clothing and shearing demonstrations, to woollen surfboards and woollen caskets.

“By working as a group you can get more happening than you can as just one voice.” M E LVA R O B B

“There are still things that happen in the rural areas that need fighting for, such as broadband and rural schools. So I believe there will always be a need for Rural Women New Zealand.” M E LVA R O B B

Organisers even invited Prince Charles, patron of the global Campaign for Wool, and although he could not attend he sent a letter of support which was framed and put on display. While many things have improved for rural communities over the years, especially with advances in transport, technology and communications, Melva still believes RWNZ has a key role to play. “I think it’s still relevant because we still need a voice. That’s important more than anything,” she says. “There are still things that happen in the rural areas that need fighting for, such as broadband and rural schools. So I believe there will always be a need for Rural Women New Zealand.”

Long service supporting victims

A second local QSM recipient was Jim Thomas. For almost 20 years Jim has been a pillar of Victim Support Marlborough and a rock for those individuals and families touched, either directly or indirectly, by trauma and tragedy. Jim says when people are victims of crime, especially sudden and violent crime, or they have been involved in a major accident or other traumatic event, they are often left in a state where they cannot think clearly or function normally. At such times they may turn to Victim Support, an organisation that can offer practical advice, help them navigate the complicated course of the justice system, and put them in touch with any required professional services. When he retired after 40 years with Bank of New Zealand, Jim joined Victim Support as a paid manager and after seven years, in 2008, he continued working for the organisation as a volunteer. “We’re not professionals, we’re not counsellors but we know where to go to get that sort of help and we can recognise perhaps when victims need some of that extra support,” says Jim. Victim Support gets called in by the police whenever they identify a need for ongoing assistance, and Jim has found himself helping people caught up in the aftermath of a wide variety of crimes, accidents and emergencies. “The crimes can be anything from a letterbox being knocked over in the middle of the night to a homicide,” Jim says. “If it’s a real serious situation like suicide, homicide or car accidents, people sometimes lose their ability to function properly. “At other times you might just get on the phone, ring somebody up and have a chat, and it’s all sorted. That’s sometimes all they need.” Jim opted for special training to help people trying to cope with their stress and grief following such traumatic events as homicides and suicides which may have happened in Marlborough, somewhere else in New Zealand or even overseas. His work helping others, including volunteering for more than a dozen years as a community representative with Restorative Justice Marlborough, plus his long involvement with the Blenheim Lions Club and various other public projects, earned him a Queen’s Service Medal earlier this year. He’s been with Blenheim Lions for 30 years during which time he has served as president, treasurer and zone chairman; he chaired district conventions in 2007 and 2017 plus last year’s national convention held in Blenheim.

“The crimes can be anything from a letterbox being knocked over in the middle of the night to a homicide.” JIM THOMAS

Multiple roles

He’s been at the forefront of the Blenheim Lions firewood project, delivering firewood to residents in need, and initiated the club’s local predator trapping programme. Jim was also a founding member of the Marlborough Stadium 2000 Trust from 2001 to 2006, and has supported the Rarangi Golf Club by helping organise and run golf tournaments. Jim says he couldn’t have done all the things he has without the wonderful help and support of his wife, Raewyn. The couple has four adult children and nine grandchildren so have to juggle family time with Jim’s various community commitments. Though he’s now 77, Jim thinks he may continue working with Victim Support for another four or five years. 21

“I believe we have a welcoming community that recognises the richness of ethnic diversity and its potential to deliver longterm economic, cultural and social benefits.” MARGARET WESTERN

Assisting migrants

Last but by no means least, migrant champion Margaret Western’s input was also recognised when she too was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal. A steady influx of nationalities and cultures from all over the world has subtly changed the face and enhanced the cosmopolitan character of Marlborough over the past few decades. The province’s growing multi-culturalism has been embraced and championed by Margaret, who was recognised for her efforts on behalf of the migrant community. In 2007 she was a key member of the group that helped establish Blenheim’s Marlborough Migrant Centre which provides support services and information for new overseas residents. “It’s navigating people to the right key agencies to support their settlement process,” she says, adding that a number of migrants are highly skilled and their “economic input is significant”. Margaret, who is a passionate advocate for diversity and multi-culturalism, initially spent about three years as chairperson; then, from 2014 until earlier this year, she was employed part-time as the centre manager. “I believe we have a welcoming community that recognises the richness of ethnic diversity and its potential to deliver longterm economic, cultural and social benefits.” She says it’s not easy for newcomers to adjust to a different culture, language and environment; however, she adds, it’s equally important to help the community adjust to the newcomers. Margaret says her role has been very much around an appreciation of diversity and around education, including education for the host community in terms of inter-cultural awareness and communication. “The best manner of community support is to show that friendly face,” says Margaret. The migrant centre also offers workshops, volunteer opportunities and ways of helping migrants achieve their goals, including suitable employment. She says newcomers should understand that living in New Zealand brings rights and responsibilities. “I believe that for people to settle successfully they need to fully participate and integrate into the community, at the same time keeping their sense of cultural identity.” Margaret, who pays tribute to the help and support of her husband Alan, has worked hard to help integrate and celebrate the growing global mix of nationalities and cultures that have gravitated towards Marlborough. She organised Marlborough’s first annual Multicultural Festival in 2009 and says this year’s event attracted between 5000 and 6000 people who enjoyed 32 different cultural performances and a variety of ethnic food. She has also been the driving force behind three International Women’s Evenings, the latest of which drew about 450 colourfully-dressed migrants and local women to the Blenheim Convention Centre. She has helped raise the profile of community diversity by promoting events tied to Indian, Chinese, Korean, Thai and other 22

“I believe that for people to settle successfully they need to fully participate and integrate into the community, at the same time keeping their sense of cultural identity.” MARGARET WESTERN

national or cultural festivals. And she has also supported the inter-faith groups emerging in Marlborough. Elsewhere in the community Margaret has been involved with IHC Marlborough, Marlborough Budgeting Service and the Child Cancer Foundation. She is former president of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Marlborough and a committee member of the Marlborough Community Organisations’ Grants Scheme. Margaret recently left the centre to join Red Cross in Blenheim as the ‘Pathways to Employment’ manager, working with former refugees coming to settle in Marlborough.

Above: Margaret Western enjoys helping Marlborough’s migrants

LOWER QUEEN STREET SPECIALISTS EXTRA ROOMS AVAILABLE

The highly successful and high-profile Lower Queen Street Health Centre now has extra specialist rooms available. These are available for sessional or full-time lease on a short-term or long-term basis. These rooms have been fitted out to a top quality and have a shared reception and waiting area in a common managed suite. The suite also has a modern procedure room available on a sessional basis. The rooms are ideal for medical specialists and other health professionals, but are also well suited to professionals outside the health sector. Expressions of interest to Janette Haunch 027 881 3481 – office@lqsspecialists.co.nz

EVENT SHOWCASE

Garden Marlborough Marlborough’s iconic Garden Marlborough is going full steam ahead in November. Brenda Webb looks at what’s in store for participants this year. PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY GARDEN MARLBOROUGH

ustralian gardening guru Michael McCoy and New Zealand’s favourite cook and author Nadia Lim head the line-up at November’s Rapaura Springs Garden Marlborough Bloom in the Boom. The event, which runs from November 5-8, is going ahead thanks to the determination of an enthusiastic and hard-working committee. The committee, spearheaded by president Tim Crawford, always believed Bloom in the Boom was possible, despite Covid-19 causing many other events to be cancelled. “We were convinced and we would be in a position to run the event and so just kept on going,” he says. “If we had pulled the pin early on, we wouldn’t have been able to pick it up – it would have been too hard – we had to keep it ticking along. And as it happened, we are able to stage it.” Tim said a huge amount of work had already gone into the planning and preparation for Garden Marlborough before Covid-19 appeared in the country. “Work starts as soon as the previous event is over and the bulk of the work was done well before March.” Above: Garden party at Longfield, 2019 Opposite page: The ever-popular garden fete 24

But Covid-19 may well affect some parts of the event with current travel restrictions meaning Australian visitors won’t be able to attend. One of the event’s main speakers, Michael McCoy, is based in Victoria and if he can’t physically make it to Marlborough, Tim promises there will be something very special in the way of a virtual performance. A repeat visitor, Michael brings his down-to-earth and vivacious style to the event with a keynote show on Friday night looking at new directions in planting design. A recognised author with a swag of gardening books, and a qualified botanist and acclaimed gardener to boot, McCoy is always popular when he comes to Marlborough. Michael’s second talk on Sunday will look back at his 25 years of gardening which include time spent as a gardener at the world famous Great Dixter in England, where he worked alongside Christopher Lloyd. Nadia Lim is sure to be a sell-out bringing her inspiring brand of Nude Food to Marlborough. Nadia was only 11-years-old when English celebrity chef Jamie Oliver took the world by storm with his Naked Chef books and Nude Food is Nadia’s personal take on that. She idolised Oliver as a youngster and now promotes her own delicious version of fresh, natural and real ingredients with no additives and no fancy packaging.

Live cooking demo

The former MasterChef winner and dietician has won the nation over with her simple and sumptuous recipes and her latest book Vegful was runner-up at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. During lockdown she inspired Kiwis with her own television show, coming up with scrumptious recipes using store-cupboard and garden ingredients. The series was filmed by Nadia’s husband Carlos on their lifestyle property. During her live cooking demonstration at Garden Marlborough, Nadia will talk about her life and cooking and answer questions.

Sunday’s garden fete returns to the Churchill Glade in Pollard Park and already stallholders are lining up to participate ensuring there will be a wealth of goods on display and sale for visitors. Social events

The Garden Marlborough committee was kept busy during lockdown with weekly Zoom meetings, enlivened by a regular wine options session. “Wine was donated by Wino’s and my job was to deliver a bottle of wine to everyone – it was a lot of fun,” says Tim. This year’s programme has the usual wide range of speakers covering subjects including soil health, getting your plantings right, pool landscaping, fruit tree pruning and stone walling. Tim expects the event to attract even more people given that borders may well remain closed causing people to travel locally. The committee anticipates the event will be hugely supported by Kiwis wanting to travel to a nationally and internationally recognised event. “At this stage there certainly is plenty of interest and the stories we are hearing are that New Zealanders are travelling a lot. Personally, I think people are hanging out for this event,” he says. The ever-popular garden tours are a highlight and they include the magnificent East Coast and Awatere Valley tour, which features three spectacular gardens – Winterhome, Barewood and Paripuma. All three are internationally recognised. Other tours include Spring Creek, Wairau Valley and the half day Urban Tour which features smaller and thoughtfully designed town gardens including two new gardens.

Rapaura Springs Garden Marlborough wouldn’t be the same without its scintillating mix of social events and the muchanticipated cocktail party is again at Longfield, the immaculately manicured garden of Lynne and Rob Hammond. With its Italianinspired statues, reflecting ponds, brick walls and fountains, party goers may well feel they have been transported to a formal garden in Tuscany. Sunday’s garden fete returns to the Churchill Glade in Pollard Park and already stallholders are lining up to participate ensuring there will be a wealth of goods on display and sale for visitors. The fete is always hugely popular – even in the rain. Last year’s event went ahead despite pouring rain and it didn’t deter the crowds.

Photo: Bernie Inglis

Arts Festival 2020

Nelson Arts Festival shifts focus for 2020 Planning for this year’s Nelson Arts Festival has resumed and the team has embraced the opportunity to create and collaborate with the local community. Kerry Sunderland speaks with the new Nelson Arts Festival Director, Padma Naidu. P H O T O S S U P P L I E D B Y T H E N E L S O N A R T S F E S T I VA L

lanning for this year’s festival was already well underway when the World Health Organisation declared Covid-19 a pandemic. Soon after, the Nelson Festivals Trust made the difficult decision to halt planning because it would have been irresponsible to pour money into a festival that might not happen. Only three months later, we became one of the first countries in the world where large gatherings are once again possible. However, that world is now a very different place and our ‘new normal’ is reshaping what the 2020 Nelson Arts Festival can be. “The focus has naturally shifted, as a result of Covid-19,” says Padma Naidu, who took over the reins from Charlie Unwin as 26

festival director late last year. “Whereas, in the past, we’ve brought international and national shows to Nelson audiences who might not otherwise get a chance to see them, we’re now exploring how we can support emerging artists, authors and creative practitioners living here in the region, as well as world-class performers who live here and elsewhere in Aotearoa.” Underpinning all programming decisions is the belief, among board members, staff, contractors and volunteers, in the transformative power of culture; a conviction that sharing theatre, music, comedy, dance, visual arts and literature is the key to rebalancing and revitalising our region’s community.

Colouring her world

Padma’s background makes her the ideal person to take the helm in these strange times. Her passion for egalitarian, democratic and community-based arts initiatives also aligns with the new Nelson Festivals Trust’s kaupapa, which prioritises inclusiveness, diversity, partnerships and mana toi; championing the role of the arts and the contribution artists make to our lives.

“... we’re now exploring how we can support emerging artists, authors and creative practitioners living here in the region ... ” PA D M A N A I D U

“We want to give people the chance to work out what arts and culture mean for them in this new environment we’re all living in.”

The potential to be creative first presented itself to Padma when, at the age of 10, her design for the school library mural was chosen from amongst her class. “I hadn’t really seen myself in the arts, I was more into science and left-brain stuff. It was a real eye opener for me about what colour and form and texture were about. It gave me a sense of the potential of the visual arts. What got me really excited was drawing big and bold.” After she finished high school, Padma first qualified as a chemist and then became a maths and science teacher before retraining, in her mid-30s, as an architect. She says her passion for architecture stemmed from the opportunity to consider different perspectives, and the emphasis on looking at different ways of living and designing for different human conditions. “The way we developed projects was similar to how art projects get developed conceptually, so that was when I first started to see the connection. I trained in the days before computer-aided design (CAD), so you had to produce stunning drawings. We used paint and colour and mark-making techniques and I really got into using these materials.” After several years honing her skills as a practitioner, Padma then set up an arts trust called Art_Bridges Trust (every pun intended) with one of her colleagues and ran workshops in the community. “All of our projects were focused on expanding audiences and breaking down barriers to make the arts accessible, making it clear it wasn’t just some mystical thing but part of everyday life,” she says. “It’s always been my focus to ensure the arts are inclusive and to look at how they make some sort of social difference; contribute to the social good and delight. Art is a way to communicate strong messaging about important things.”

Photo: Bernie Inglis

PA D M A N A I D U

Above: Clockwise - Mask parade; Nelson Arts Festival Director, Padma Naidu Opposite page: Mask parade

While Padma notes that some differentiate between arts and crafts, she believes the more we include art in our everyday lives – whether we’re producing a beautiful garden or cooking a delicious meal, or making our own clothes – engaging with the arts is for everybody; it’s about finding our connection to self and connection to others. “Obviously something like the Mask Carnivale is a great foundation for engaging many different communities and being inclusive – firstly, it’s free and it’s about creating masks, which provides opportunities for both self-expression and expression of culture – so it’s a great platform. We’re looking at how we can embody these ideas in smaller scale events too. “Instead of only curated events, we’re also working with local communities, including new migrants. We want to give people the chance to work out what arts and culture mean for them in this new environment we’re all living in. It’s not just the festival saying, ‘we’d like you to perform this particular dance from your culture’, but co-creating something together.” The Nelson Arts Festival will also present some shows from elsewhere in New Zealand, because this is another form of inclusiveness; giving those who live here access to them without having to leave the region. 27

New venues

Photo: Becki Moss

For the first time in many years, the Nelson Arts Festival will mostly happen in the inner city rather than at Founders Heritage Park. “Our focus has also pretty much been determined this year by the impact Covid-19 has had on businesses in the city so we’re consciously trying to work with city venues, small and large. By collaborating with these venues, we can keep ticket prices low to free. This is another form of access and a way to attract new audiences. It’s about the audience finding arts in places they normally go to, such as the cafés and bars in New Street. “This year, about half of all events will be free. Being part of the Nelson City Council’s Ngā Toi Huatau initiative has also given us the opportunity to ‘sprinkle’ our programme over the whole month. Just as people start stretching their wings as spring gets underway, we wanted to offer opportunities for people to engage and be entertained so we’ve scheduled shows every weekend in October. We’re also collaborating with other organisations and promoting what they’re doing under the Nelson Arts Festival umbrella. It’s an experiment to see how our community responds to this.” Padma says despite the small size of the programme, she has tried to offer something from every genre: theatre, dance, music, visual arts, comedy and literary events feature in the programme. This year’s programme aims to appeal to new audiences, partly because the Nelson community has become more ethnically diverse, but as festival director, Padma is interested in exploring what we all have in common. She says ‘relatable’ is a key word. “Anyone who has had a broken heart knows what that experience feels like, regardless of your ethnicity or your age, and if Covid showed us anything, it is that we have this shared experience and no one can escape it. We’re looking at what we share as the human race, those core needs for love and connection and kindness. Likewise, we’re all impacted by difficulties and challenges.”

This year, the festival kicks off on Thursday 1 October with Night Vision, a whānau-friendly event inspired by the international phenomenon White Night (Nuit Blanc), where the inner city comes to life with art exhibitions, performances, interactive events, installations and artists-in-residence, all happening in one energetic transformative night that encourages friends, families and visitors from outside the region to wander around the city to see and experience art, both indoors and outdoors, in a casual and relaxed manner. Cycle-in Flix in Pocket Park (on the west side of Bridge Street) is a variation on drive-in movies, where people will be invited to venture out on their bikes. “We want to encourage new migrants to celebrate and share their arts and culture,” says Padma, “so this will be an opportunity to experience Hispanic and Latino culture on both the big screen and through live performances. But it’s not only about the arts but also about encouraging a greener travelling mode around city.” The first theatre show is A Traveller’s Guide to Turkish Dogs, which opens on Friday October 2 for two nights only at the Suter Theatre. Padma describes it as a heart-warming story of international travel and a border crossing that all Kiwis will be able to relate to, being such great travellers. “Given the absence of international travel, we can reflect on the past. Attending a show like this is a chance to explore vicariously.” On Sunday October 4, the local theatre production, The Boy With Wings, also takes to the stage at the Suter. “It sold out as a work-in-development at Nelson Fringe and, being suitable for From top: Clockwise - Turkish Dogs; The Man Who Was Thursday 28

Photo: Daniel Allen

Highlights of week one

those aged from five to 95, is something several generations can enjoy together,” says Padma.

Highlights of week two

Well it only seems appropriate to start a week that, for the Nelson Arts Festival’s purposes, starts on a Thursday, with a show called The Man Who Was Thursday. A local production directed by Giles Burton, the show has received high praise at both local and international fringe festivals. Peter Coates takes on the daunting role of playing all 20 characters, including an elephant, in this fast-paced, gripping, humorous show. Reviewers have described his transition from one character to the other in quick succession as close to flawless; each character has its own accent, traits and personalities, all of which shine through his remarkable ability to make each character distinct.

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™

The inner-city-wide Mask Exhibition commences on Sunday October 18, in the lead up to the Nelson Arts Festival’s iconic community celebration, the Mask Carnivale. Wellington Media Collective’s exhibition, Unrefined, opens at the new Refinery Artspace in Hardy Street on Monday October 12 and runs through to Saturday November 7. Curator Chris McBride, who originally hails from Nelson and is one of the founders of Wellington Media Collective (WMC), has selected for display a large body of WMC work, much of which he had a part in creating. The exhibition weaves a story of political activism with a cultural history of performance and art, reflecting on the social, political, cultural and economic trends of the era (1978 to 1998). It’s a rare opportunity to see a significant piece of New Zealand history before it is permanently archived. Don’t miss the floor talk featuring Chris and fellow artists on Tuesday October 13.

Highlights of week three

Presented as a work-in-development at last year’s festival, The Grooves! Triple Bill is a series of short, entertaining vignettes, danced in contemporary ballet style to eclectic pieces of classic rock involving both professional and emerging NZ dancers. “It represents our approach of investing in artists rather than art product,” Padma says. The inner-city-wide Mask Exhibition commences on Sunday October 18, in the lead up to the Nelson Arts Festival’s iconic community celebration, the Mask Carnivale. Inspired by the teddy bear in the window craze during the lockdown, look out for masks appearing all over town in shop fronts and other visible (and sometimes surprising) places. The first collaborative literary event will be held at Red16 in New Street on Tuesday October 20, when the hilarious and sprightly octagenarian poet Rachel McAlpine headlines the October gathering of the Nelson Live Poets Society.

Highlights of week four

Extraordinary and inspirational solo vocalist Estère is performing on Thursday October 22 and Friday October 23 at the Theatre Royal. She’s been described by Pantograph Punch, for whom she has been ‘artist in residence’, as both a musician and empress of electric blue witch-hop. The New Zealand Herald has

From top: Clockwise - The Human Voice; The Grooves

called her sonic amalgamations “a beautiful mix of everything the music world is lauding and lusting after right now”. The Human Voice is not for the faint hearted; the oneact opera explores human feelings and needs around love, relationships and communication over the phone, while physically distanced. It takes place in an intimate setting; a hotel room at the Rutherford, with a maximum audience size of 20, on both Saturday October 24 and Sunday October 25. Padma says, “I expect people to come out of this unsettled, a bit unravelled even.” The Nelson Arts Festival’s literary event programme, Pukapuka Talks, again takes place over the Labour Weekend but special literary events will also be happening either side of this. “Pukapuka Talks is more integrated into the rest of the festival programme this year rather than existing as a standalone series of writers’ events,” Padma explains. Included are genre-bending works, literary performances and captivating kōrero featuring both local and visiting writers, some who are debut authors and others who are internationally renowned. “While we didn’t set out with a specific theme at the outset, themes often emerge subconsciously. This year, there is a thematic connection, across the whole programme, around human rights and activism,” she says. “A good arts festival programme should encourage people to see and engage with performances and ideas they normally wouldn’t; to be surprised by something they normally wouldn’t think of as ‘this is the sort of show I would normally go to’.” We’ll take a closer look at Pukapuka Talks in the October edition of WildTomato. In the meantime, the full programme is available at www.nelsonartsfestival.nz The whole Nelson Arts Festival team is well aware things may change – we all now know how life can be unpredictable and we need to be able to live with uncertainty – but are adopting a ‘best case scenario’ mindset in the meantime. If for any reason any events don’t ahead, all tickets will be fully refunded.

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NZIA Awards 2020

Award-winning designs & builds Architecture runs the gamut from contemporary castles to more modest mansions and even public throne rooms. Sadie Hooper looks at New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) award winners for this year.

ome of this year’s award-winning architectural structures were large, some small, some complicated and layered and yet others were more simple designs and builds. They all had one thing in common however; they all took the judges’ fancy and stood out as excellent examples of what the varying types of architecture are.

Winning architects in the 2020 awards across Nelson Tasman and Marlborough were Jerram Tocker Barron Architects, redbox architects 2017 and Arthouse Architects. Several projects which used Wellington and Auckland architects also won awards.

OVERALL LOCAL WINNERS WERE: Nelson Airport Terminal Studio of Pacific Architecture, Wellington, Commercial Architecture Award Pic’s Peanut Butter World Jerram Tocker Barron Architects, Commercial Architecture and Best Colour Award St Joseph’s School, Nelson, New Classroom Block Create Architects, Education Award

Axe House Architecture Plus, Housing Award Kaiteriteri Family Bach redbox architects 2017, Housing Award Vineyard House Arthouse Architects, Housing Award Betts Apartments Arthouse Architects, Housing Multi-unit Award

Saltwater Creek Bridge Jerram Tocker Barron Architects, Public Architecture Award

Queens Garden Toilet Block Jerram Tocker Barron Architects, Small Project Architecture Award

The Quays Studio of Pacific Architecture, Public Architecture Award

Picot Bach Mitchell Stout Dodd Architects, Small Project Architecture Award

National judging next

Next month the NZIA jury is due to take a 10-day road trip visiting and assessing the national shortlisted projects, before announcing the national winners in November. Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) is a membership-based professional organisation that represents registered architects and promotes architecture in New Zealand. The NZIA has around 4000 members. Approximately 50 percent are registered architects working in New Zealand, with the balance of membership made up of New Zealand architects working overseas, architectural graduates, architecture students, teachers of architecture and retired architects. The winners from each region go forward to the national awards. Both regional and national awards are held annually.

Local winners

In this year’s Nelson Marlborough regional awards, Axe House in Marlborough designed by architecture+ was a winner in the Housing category. An extrusion of a familiar cabin form, this house occupies a narrow site carved from the surrounding vineyard. The elongated plan allows views through the house and along the vines; in contrast, the raised floor level ensures transverse views that engage with the landscape beyond. The simple external form is an expression of disciplined material selection, coupled with rigorous detailing; subtly shaped cuts in this form create sheltered outdoor spaces and capture views.

Above: Clockwise - Vineyard House, photo Sarah Rowlands; Picot Bach, photo Lucas K Doolan; Queens Gardens Toilet Block, photo Virginia Woolf; St Joseph’s School , photo Oliver Weber Photography; Saltwater Creek Bridge, photo Jason Mann; Nelson Airport Terminal, photo Jason Mann; Axe House, photo Thomas Seear-Budd; The Quays, photo Virginia Woolf; Pic’s Peanut Butter World, photo Jason Mann; Kaiteriteri Family Bach, photo Dominique White Opposite page: Betts Apartments, photo Kate McPherson

Restrained interior spaces are relieved by telling detail at points of view and transition to provide notable moments within a calmly expressed home. 33

Congratulations to all the 2020 winners. The following pages detail some of the key award-winning buildings and those who designed and created them.

Nelson Airport Terminal By Studio of Pacific Architecture, Wellington, Commercial Architecture Award P H O T O G R A P H Y JA S O N M A N N

he award-winning Nelson Airport Terminal notched up another win for the Studio of Pacific Architecture with an award in the Commercial Architecture category this year. The roof forms of Nelson Airport, shaped to reflect the adjacent mountain ranges, signal this important gateway to the Nelson region. Articulated timber structures and surfaces provide warmth and familiarity to a highly resolved single volume. Open to the east and west, the terminal both contains and reveals the complexity of airport operations. The building successfully integrates innovative timber structural and seismic design, prefabrication technology, climate resilience and environmental systems. The resulting architecture serves as an important showcase for the potential of these design elements in the public and commercial realms.

The Quays By Studio of Pacific Architecture, Wellington, Public Architecture Award PHOTOGRAPHY VIRGINIA WOOLF

n Marlborough The Quays was a second success story for Studio Pacific Architecture, gaining its award in the Public Architecture category. The Quays is a new public space that supports a series of formal and informal functions and provides navigable access at the change in elevation from Blenheim’s town centre to the Taylor River. Alluding to the site’s former function as a pier, the design integrates robust public furniture and carefully selected and thoughtfully combined surfaces. This landscape-led development acts as a first stage in the formation of a new heart for central Blenheim, providing a focus for the proposed new library and gallery, and re-establishing the river edge’s historical use as a cultural, social and economic hub.

Alluding to the site’s former function as a pier, the design integrates robust public furniture and carefully selected and thoughtfully combined surfaces. From top: Clockwise - Night-time ambience at The Quays and the daylight version; the new Nelson Airport terminal 34

Big city expertise, without the big city smoke. Image courtesy of Studio Pacific Architects

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Saltwater Creek Bridge By Jerram Tocker Barron Architects, Public Architecture Award P H O T O G R A P H Y JA S O N M A N N

he Saltwater Creek Bridge won in the Public Architecture category for Nelson-based firm Jerram Tocker Barron Architects. Judges noted that it was a worthy addition to Nelson’s developing Mahitahi Walkway; an important connection between city and port. Subtle shaping of the curving timber exo-skeleton, with integrated detailing and lighting, creates an evocative form appropriate to this high-profile location. Conceived as a timber structure, the bridge replaces a more conventional steel and concrete predecessor. Careful consideration was given to durability and seismic resilience in this project which serves as a test case for timber use in small public works.

Subtle shaping of the curving timber exo-skeleton, with integrated detailing and lighting, creates an evocative form appropriate to this high-profile location.

Queens Garden Toilet Block By Jerram Tocker Barron Architects, Small Project Architecture Award PHOTOGRAPHY VIRGINIA WOOLF

nother winner, for Jerram Tocker Barron Architects, was the new Queens Garden Toilet Block in Nelson which won an award in the Small Project Architecture category. Judges noted it was a small structure with a lot to do, saying that the building successfully navigates the space between public building and public convenience, forming a new gateway to Queens Gardens. They further noted that a rigorous design solution allows this structure to sit among a grove of protected trees. The architects’ integrated approach to form-making and material selection has resulted in a crisply expressed pavilion, connected visually and materially to the nearby Nelson’s Suter Art Gallery.

... the building successfully navigates the space between public building and public convenience, forming a new gateway to Queens Gardens. From top: Clockwise - Queens Garden Toilet Block; night lighting at the toilet block; curving timber on the Saltwater Creek Bridge; an artistic link 36

st. 1 9 4

YEAR

Congratulations to all the winners at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NZIA Local Architecture Awards!

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Pic’s Peanut Butter World By Jerram Tocker Barron Architects, Commercial Architecture Category Award and Colour Award P H O T O G R A P H Y JA S O N M A N N

he architects have boldly adapted a familiar building form to radically re-cast a factory and warehouse and provide an engaging visitor experience. The prosaic functions of factory production, and storage, staff and office spaces, are integrated in a well-handled back-of-house. Visitors are met ‘out front’ and then guided, step by step, through the processes of peanut butter production. A crisply detailed glazed front wall opens the building to the street, while a series of deft insertions of colour and detail at entry, together with skylights and an elevator, add a sense of the Dahlesque to the whole composition. A generous palette of colour, and complementary materials, guide the user’s experience of the building. The pathway through the factory is highlighted in bold red, and the wellconsidered use of light and dark, compression and expansion, embellishes the route, encouraging movement as well as signalling points at which visitors may linger on their journey.

... a series of deft insertions of colour and detail at entry, together with skylights and an elevator, add a sense of the Dahlesque to the whole composition. From top: Clockwise - The entrance looking out from inside; colourful decor; the glazed front wall 38

N Z

A R C H I T E C T U R E

AWA R D S

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Vineyard House By Arthouse Architects, Housing Award PHOTOGRAPHY SARAH ROWLANDS

he two wings of this farmhouse pivot around a concealed central entry. Bedrooms are accommodated in a simple low-slung form to the east, allowing light and ready access to views and the landscape. The living wing, which is more complex, steps to encompass two integral outdoor areas, shaped to acknowledge the passage of the sun and to offer protection from prevailing winds. Inside the house, robust concrete elements are softened by crafted oak joinery, creating a warm and welcoming family space. Care in design and a high level of craftsmanship are evident in the sculpted cedar cladding, cleverly shaped to admit and exclude the sun.

From top: Clockwise - Set among the vines; clever spaces; ready access to views; two wings of the house with a concealed central entry

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St Joseph’s School, Nelson – New Classroom Block By Create Architects, Education Category Award PHOTOGRAPHY OLIVER WEBER

arefully sited to complete the western side of a central quadrangle, this building gives a contemporary edge to the pivotal open space at the heart of the campus of St Joseph’s School in Nelson Tasman. Broad overhangs shield extensive glazing and also provide sheltered outdoor space for learning and play. In a light and open counterpoint to the adjacent more traditional school buildings, the new classroom block has operable doors which allow free movement from within to without. Well-detailed internal spaces, with beneficial natural lighting and acoustics, provide flexible and highly appropriate learning environments.

From top: Clockwise - Carefully sited; light-filled classrooms; central to the main quadrangle; contemporary design

structural - general engineering Proud to do work on the Vineyard House.

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Multidig Services are an experienced company dealing with landscaping, land development and earthmoving/excavation requirements. We are confined space excavation experts specialising in post and tree hole boring,rotary hoeing, lawn preparation, driveways, concrete breaking, site and section clearance, foundations, drainage, irrigation trenching and tree removal including work in the viticulture and horticulture industries. We pride ourselves on a prompt, reliable service.

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Kaiteriteri Family Bach By redbox architects 2017, Housing Category Award PHOTOGRAPHY DOMINIQUE WHITE

he house presents a closed face to the street, concealing what lies within, but entry reveals crafted living spaces, with flanking bedroom wings spreading out to include the adjacent wetland within a generous outdoor area. Prefabricated structural elements were incorporated throughout to facilitate a tight construction programme, and sliding openings and articulated louvres allow interior spaces to be naturally ventilated and daylighting controlled. Careful planning allows for a summertime crowd, accommodated in a delightfully detailed bunkroom or plug-in camper vans. Accessed by a glazed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;drawbridgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, the master suite offers a resort-style retreat from the more communal living and sleeping wings.

... entry reveals crafted living spaces, with flanking bedroom wings spreading out to include the adjacent wetland within a generous outdoor area. From top: Clockwise - A closed street facade; crafted indoor/outdoor living spaces; a resort-style master suite 44

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Betts Apartments By Arthouse Architects, Housing Multi-unit Category Award P H O T O G R A P H Y K AT E M C P H E R S O N

etts Apartments is the first large-scale residential development in central Nelson. A protective southern elevation, pushed to the street edge, coupled with concealed basement car parking, frees the centre of the site to provide a private open space for residents. Viewed from this space, structure, texture and materials combine artfully to form a series of coherent elevations. Protected balconies are integrated with the north and western faรงades to increase living areas and maximise sun and aspect. In particular, the architects have taken good advantage of opportunities to gain views to the city and the green spaces of Pikimai (Church Hill).

From top: Clockwise - Structure, texture and materials combine artfully to form a series of coherent elevations

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Picot Bach, Kaiteriteri By Mitchell Stout Dodd Architects, Small Project Architecture Category Award P H O T O G R A P H Y L U K A S K D O O L A N O F S T U D I O M I L L S PA C E

ore beachside campground than bach, this project is a collection of small objects: cabin; sleep-out; caravan; deck; boatshed; shower; and tower. The careful arrangement of these objects and the spaces between them has produced a perfect getaway for two, that readily adapts to welcome (much) larger gatherings. Craftmanship abounds in the assembly of the locally sourced materials that form this building, allowing it to touch its site lightly â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a simple act of generosity in this coastal village.

The careful arrangement of these objects and the spaces between them has produced a perfect getaway for two, that readily adapts to welcome (much) larger gatherings. From top: Clockwise - Craftsmanship abounds using locally sourced materials 48

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FinzUp Mako

Mako aim

to raise the bar BY GEOFF MOFFETT | PHOTOS SHUTTERSPORT

he Tasman Mako set the bar too high for other teams in winning an historic first national provincial championship last year. But that won’t be good enough in this year’s Mitre 10 Cup. Co-head coach Andrew Goodman says Tasman will have to lift to another level to have a chance of winning the title again in 2020. And bookies have the Mako favourites, ahead of Canterbury. Mako coach Goodman is channeling Steve Hansen when he says it’s not a case of defending the trophy, but of trying to win it. “We have to stay a step ahead,” says Andrew who is buzzing at the challenge ahead for the Mako after their historic 2019 season when the team won 12 wins from 12 games, including semi and final. Fans will look back with joy at that fantastic 2019 winter – Tasman finishing the length of the straight ahead of Wellington on the round-robin table and beating the same team 31-14 in the final at Trafalgar Park. 50

So many fantastic tries, so many emphatic victories. But it’s not the 45-8 result over Wellington in the first round that Andrew Goodman remembers, or the 40-0 whitewash of Auckland in round eight. It’s the narrow escape over North Harbour at home (21-17) and the hang-tough grinding victory over Waikato (35-26) in Hamilton which for him sets the benchmark for this Mako outfit.

Dig deep

Tasman’s average winning margin was 26 points, but it’s the tight games that create confidence in a team’s systems and its ability to hold up under extreme pressure. Even in semi-professional provincial rugby every move, every trick that coaches dream up is soon analysed to death and a countermove devised. And that’s what other provincial coaches will be doing on the near-perfect 2019 Mako.

“We had an extensive review at the end of the year, got feedback from the players and the coaching and management team about how we can improve, be more efficient,” says Andrew. “It’s the little moves, the things we do in our structure that can make a difference. We need to keep players excited and the opposition guessing. You make sure you don’t stay stale or predictable. We’re just hungry for more. We’re always wanting to get better. We want to come in this season and make sure we’ve got that same drive, that desire to get better every day.”

Player pool

Andrew, co-head coach Clarke Dermody and fellow coaches Shane Christie and Gray Cornelius have some of the world’s best rugby connections to tap into. For Andrew, the rugby brain power includes Irish coach Joe Schmidt, for whom Andrew played at Leinster, and coaching cohorts at the Crusaders, including head coach Scott Robertson and assistant Ronan O’Gara. “We’re lucky we are able to connect with quality outfits in Europe. There are also great podcasts from some of the best coaches in the world to look at, little things to make sure players are engaged in meetings and learning and contributing.”

“We want to come in this season and make sure we’ve got that same drive, that desire to get better every day.” A N D R EW G O O D M A N , C OA C H

Above: From top - The Mako celebrate their premiership victory; Andrew Makalio (with ball) supported by Tyrel Lomax and Alex Nankivell during the final game Opposite page: Jubilant players Leicester Fainga’anuku, Finlay Christie (9) and David Havili celebrate

The Mako squad is strong, stacked with 17 players with Super contracts – although the loose forward ranks have been hit. Liam Squire and Jordan Taufua are playing overseas while Ethan Blackadder has a broken thumb which could keep him out most of the Mitre 10 season. Added to that, Shannon Frizell is odds-on to get an All Blacks call-up which could restrict his Mako appearances to the first two or three games. 51

But Andrew isn’t fazed, saying it will open opportunities for at least four other loosies, young men in their early 20s. There’s Crusaders Super-contracted flanker/No 8 Sione Havili, Jacob Norris, the Marist club captain who led Tasman on their US tour, Braden Stewart and Isaiah Miller, a NZ under-20 rep in 2016, who played some games for Tasman two years ago before being injured. Taina Fox-Matamua, another highly promising loose forward who impressed at No 8 for the Mako two years ago, will also get his chance. Above: Fetuli Paea in full flight Below: Pari Pari Parkinson takes the ball

Andrew says a bunch of young talent is coming through the Tasman Academy system as well as club rugby. Experienced players

Former All Black Wyatt Crockett has hung up the boots but another veteran, 39-year-old lock Alex Ainlee, after a year with Bay of Plenty, is back in Nelson with his family, a welcome addition for his experience and grit. Andrew says as a 92-game Mako, he’ll be motivated at the prospect of a century of games for Tasman. Tasman also get back halfback Jack Grooby from a 2019 season-ending injury. Andrew says a bunch of young talent is coming through the Tasman Academy system as well as club rugby. “We’re lucky to have so many Super players and when they come back all that experience and know-how is fed through to our academy and club players.” Such a strong core of professionalism also helps lure other youngsters to Tasman who can see a pathway to higher level rugby through local clubs. Andrew Goodman says Fetuli Paea is a good example; a player who wasn’t in the Tasman academy but played so well for his Waitohi club that he earned a Super contract with the Crusaders. The Covid-19 revised Super rugby season has been a blessing for players and coaches for the lack of jet-lagged, wearying international travel. But does that mean Andrew Goodman and his fellow coaches will inherit fresher Super players back into the Tasman set-up? Not likely, says Andrew. In fact, he says, such is the brutality of the Super Aotearoa competition, he’ll have to carefully manage the returning Mako players.

A huge thank you to all of our loyal sponsors!

Proud Sponsor of Tasman Mako

As a forest industry leader in Nelson Tasman and Marlborough, OneFortyOne (previously Nelson Forests) is intertwined with the environment and the communities in which we operate. We are proud to support local businesses and lots of community projects, large and small. We are also very proud sponsors of the Tasman Mako and recognise the role sport plays in promoting community health and social wellbeing. Go the mighty Mako! We all love supporting you here at OneFortyOne!

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All Blacks potential

The Mako can expect to lose some players to the All Blacks, although the Rugby Championship schedule had yet to be announced at the time WildTomato went to press. From top: Clockwise - Pari Pari Parkinson (with ball) with Mitch Hunt and Tyrel Lomax; Tamara Silcock (middle) supported by Pippa Andrews and Stephani Mitchell 54

“Playing New Zealand teams week in and out is like test match footy so we’ll have to be mindful about handling our Super players. But we have a good break of about four weeks before the start of Mitre 10.” Andrew says he can’t wait to see the smiles on the faces of the Super players as they return to Nelson and Blenheim. “The boys love coming back to Nelson, especially with the beautiful weather. They love getting out in the region. Some of them love their hunting and fishing and a chance to reconnect with friends and family. The guys are always happy to be back with teammates from different Super teams, and the club players too.” The Mako can expect to lose some players to the All Blacks, although the Rugby Championship schedule had yet to be announced at the time WildTomato went to print. However, it seems odds-on that Shannon Frizell will earn another black jersey while Will Jordan, after a stellar Super season with the Crusaders, is a genuine chance. David Havili, a standout performer for the Highlanders, is another possible although, cruelly, after returning from bowel surgery recovery he now has a broken thumb and may miss the first couple of Mitre 10 games. However, Tasman have added extra backline firepower with Crusaders All Black Sevu Reece and Blues powerhouse Mark Telea joining the squad while the Mako also welcome back former stalwarts, midfielder Kieron Fonotia and hooker Quentin MacDonald from overseas. Andrew Goodman has known it for a season or two but others are now beginning to understand the tremendous potential of lock Pari Pari Parkinson. “There aren’t many big men like him around and when he’s on, he’s a mongrel around the breakdown and tackle. He’s so strong. As a lineout forward, there’s no one really like him in New Zealand at the moment. It could be his turn for the All Blacks this year or the next. When he does, he’ll be a long-term All Black.”

A huge thank you to all of our loyal sponsors!

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud to have the Mako wearing our name. Celebrating 30 years of team support in 2020!

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Parkinson will again form a powerful locking combination with fellow Crusader Quinten Strange, another who looks to have an All Black future. Tasman has riches right across the squad and by the end of the Mitre 10 Cup it’s possible someone else may make a strong bid for international honours. So can Tasman win again? “Yes,” says Andrew Goodman without hesitation. “We have the squad to do it and the hunger to do it.” The season starts on September 12. A home game against Southland on October 25 will be an historic match in Nelson to celebrate 100 years of rugby there. The Mako will wear brown and white hoops to honour the local colours. Above: Fetuli Paea fends off the opposition

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NO 1 SUPPORTER

ou could call Murray Sturgeon a godfather of local rugby, such is his long-time support of, first, Nelson Bays, and now Tasman. Mako chief executive Tony Lewis says Murray Sturgeon’s unceasing sponsorship, via Nelson Pine Industries, is unmatched in New Zealand provincial rugby. The company’s Golden Edge (Medium Density Fibreboard) logo has been on the Mako jersey since it first appeared, in 2006, and is there for a 15th straight year in 2020. But Murray’s support goes a lot deeper than just the financial boost for the union. He is an avid Tasman rugby fan as well, rarely missing the main weekly training session for the Mako and a popular presence with the players. Rugby runs in the family. Murray’s brother John was former All Black manager, 1988-91. The 80-year-old stepped down in January after 35 years of running Nelson Pine Industries and is now chairman and executive director. For Tony Lewis, Murray Sturgeon, the elder statesman of local rugby, has also been a rugby business mentor and advisor. “Murray and Nelson Pine Industries are the best supporters of provincial rugby in the country and Murray is the most innovative, forward-thinking person I know in Nelson.” Through Murray Sturgeon, Nelson Pine Industries has also been a sponsor in arts and sports throughout the region and involved in numerous local projects, such as giving the Nelson Hospice a pre-Christmas donation of $20,000 for each of the past 20 years.

We are proud to be brand sponsors of the Tasman Mako and Tasman Female Rugby.

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Creating an iconic, community-minded literary feast

a unique, high-quality read, reflecting the demographic that makes up Nelson Tasman and Marlborough. They are all passionate too about animals (cats, dogs, horses, chickens and turtles), community causes, family and a variety of sports and recreational hobbies that have them involved in various sectors of the local community.

B Y I V Y LY N D E N | P H O T O G R A P H Y A I M E E J U L E S

Meet the team

ne of the most frequently asked questions is: ‘How did WildTomato come by its name?’ The answer to that lies in a distant past with a group of young men having a few drinks at a Nelson pub and tossing around business ideas. One such idea was to create a local magazine. Budding entrepreneur Murray Farquhar liked the idea so much he took it and ran with it. A few drinks later and the fledgling publication was named WildTomato, for no other reason than the group liked that name best out of all the possibilities raised on the night. Fast-forward more than 14 years and 168 issues later and WildTomato has evolved into a much-loved, iconic

publication that has weathered the tests of time and Covid-19 to cement its place as the Top of the South’s only lifestyle magazine. Behind the magazine and its new sister publication – a monthly e-Magazine – is a tight-knit team, and a wide network of contributors, advertising clients and avid readers, all with strong and wide-reaching community links. “We are a community publication and our community is the entire Top of the South,” says editor Lynda Papesch. “For us it is about quality, originality and going that extra mile to ensure a great read every time.” She and all of WildTomato’s full-time staff are passionate about the magazine and about ensuring that it continues to be

“We are a community publication and our community is the entire Top of the South.” LY N DA PA P E S C H , E D I TO R

CEO Lisa Friis is an avid skier and equestrienne, a dog lover and proud to still be a competitive netballer, not to mention being the proud mother of 15-year-old Charlotte. Lisa joined the team in late January this year, after living much of her working life overseas. Now she’s using her considerable banking, technology and business skills to continue the success of WildTomato and its marketing and social media arm WildMedia. Born in Auckland to Danish parents, Karen Elisabeth Friis – aka Lisa – is a first- generation Kiwi, unashamedly proud of her birth country, and also Nelson Tasman which she chooses to call home. Indeed, wanting her daughter Charlotte to have a ‘Kiwi kid’ upbringing is what brought her home to New Zealand and specifically to Nelson Tasman where her parents and two siblings also live.

W T + W I L D T O M AT O M E D I A LT D

Lisa sees some irony in her being dyslexic and working in the print/media industry, but subscribes to the ‘get on with it’ business ethos and has quickly become familiar with the magazine and its social media/marketing offshoot WildMedia. “Luckily, I’m part of an excellent team with an experienced editor, designer and a proofreader.” Like the rest of the team, she is immensely proud of the effort that goes into WildTomato and the end result. “WildTomato is such a quality product and there is nothing else to match it in the Top of the South. I love its quality, the feel of the magazine and its uniqueness."

Evolution

Lynda joined WildTomato in April 2016, taking over as editor from owner Jack Martin when he re-located home to the UK. “My brief was evolution, not revolution, for the magazine,” she recalls. A former newspaper deputy editor, sub-editor and advertising features coordinator, she found the jump to a lifestyle magazine exhilarating. “No more doom-and-gloom stories! Instead a muchloved platform from which to tell people stories, great business stories, success stories and focus on the positives in life. “Align that with fabulous photography and great design and it is easy to understand why WildTomato has become such an iconic publication.” Deciding the editorial content is not always easy because there are so many amazing stories in the community, but again that’s where having a team dedicated to the magazine is a huge bonus. “We all mix in different circles; in different parts of the community and play a variety of sports so between us we have access to a wide variety of ideas, events and people.” Designer and art director Hester Janssen is Nelson born and bred, and enjoys living in her home town. A trained graphic designer, she too worked in the newspaper industry initially, and with local wine companies, before joining WildTomato two years ago as its first full-time designer. An animal lover and keen outdoor explorer, Hester loves designing the pages of the magazine which celebrate our region and its offerings. “Being part of the creative and dynamic team at WildTomato is so satisfying, as no

Above: WildTomato print magazine stack Opposite page: The core WildTomato team from left - Hester Janssen, Lisa-Jane Kerr, Carrie Frew, Lisa Friis, Lynda Papesch and Patrick Connor

... a much loved platform from which to tell people stories, great business stories, success stories and focus on the positives in life. two days are ever the same and the drive towards deadlines and the end result is always rewarding,” she says. Advertising manager Carrie Frew proudly joined earlier this year after several years working with other South Island publications. Originally from Rangiora and latterly Kaikoura, she moved her teenage children north to settle in Nelson Tasman following the 2016 earthquake. A lover of the ocean, outdoors and hockey she firmly believes in the importance of advertising and in WildTomato’s ability to get businesses’ messages across to the right people. The newest team member is LisaJane Kerr or LJ as she is known. Another Kiwi returning home to live after years working abroad, LJ joined the team as a sales executive just after the team of five million emerged from lockdown. A keen skier, her background is in sales and marketing in the UK, France and elsewhere in Europe. An integral part of the team and the longest working for the magazine is lead ad designer Patrick Connor, who signed up more than six years ago. Originally from Canada, Pat is now firmly entrenched in Nelson Tasman life with his partner and young son. As well as designing advertisements for clients, he runs his own design company and handles WildMedia assignments whether it is organising advertisements,

videography, website design and content or personal company branding.

Looking ahead The magazine’s readers are continuing to increase and with the new monthly WildTomato e-Magazine created during Covid-19 lockdown, it now has an added platform to offer its advertising and business clients. “This augurs well for the future of the magazine,” says Lynda. “The last four years have seen the magazine’s size increase to regularly top 100 pages, in an age where other forms of print media such as newspapers have decreased and reduced in size and frequency.” Lisa agrees, adding with the Covid-19 crisis it may not be the optimal time to be in print media. “But this crisis is affecting us all and it is wonderful to be involved in something that is directly connected to the public and provides such a positive benefit; from bringing the community together, providing escapism with a great read and assisting businesses to reach their clients. I just love what we do.”

Contact www.wildtomato.co.nz

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for real people by real people is the vision and driving force behind Nelson Tasman and Marlborough’s FAVOURITE IT PROVIDER, BlueBerryIT. Working together to provide clients with fast, efficient and cost-effective outcomes, its dedicated team has firmly established BlueBerryIT as the Regions’ Favourite IT Provider, as evidenced by the company’s success at the 2019 Marlborough Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards, taking home both the Medium Business and Supreme Business awards. The BlueBerryIT story started more than a decade ago when the then fledgling company dared to name itself after a fruit, albeit one with numerous proven health benefits. Like its namesake, BlueBerry consistently brings numerous benefits to those who use its services. Established during a recession, its founders saw an opportunity to serve Nelson Tasman’swide-ranging businesses locally and better than anyone else. Its handson team has more than 80 years’ collective experience in the IT industry, working with companies of all sizes. Each member of the team is among the most qualified

Technology on your terms

and respected practitioners in their field and its training programme ensures that BlueBerryIT continues to hone its team’s skills and stay ahead of industry developments. BlueBerry’s demographic encompasses Nelson Tasman and Marlborough, with the team working both sides of the Whangamoa Saddle to deliver a service second to none. In addition to key partnerships with Microsoft, HP and Apple, the company also has excellent relationships with local organisations such as The Chamber of Commerce (both in Nelson Tasman and Marlborough) and the Nelson Regional Development Agency. General Manager Allan Willoughby explains.

“It’s not just about being a techie; we’re business people just like you. We talk your language and we understand what it’s like running a business. “And because we’re independent you can be sure the solution we recommend puts your business first.” Key to its success are the partnerships that BlueBerryIT has built not just with its suppliers but also its multitude of clients across a wide range of industries and levels.

blueberryit.co.nz

BlueBerryIT is at the forefront when it comes to professional IT help and innovative solutions. Looking back, 2013 proved a pivotal year for the business which initially worked across national and international markets. That year BlueBerry decided its best business opportunity was right here in Nelson Tasman and Marlborough by working hard to becoming the ‘The Region’s Favourite IT Provider’. Its Marlborough office opened in 2014, cementing its position in the tech support industry, and that same year it won the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce’s Medium-Sized Business of the Year Award, proving it was definitely on track. Since then it has continued to service the Top of the South. “In a nutshell, BlueBerry works from our Nelson and Marlborough-based offices to deliver technology solutions such as systems design, disaster recovery and business continuity solutions, annual planning and budgeting road maps, and procurement plans,” says Allan. BlueBerry Director, Richard Butler is one of the company’s founding fathers. He started BlueBerryIT in 2008 with three others and a desire to do something a little different. Richard works closely with both the management team and external advisors to set the direction for the business and ensure that its stays on track. An active mountain biker, Richard is also a talented musician, playing in a number of local bands. Led by its General Manager who has over two decades of Sales, Marketing and Management experience across a diverse range of markets and industries. The BlueBerry team is a formidable line-up of experienced professionals who know what they are doing, and use their skills to help others do well. • Technical Consultant, Phill Urquhart who has more than 20 years’ industry experience • NMIT Graduate and Solutioneer, Paul Gabites who joined BlueBerry in 2009 after successfully completing his degree in information technology • Operational Support member Justin Paterson who started with BlueBerry in May 2014 • Solutioneer, Simon Cox who has also worked in the industry for over 20 years

Ongoing support is important too, delivered through BerryCare Agreements to its diverse client base. Allan adds that many small and medium business information environments have grown with the business without consideration of the longer-term effect of not having a plan to allow for how that growth should be managed. Often BlueBerry is called on to provide a complete suite of IT services to bring each business’s IT up to date. “If you need it, whether it’s hardware, software or support services, we have it.”

BlueBerry’s initial approach is to review what is in use currently, discover any real or perceived limitations, identify who needs access to what, and work with their client to develop a plan to effectively manage Information Technology requirements. “The continual strategic management of that plan alongside BlueBerry’s account management team and senior technical consultant, means that your IT should always be in step with your business needs,” adds Allan. Combined, the team provides a winning formula for both BlueBerry and its multitude of clients. “It’s our job to know everything about IT, so you can concentrate on your core business. Our team comprises highly qualified, real people who know how to help you in a way that makes sense to you,” explains Allan. “Real people providing IT service and support for other real people.” CONTACT 03 548 4923 | blueberryit.co.nz 1/60 Achilles Ave, Nelson, 7010 Follow us on:

• Account Manager, Louise Taylor brings previous experience from the UK market to the region • Computer Science graduate James Burch who has an extensive varied work history in the commercial and academic sectors • Operations Manager, Andy Weaver has a wide variety of experience in Service Desk, support, planning, procurement and software implementation • Solutioneer, William Rayner, a graduate of the Bachelor of ICT from ARA Institute of Technology in Canterbury • Solutioneer, Bruno Mazzanti who hails from Sao Paulo and has made New Zealand his home. Bruno has worked across both BlueBerry offices in Te Tau Ihu

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2019

Supreme Business Award Winner

Medium Business Award Winner

• Accounts and Adminstration, is looked after byLouise Knight who has been part of the BlueBerryIT team since 2013.

SharePoint Solutions • Small Business Specialist VMware Partner • Microsoft Partner • HP Partner 69

WELLBEING

The sunshine vitamin B Y E M I LY H O P E

• Those who have naturally darker skin • Those who spend more time indoors such as those who have compromised mobility or those who are ill • Those who wear clothing that covers large portions of the body (ie for religious or cultural reasons) • Babies who are born to women who are vitamin D deficient themselves.

Above: Salmon and salad 70

Photo: Supplied

ow that spring is here, the days are longer, the air is warmer and many of us will find newfound motivation to enjoy more time outdoors. This is a good thing! For the sun is our main source of vitamin D. Vitamin D was first discovered back in the 1920s when scientists were searching out a cure for rickets – a disease which causes softening of the bones in children. We now know that adequate levels of vitamin D are needed for efficient absorption of calcium and phosphorus, both of which are needed for strong bones and teeth. Vitamin D is also needed for optimal nerve and muscle function and is thought to play a role in supporting our mental health. Put simply, vitamin D is made by the body when sunlight touches our skin causing a reaction to take place that converts an inactive form of vitamin D into the active form. However, for this to occur the sun must directly touch our bare skin (ie without sunscreen or clothing). During high sunshine times of the year (ie spring and summer), most people in New Zealand tend to get enough vitamin D through adequate sun exposure. However, during the cooler months, more people tend to have inadequate vitamin D levels. This is especially so coming into spring at the end of a long winter. At the time of the last national nutrition survey, around five percent of New Zealand adults were deficient in vitamin D and a further 27 percent were found to have less than the recommended blood level of vitamin D. There are people who are at an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency such as:

Due to our geographical location, we need to be mindful of the risk of exposing our skin to the sun. You can ensure adequate vitamin D levels by: 1. Ensuring sensible sun exposure 2. Enjoying vitamin D-rich foods 3. Supplementing with vitamin D when necessary.

obtain a proportion of their vitamin D from food. Surprisingly, like humans, mushrooms generate vitamin D if left in the sun. Just by leaving your mushrooms in sunlight for 30-60 minutes, they will start producing vitamin D which then becomes a source for the body once consumed.

Sensible Sun Exposure Due to our geographical location, we need to be mindful of the risk of exposing our skin to the sun. It is recommended that during the warmer months (September to April) sun protection and clothing is worn between 10am and 4pm and that skin is exposed to the sun for vitamin D outside of these times when it’s safest to do so. From May through until August, some daily sun exposure during the middle of the day is recommended. A good guide to aim for is around 15 minutes of sun exposure to bare face, hands and arms if warm enough to do so.

Vitamin D-rich Foods While there are foods that supply some vitamin D such as oily fish, egg yolk, milk, butter, liver and vitamin D-fortified foods, most people only

Supplementation Supplementation with vitamin D may be necessary for at-risk people or those who are unable to enjoy suitable exposure to the sun. It is best to speak to your GP about supplementation as vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and therefore is stored in the body. This means that toxicity from supplements can be a risk if you don’t pay attention to how much you are consuming from all sources. An upper limit of 80mcg (or 3200IU) of vitamin D from supplements has been set to avoid excess. So just be mindful if you are taking a vitamin D supplement. But above all, now is the perfect time of year to be investing in our health and enjoying some lovely sunshine to boost vitamin D levels after winter! www.hopenutrition.org.nz

MY GARDEN

Good gardens mean doing your homework BY BRENDA WEBB

ardeners must do their homework on soil conditions, plant tolerances and growth habits, according to Nelson nurseryman John Penny. “Don’t rely on the garden centre description – do your homework from several different sources and you will reap the rewards.” Speaking at his popular Rapaura Springs Garden Marlborough workshop in November, John extolled the benefits of gardening saying there were many, including stress relief, better mental health and wellbeing and the chance to exercise. Hard landscaping needed to be a focus of any garden he said, with pathways, fences, edging and trellising all key features. Even vegetable plots were enhanced by being in raised beds or edged with hard materials such as brick, block or timber. As for the garden itself, the choice of plants and how they were put together was important to create the wow factor. Gardeners needed to ask themselves whether there was enough interest year-round. “Most of all, it is your garden for your enjoyment so it must produce happiness and Above: Planning and research combine to make great gardens

you must take the time to enjoy it,” he said. John has a degree in botany and has worked as a teacher and landscaper, and spent years managing nurseries including Trents, Waimea and Thirkettle. His vast knowledge was soaked up by the attentive and appreciative workshop attendees. Putting the garden together was crucial and while some gardeners were naturals at doing so, others needed help. “The key really is getting the right plant combinations in the right proportions and setting it all off properly with neat landscaping, tidy edging and well-mown lawns,” he said.

Decide your style Flow and continuity were important – start at the house and work out using your eye to tell you where to plant. Gardeners also needed to work out their personal garden style and make sure it complemented the house. A cottage-style garden suited an older house and featured abundant plantings of roses, perennials and annuals with lots of colour including cosmos, delphiniums, hollyhocks, penstemons and salvias. In contrast, a formal garden suited a more modern house with crisp lines and involved a balance of design with symmetry

Trends today were towards greater use of natives, more edible plants and more foliage. and structure provided by lots of neatly clipped hedges and formal plantings. Formal plantings usually meant repeat plantings en masse in geographic design rather than the soft contours of a cottage garden. Contemporary gardens were crisp and clean and urban gardens were small and functional suiting the busy lives of their occupants. Perennials were indispensable in a garden while John loved natives for their hardiness. Trends today were towards greater use of natives, more edible plants and more foliage. John’s advice to gardeners in existing gardens was to work with what you’ve got. “Select plants that grow well in your landscape and environment and if they do well, plant more,” he said. “Look around and see what does well.” Gardeners lucky enough to start from scratch had to provide shelter and frost protection and look at adding soil additives and irrigation. John’s favourite plants included camellia, rhododendron, hydrangea, hosta, hellebore, magnolia, flowering cherry, fruit trees and natives including coprosma, hebe and grisilinea. 71

Photo: Steve Hussey

D I N E O U T AWA R D S

Start voting now for your favourite eateries B Y LY N D A PA P E S C H

ildTomato’s annual Dine Out Awards are back with a new major sponsor and a few changes to the categories, including the addition of the inaugural people’s choice section. Now known as the Ōra King Dine Out Awards, voting is already open for the 12th annual awards and will run through until mid-September, after which the judging panels will convene to decide our favourite quality eateries. The winners will be announced in WildTomato’s November issue. WildTomato sales executive Lisa-Jane (LJ) Kerr says the new partnership with Ōra King is a great fit for the Dine Out Awards which represent the best of Nelson Tasman and Marlborough’s restaurants, cafés, bars and other hospitality venues. Lockdown provided a chance to have a good look at the various categories, she adds, with the end result that a special people’s choice section has been added and previous categories tweaked to be more reflective of the hospitality industry across the Top of the South. Above: Last year’s supreme award-winner Urban Oyster Bar & Eatery Opposite page: Ōra King salmon is used by chefs across the Top of the South 72

“That Nelson Tasman and Marlborough have such excellent fare and service is a testament to those who make the hospitality industry their trade. The Dine Out Awards recognise not just the restaurants, cafés, music, beverage and food outlets, but also the owners and staff.”

Ōra King salmon Ōra King is the premium food service brand of the New Zealand King Salmon Company and is used by top chefs and restaurants not just internationally but throughout Nelson Tasman and Marlborough, making it a great match for the awards. Foodservice Marketing Manager Anne-Marie Friis agrees. She says that while Ōra King salmon is sold internationally to countries including the United States of America, Japan and Australia, the salmon is very much a Nelson and Marlborough product.

“We’re located in Nelson Tasman and our salmon farms are in the Marlborough Sounds so it is really important that we have excellent ongoing relationships with the local chefs and our entire hospitality industry. “We work closely with local chefs. One of our key objectives is to have our Ōra King salmon in all the top-quality restaurants in the region,” she says. “Before Covid-19 struck, we frequently brought international chefs to Nelson Tasman and Marlborough to learn about our facilities and experience local restaurants. “When we were approached to sponsor the Dine Out Awards we immediately said yes. It is a great partnership and helps give recognition to the amazing venues we have here in the Nelson/Marlborough region. “We hope the Dine Out Awards encourage more people to go out and try our range of local restaurants. The dining scene across the Top of the South might be small but it is up there internationally.” Anne-Marie says that post-Covid-19 lockdown, it is even more important to support local restaurants and chefs and

“The Dine Out Awards recognise not just the restaurants, cafés, music, beverage and food outlets, but also the owners and staff.” L I S A - J A N E K E R R , W I L D T O M AT O S A L E S E X E C U T I V E

Photo: Supplied

voting for them in the Dine Out Awards is one way of doing that.

Previous winners Last year’s supreme winner and best restaurant Nelson was Urban Oyster Bar & Eatery in Hardy St. ‘The place to go’ was the judges’ verdict when making their decision. Owner/chef Matt Bouterey is highly regarded in the local food scene for his past and present restaurants and dedication to delivering creative dishes using local produce. A Michelin-trained chef, Matt has worked with some of the greats including Anthony Demetre, Gary Rhodes and Marco Pierre White. Highly commended last year were Arden Bar & Kitchen and Hopgood’s Restaurant. In Marlborough the best restaurant was Arbour at Fairhall. Judges agreed that Arbour is a modern and relaxed environment with innovative cuisine, an extensive wine list and warm, friendly service. Business partners Liz Buttimore and Bradley Hornby head the

“The dining scene across the Top of the South might be small but it is up there internationally.” AN N E - MAR I E F R I I S , FO O DSE RV I C E MAR KET I N G MANAG E R

team at Arbour and love that its rural Marlborough setting means Arbour is surrounded by passionate people producing exceptional wine and food. A multi-award-winning restaurant, Arbour’s menus all showcase local producers and Marlborough stories. “Marlborough food is something very special. We have products here that, when combined, create dishes that simply can’t be found anywhere else. This gives our restaurant a truly regional flavour,” says Liz.

Categories for voting

Voting is easy. Just visit the WildTomato website and enter the name of your favourite establishment in each category. Voters can enter one category or all of them.

The 2020 categories are: • Best Fine Dining Nelson Tasman • Best Fine Dining Marlborough • Best Casual Dining Nelson Tasman • Best Casual Dining Marlborough • Best Specialty Restaurant Nelson Tasman • Best Specialty Restaurant Marlborough • Best Wine Experience Nelson Tasman • Best Wine Experience Marlborough • Best Cocktail Experience Nelson Tasman • Best Cocktail Experience Marlborough • People’s Choice Nelson Tasman • People’s Choice Marlborough Visit: www.wildtomato.co.nz/dineout

Past Supreme Award winners: 2019: Urban Oyster Bar & Eatery, Nelson (Best Restaurant Nelson) 2018: Al Fresco at Upper Trafalgar St, Nelson (Best Music Venue)

Photo: Supplied

2017: Arbour, Marlborough (Best Restaurant Marlborough) 2016: Hopgood’s, Nelson (Best Restaurant Nelson) 2015: Gramado’s (Best Restaurant)

MY KITCHEN

Salt & vinegar potatoes with caramelised onion cream This tasty winter salad is great on a cold day for brunch, lunch or dinner. BY MADAME LUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S KITCHEN

Serves 4 Salad Ingredients 3 medium-size agria potatoes, chopped into bite-size pieces 1 cup white vinegar 3tbsp olive oil Salt and pepper Large handful of beans, topped and tailed 1/3 cup pitted kalamata olives, roughly chopped 100g chilli feta 2 cups baby spinach leaves Caramelised Onion Cream Ingredients 1 onion, finely sliced 25g butter 1tbsp white wine vinegar 1tsp Worcestershire sauce 2tbsp parsley, finely chopped 1/3 cup good-quality yoghurt Salt and pepper Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180c fan bake. 2. In a medium-size saucepan,

combine the potatoes, 1 cup of vinegar and enough water to cover the potatoes. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook the potatoes until they are tender but still hold their shape. Drain the potatoes and transfer to a lined baking tray, drizzle with 2tbsp olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 30 minutes or until the potatoes are golden and crunchy.

3. To make the caramelised onion

cream, heat a small saucepan over medium heat and add the butter. Once it has melted, add the sliced onion and sautĂŠ for 25 minutes or until the onions are soft and caramelised. You will need to stir them every few minutes to avoid them catching on the bottom of the pan. Once your onions are cooked, roughly chop them and set aside. To finish the caramelised onion cream, combine the white wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, yoghurt, chopped onions and season with salt and pepper. Stir until well mixed.

4. To cook the beans, heat a small

saucepan over medium heat with 1tbsp of olive oil and pan fry the beans until they are slightly soft and have a little colouring to them. Remove from heat and set aside.

5. To assemble the salad, scatter

a serving bowl or plate with the spinach leaves. Top with the potatoes, beans and olives. Dollop over the caramelised onion cream and crumble over the feta.

6. Serve warm. www.madamelus.co.nz

C R E AT I V E C H E F

Serving up culinary lessons & fine cuisine BY DENISE IRVINE

Above: Chef Ali Metcalfe

Photo: Daniel Allen

hef Ali Metcalfe reads recipes for inspiration and pleasure then puts the books aside to cook and create. Tonight she’s whisking up a salad of baby carrots and spinach. The carrots are roasted with cumin and olive oil, tossed in a bowl with baby spinach leaves and fresh medjool dates, then drizzled with a dressing of olive oil, honey, lemon, garlic and rosewater. She tastes the dressing, adds a splash more of this and that, pronounces it done, and serves the salad alongside poached orange roughy and roast kumara wedges topped with dukkah. “I’m self-taught,” she says, as she plates the feast. “I’ve learnt so much from a lifetime of travel and creating.” Ali brings decades of experience to her kitchen at Te Koi The Lodge at Bronte, the award-winning luxury lodge on Bronte Peninsula near Nelson, that she runs with husband Ian. She is the executive chef, Ian is the host and sommelier, and the lodge is in the throes of refocusing for the New Zealand market in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw its previously all-international clientele disappear from the booking sheets. Ali shares her kitchen with sous chefs Jordan Fenwick and Angela Johnson, who she trained. Meals at Te Koi are frequently decided on the day, using whatever is freshest and best in the kitchen garden or available at nearby markets.

Ali cooks with the seasons; when tomatoes are flush, she teams them with basil and baby bocconcini from Nelson cheesemaker ViaVio for a simple, summery soup, or uses them in a myriad of other ways. She loves local mussels, steams them in white wine and adds fragrant fresh herbs to serve. Another winner is delicious omelette filled with saffron milk cap mushrooms from nearby Neudorf Mushrooms. “People want real food,” Ali says. “I love honest flavours, nothing contrived, and over the years my fresh food ideology hasn’t changed.”

Inspirational chefs Culinary heroes include author-chefs Yotam Ottolenghi and Stephanie Alexander but her earliest mentor was her mother, who was always surrounded by recipe books. “She had natural talent; she made pastry from scratch and did beautiful baking. She always encouraged me to cook.”

Ali’s first commercial food venture was a delicatessen in Hamilton – Delicut Foods – which she opened in the mid-1970s. She met Ian when he took over Anderson’s Restaurant, and he commissioned Ali to make baklava and other specialities. They married two years later and Ali joined Ian at Anderson’s. They later combined their skills to run other successful restaurants in Hamilton, and then headed to Europe. Ali recalls using a wood-fired oven at an old Italian farmhouse overlooking Florence, slow-cooking a leg of lamb with red wine, anchovies, whole cloves of garlic, baby onions and tomatoes. The dish has become a lodge favourite. Ali will share her knowledge in upcoming artisan culinary packages to be offered by Te Koi. She’ll teach some of her favourite dishes, and the emphasis, as always, will be on fresh, tasty food. And chef will supply recipes on this occasion! For more details: tekoithelodge.com

INTERACTIVE COOKING CLASSES & DINING OPTIONS 133 Bronte Road East – 03 540 2422

www.tekoithelodge.com

WINE

Wine awards judges hit the provinces B Y LY N D A PA P E S C H

ater this month the results of the 2020 New World Wine Awards will be announced. One of New Zealand’s largest annual wine competitions, the awards deviated for the first time in their 18 years by holding judging sessions in three regions, including Marlborough. More than 1200 wines were judged over 10 days of non-stop tasting at events in key wine regions – Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough and Central Otago – instead of the usual Wellington-only venue. Each region was the judging hub for wines grown and made in the surrounding areas, while Auckland was the venue for its regional entries as well as international, sparkling and emerging wines. The change was designed to ensure the awards could continue safely and effectively during the country’s evolving Covid-19 response. This year’s awards attracted strong entries and support from wineries all over the world. Chair of Judges Jim Harré says the judging team, made up of 18 independent wine experts from around the country, was delighted to see award entries exceed expectations and hold strong to previous records during such a challenging year for many businesses. “New Zealand’s wine industry is an incredibly important part of our economy, and like so many sectors, it has been working through a difficult period with many unknowns. It is encouraging to see such a significant number of local wineries, as well as many of our regular entrants from Australia and beyond, put their wines forward. “The Top 50 ranked wines will enjoy the prestige of a gold medal that is Above: New World Wine Awards judge Jane Cooper, wine sampling 76

This year’s awards attracted strong entries and support from wineries all over the world. recognised and trusted by consumers, as well as the nationwide sales opportunity through New World supermarkets. For some, particularly smaller wineries or those that rely heavily on strained export or hospitality markets, a Top 50 win can go a long way in supporting and growing their business.”

Marlborough judging The Marlborough judging was the largest of the four regional events, with well over 400 wines from Marlborough and Nelson being assessed over two days during July. In addition to the region’s ever-popular sauvignon blanc, which made up the bulk of the entries by style, pinot gris and rosé are other wines to watch. Mr Harré says the shift to regional events has allowed the judges to experience the distinctive styles and unique characteristics of wines grown in specific areas of the country. “We’ve continued to see big increases in pinot gris and rosé entries in the awards, reflecting consumer demand and

increasing production in New Zealand. Interestingly, just a decade ago, neither of these were high on wineries’ or most wine drinkers’ radars, but both have skyrocketed in popularity since. Pinot gris is now New Zealand’s third most produced white variety, and the rise of rosé has experienced double-digit percentage growth in recent years with no signs of stopping.” Marlborough judges included Kyle Thompson from Saint Clair Family Estates, Stu Marfell from Foley Family Wines, Simon Waghorne of Astrolabe Wines, consulting winemaker Jeff Clarke, Michael Bann from Rapaura Springs and Jane Cooper of Alexia. They sniffed, swirled and sipped (then spat) their way through the entries by grape variety, judging each wine on colour, taste and smell. The top ranked silver and all gold scoring wines will be reviewed by a second panel of judges in Auckland and the full results will be announced later this month.

BREWS

A behemoth task to set up own brewery BY MARK PREECE

hank goodness for boring government legal jobs – because without them Andrew Childs mightn’t have moved to Auckland to start the Behemoth Brewing Company. Now, seven years after he quit his legal career and 12 months after a successful crowdfunding campaign, Behemoth is getting its own brewery and restaurant. Andrew started out homebrewing seven years ago and won “a bunch of awards”, before giving in to the bug and moving to Auckland. It was there, while working for wholesale brewing company Imake, that Andrew started Behemoth in his spare time. It has grown from there, and “with the help of last year’s Pledgeme campaign raising us $2 million, we are well on our way to building our brewery, bar and restaurant here in Mount Eden,” Andrew says. That means Behemoth will reduce its reliance on contract breweries such as Steam Brewing, Deep Creek, Parrotdog and 8-Wired. “This will bring more of the brewing in-house,” says Andrew. “It’s been a dream of mine and now it’s finally happening.”

Export success Behemoth Brewing started by distributing its beer “with great local distribution, like New World and Pak ‘n’ Save, and we export to 12 countries,” says Andrew. “While most breweries start as a brew pub and expand out, I guess we have done the opposite.” From a humble beginning of around 1,000 litres every two to three months, Behemoth has grown to about 650,000 litres last year, with up to two releases a week. “There have been about 232 different brews

Above: Andrew Childs

over the seven years Behemoth has been operating,” says Andrew.

More coming With plans afoot to make Mount Eden the mothership, and to open more throughout the country, we’ve all got something to look forward to. “Punters will soon be able to enjoy their favourite beer and look through the glass windows into the brewery,” says Andrew. Combine that with a slab of the one tonne of Wagyu beef that Hannah, his butcher wife, already has ageing in the restaurant chiller of their onsite butchery, Andrew says, “I am already looking forward to the food and beer matching evenings.” While Aucklanders will benefit from the brewpub, we can thank Behemoth’s well-developed distribution channels that make them local. Behemoth’s big winner in the top 30 of the recent New World beer and cider awards was their Me Time Mosaic Hazy IPA – a singlehopped, hazy IPA with 6.8% ABV. “It’s part of a series which shows off the American hop Mosaic, it’s bloody good. If you like IPAs I would really recommend it,” says Andrew. And that’s not all that was shown off at the recent beer and cider awards – here are four more

Andrew started out homebrewing seven years ago and won “a bunch of awards”, before giving in to the bug and moving to Auckland. of Behemoth’s that made the highly commended category:

Lid Ripper Hazy IPA, 6.9% ABV. They say: Our hazy, unfiltered IPA. Using a stupid amount of American hops and an English ale yeast, this beer is extremely juicy and aromatic. Rip the lid off one!

Brain Smiles Pale Ale, 5.4% ABV. They say: Mosaic and Citra hopped. Lower in alcohol than our usual hazy IPAs and stupidly easy to drink. Like pouring smiles on your brain.

ImPEACHment Sour Ale, 5.5% ABV. They say: Peach sour. Hazy as anything, uses 200kg of Golden Queen peaches on top of a kettle-soured pale malt and wheat malt base. Impeach that idiot! And freedom never tasted better than their 5.6% ABV, Freedom APA. 77

Purchase an Ōra King salmon entrée from one of these Nelson restaurants and receive a second one FREE! Wafu Bistro Hopgood’s Parts and Service Harbour Light Bistro Boat Shed Café Mama Cod

Numbers are limited. Book now. Mention this ad. 78

W T + C B D E AT E R Y

Back in business with great food, personable staff and a new location BY BRENDA WEBB | PHOTOGRAPHY ADENA TEKA

roviding a fantastic range of deliciously fresh and high-quality food is number one for Blenheim’s CBD Eatery owners Mike and Tania Godsall. But right up there also is having a great team of staff with bubbly and bright personalities who listen to and provide for their customers’ wants and needs. “We serve great food and have a fantastic team who provide service with a real personal touch,” says Tania. The Blenheim couple was devastated when its café in The Forum burnt down in February. In a relatively short time, it had become incredibly popular developing its own loyal following, particularly amongst workers in the central business district. In 2018 it was named best café in Marlborough and won the small business and supreme business categories in the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

That all came crashing down with the fire, then Covid-19, but undeterred, the Godsalls found empty premises in Queen St and set about planning a new eatery. They had to completely fit out and furnish the empty building and customers today are greeted with a slick European-style interior with warm mint walls (matching the coffee cups) and a smart cabinet that beautifully displays their massive range of freshly prepared food.

New beginnings It was a bit like Phoenix rising from the ashes – the Godsalls knew they had to reopen as quickly as possible and when the chance came to move from The Forum to the next block in Queen St, they didn’t hesitate. “When you are in the hospitality business you can’t sit around and wait and we knew we had to be up and running for summer,” says Mike. “We also had our staff to think of and wanted to get them back to work as soon as we could.” Their new eatery has a slightly different emphasis to the CBD Café. When they first opened, their plan was to serve gourmet food and barista coffee on a ‘grab and go’ basis. They soon developed a loyal following of people who wanted to sit in and eat and became so popular they started opening Sundays. “You do have to know your market and listen to them,” says Tania. “You don’t do what you think you should, you listen to what your clientele are saying and we did that and evolved and expanded to suit.”

From top: Clockwise - Inside the new CBD Eatery premises in Queen St; owners Mike and Tania Godsall

Both Mike and Tania are London City and Guilds trained chefs with Mike spending time in the army and Tania in the air force. Both have cooked for a huge range of people including dignitaries, from fine dining for small numbers through to mass catering. They know food well and their philosophy is to use only the very best ingredients for a wholesome range of gourmet food. “For example, we could buy cheap cuts of meat but we go to Meaters and get the very best so yes, our prices might be a bit higher but that is because we use the best,” says Mike. With the bigger premises in Queen St, Mike and Tania are able to offer more in the way of out catering and even have a special corner dedicated to the sale of their very own handmade pantry items such as delectable relish and their famous black sauce. They can offer catering for small through to large events, whether they are weddings, funerals or workplace shouts. They don’t have a designated menu, much preferring to sit down with people and discuss their wants and needs and budgets. At CBD Eatery they have a range of glutenfree options as well as freshly prepared salads, sandwiches, bagels, pies, cakes and scones. They are increasingly popular for a brunch or lunch venue but still have fantastic espresso coffee for those who are on the run.

Contact 03 577 7300 www.cbdcafe.nz

Photo: Graeme Murray

D E S T I NAT I O N C H R I S T C H U R C H

An exciting new vibe in Christchurch With New Zealand-based vacations and staycations on our radar, heading south to Christchurch offers a myriad of exciting activities in a city that has sprung back to life after the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Ivy Lynden has some suggestions about what to do and where to go.

or those enjoying a resurgence in travel, how about a trip to a city also enjoying a major resurgence. Since much of its inner city – beautiful stone buildings and all – were reduced to rubble a decade ago, Christchurch has morphed into a new era with urban regeneration giving birth to exciting new activities, structures and opportunities. Many of the original attractions of this Christchurch, known for its English heritage, remain, although some have had to be resurrected. Visitors can still take a punt on the Avon River that flows through the city centre, can still enjoy a walk in Hagley Above: Cheerful casual dining Opposite page: Clockwise from top - Garden and park walks; contemporary architecture; hospitality hotspots; tram 1888 – a blue R-class tram from Sydney 80

Park and the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and take an historic tram ride in the heart of the city. Repairing the damage and recreating the city is work ongoing, yet the last decade has seen it constantly evolving with an exciting vibe. There’s always something new to see and do. A wander through the centre highlights amazing street art, contemporary architecture and a busy hospitality scene amid lots of green spaces. Modern buildings sit side-by-side with historic survivors and everywhere there is a sense of energy. The city’s post-industrial buildings are being converted into hospitality hotspots, a new tram is wending its way through the streets, and there’s plenty to catch the eye. A journey in one of Christchurch’s beautifully-restored heritage trams is a great way to check out the changing cityscape. The newest addition to Christchurch Attractions’ eye-catching fleet is Tram 1888 – a blue R-class tram from Sydney with an interesting past. Take a ride and discover more. Or check out the city’s electric car sharing scheme. Yes, Christchurch is now home to the country’s first fully battery-powered electric car sharing scheme, which lets people hire vehicles at different points in the city. Christchurch has heaps of fun family activities and here are the top picks from Christchurch NZ Tourism Media.

A wander through the centre highlights amazing street art, contemporary architecture and a busy hospitality scene amid lots of green spaces.

Photos: Christchurch City Council

Learn to Surf Hit the waves and learn how to hang 10! New Brighton and Sumner are great spots to learn to surf, with lessons and gear hire available for all ages and stages. Have fun in a relaxed atmosphere, and be prepared for lots of laughs.

Pet the Animals Arion Farm Education Park is a great spot to get up close and personal to a variety of animals. For a small fee, you can purchase a bag of animal food to feed the animals as you are walking around the park. You can even become an adoptive parent of animals with all funds going towards food, vet care and maintenance of animal homes.

Discover Antarctica The International Antarctic Centre transports a slice of this astounding continent to Christchurch, with a range of immersive experiences that allow everyday visitors to see, touch, feel and fall in love with Antarctica. Brave an Antarctic storm, go off-road in a Hägglund, befriend a husky and mingle with the penguins.

Get up Close to Amazing Animals Orana Wildlife Park is New Zealand’s only open-range zoo. The park is huge, definitely an all-day affair! View lions, rhino and tigers … the list goes on. An all-time favourite has to be hand-feeding the giraffe.

Ride the Tram Take a step back in time and ride the iconic Christchurch Tram. The restored historic trams are a fun way to explore the city, with great commentary. Hop on and off as much as you like!

Go like the Wind Velocity Karts are easy to learn and full tuition is provided before you get behind the wheel. Go on and embrace that nor-wester!

See Native Wildlife Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is a great way to learn about native birds as well as seeing and feeding farmyard animals.

Laser Up Laser Strike is unique, interactive and fun in a darkened room complete with fast-paced music and moody lighting. If you’re a culture vulture then Christchurch is your style of city with Ron Mueck’s lifelike sculptures or Ronnie van Hout’s giant hand, plus a fabulous selection of high-end galleries. Wander over to the Christchurch Art Gallery, then visit The Arts Centre to soak up the atmosphere of the stone buildings. Catch a film at the gorgeous Lumiere Cinema, and then finish the night with fine wines and dinner at Cellar Door. Christchurch boasts some of the most spectacular outdoors scenery and some of the best activities for thrill seekers. Suggestions include a drive over to Taylors Mistake to catch some epic sunrise and sea views on the Godley Head Track, a drive to Lyttelton for brunch, or a trip over the Port Hills to the Christchurch Adventure Park where you can find adrenaline on a downhill mountain bike or the country’s longest zipline. Hire bikes if you need. Cool off with craft beer and fine wines at the on-site café. Or if you’d like an animal lover’s day out then how about starting at the International Antarctic Centre, followed by a trip to the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve to check out the kiwis and tuatara. 81

SPORTS

Enjoying a run in the park BY PHIL BARNES

Background Runners and walkers travelled from Wellington, the Hutt Valley and Christchurch to take part in the inaugural event. From then on the event continued with what was initially a small base of runners, mainly from the Marlborough Harriers club. “But after people started to hear about it numbers have grown to between 60 and 80 people, especially in summer,” Phil says. “Over the summer it surprises me that more than half of our entrants are from overseas. “Some people do as many parkruns as possible in different places as they tour around the country.” Phil says as New Zealand parkruns are affiliated to the parkrun organisation

Photo: Supplied

he 5km Blenheim parkrun, a free weekly family-friendly community event, is back in action after a four month break due to Covid-19. The restart coincided with the fourth anniversary of the event. Event director Phil Muir says while many people turn up to race, the event is not about being first. “Some people run, some walk and some go with family, take a push chair and walk the dog. It helps people get motivated and active.” Parkruns are free community events that have spread all over the world. The first one was held in Bushy Park, Teddington, London in 2004 and they have since spread to 22 countries. The first New Zealand parkrun was held in Lower Hutt in 2012. There are now 30 separate venues holding parkruns in New Zealand although Blenheim is the only one in the top half of the South Island. Everyone is welcome to come along whether they walk, run, volunteer or just come to watch. Phil set up the Blenheim parkrun in 2016 and has remained event director ever since.

internationally, the most challenging aspect about setting up the Blenheim event was getting the administration sorted out. “There was a requirement to have the course officially measured. We also needed a health and safety plan and any safety hazards had to be identified. For instance, the international parkrun rules state you cannot run along a pavement that is next to a road.” The same course is used each week. However, the area is prone to flooding. If this occurs they use an alternative course. Phil says the event requires between three and five volunteers to help with time keeping and marshalling. It was a challenge initially to get volunteers to help out. This put a lot of pressure on Phil himself as he volunteered for the first 130 races.

Monthly event Above: Event director Phil Muir, right, with event supporter Rowan Ingpen enjoying refreshments after a recent run 82

The Blenheim parkrun reaches its 200th event in September and so far Phil has only been able to run in 10 of the events.

... There are now 30 separate venues holding parkruns in New Zealand although Blenheim is the only one in the top half of the South Island. However, he says it has now become easier for him to get people to help. “Once people became comfortable with knowing what was needed they were happy to help out once a month. “And now we have an understanding that if people do 10 parkruns then they should volunteer once a month. “After all, it is free.” For those interested in taking part, the Blenheim parkrun starts at 8am each Saturday on the corner of High St and Symonds St by the amphitheatre by the Taylor River. Although everyone is welcome, if people want their times recorded and results emailed to them, they need to register online at www.parkrun.co.nz.

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SPORTS CLUBS

Football – the universal game for everyone

Photo: Tim Cuff

Nelson Tasman and Marlborough are home to numerous football clubs, with thousands of players ranging from four years to 65 years and possibly older. Phil Thompson, president of FC Nelson, explains about one organisation of avid players. What is your football club? FC Nelson is an amalgamation of four Nelson Tasman football clubs which combined in 2011. The former clubs were the Tahuna Juniors, Metro, Nelson City and Nelson United, whose players are now all under the one banner of FC Nelson. The amalgamation was to simplify and provide more community accessibility to the game of football at both social and competitive levels. It was also a means of offering junior and senior football to the wider community. Combining the resources of the four clubs helped to make us more effective and easier to manage.

How many members do you have? FC Nelson has approximately 600 members which makes it the largest sporting club in the region. There are other football clubs locally too and if you add up all the football players in Nelson Tasman and Marlborough, then there are well over 2000. Above: FC Nelson players take to the field

What age groups and levels are played locally? At FC Nelson we have First Kick which is the entry level with players aged from four years. The next level is Fun Football for seven- and eight-year-olds, and then it is the junior and youth levels for ages nine to 16. After that players move on to seniors, masters and competitive grades. Our youngest players are aged four, and our oldest currently is 62.

Why do they choose football? It is such a global game, low cost and easy to become involved in. With a round ball you can play football almost anywhere. Many of our players are from the local refugee communities. Often for them it is a game played in their countries of origin. Playing it here in their new home helps them to mix and integrate with others; they all speak the one language and that is the language of football. It’s a game for all cultures and creeds, for males and females, young and old. There are no barriers and that is one reason why locally it is very much the chosen sport of the refugee community; their go-to sport.

When and where is it played? Saturday is football day, from 9am for the First Kicks games through to the old boys at 5.30pm. The venues vary but the main soccer grounds are Neale Park near Founders in Nelson, Victory Square in Nelson, and Guppy Park in The Wood, Nelson.

What other clubs play locally? The region has several other football clubs including Tahuna, Nelson College, Nelson Suburbs, Richmond Athletic, Wakefield, Mapua, Motueka, Golden Bay, Waimea Plains, Moutere Rangers, Waimea College and Nelson College for Girls. In Marlborough there is also a strong football following with clubs including Rangers AFC, Blenheim Valley Sports Inc, Picton Football Club, Redwood Football Club, Trojans, Renwick Junior Soccer Club and Central Soccer Club. Visit www.facebook.com/ FootballClubNelson

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Photos by Alex Mahrla of the FC Masters, in black and white uniforms, v Taste of Turkey Motueka Masters football game

P H O T O G R A P H I C E S S AY

MOTORING

Forester goes green A family favourite treads more lightly on the planet, Geoff Moffett reports.

armakers can’t have enough models in their SUV line-up these days – a vehicle for every purpose and price, it seems. Subaru has thrown another into the mix with a hybrid version of the popular Forester. The new e-Boxer Hybrid is true to the Forester formula of a roomy, high-riding, practical 4WD with off-road capability, enhancing the 2018 New Zealand ‘Car of the Year’. But here is a variant to appeal to those wanting to reduce carbon emissions and save on fuel costs. Buyers can now choose between the biggerengine (2.5-litre) petrol motor and the new 2-litre petrol-electric. This is not a plug-in chargeable hybrid, but one that tops up its batteries when you decelerate or brake. The e-Boxer Hybrid comes in two choices: a Sport model at $47,490 and a Premium version for $7500 more. For that you get leather seats (heated and electric in the front), a panoramic sunroof, electric rear hatch and various other comforts. Buyers thinking of going hybrid will, therefore, pay the same for the equivalent non-hybrid Sport Forester but $5k more for the Premium non-hybrid whose 2.5-litre engine provides more horsepower and performance and a better towing capacity (1500kg for a braked trailer vs 1200kg). The hybrid will also produce less CO2 emissions and mean fewer visits to the petrol station, although the differences are not impressive (152 grams/km v 168) and a claimed combined-fuel use of 6.7 litres/100km versus 7.4 for the petrol-only SUV. 86

At low speeds and with your foot off the right-hand pedal, you will notice the lack of the internal combustion engine but in normal conditions when you are on and off the juice, there’s not a lot of battery-only operation.

As a capable, spacious, practical family car with allroad abilities it more than meets the objective.

High-tech safety

offer when you try the back seats – stacks of leg- and headroom. Load capacity is impressive too, with 509 litres of cargo space when the back seats are up and a healthy 1779 litres with seats down. The slab-sided and bull-nosed Forester won’t win many beauty contests but that’s not its purpose. As a capable, spacious, practical family car with all-road abilities it more than meets the objective. Now you can have it in a hybrid version too, and choice is never a bad thing.

What you get with this new Forester is a whole suite of passive and active safety features in a capable and comfortable family wagon with a big, airy cabin. The all-wheel-drive gives a lot of confidence on damp roads and the Forester also offers a dual-function ‘X-mode’ to deal with either snow or mud – just the thing for a trip to the ski fields or dealing with rutted surfaces. The 220mm ground clearance helps too. A sophisticated suspension system and ventilated disc brakes all-round add to that familiar Subaru ride security. Subaru’s Eyesight Driver system provides pre-collision braking and throttle management, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist, plus lane-sway warning. In fact, you’ll be aware of automated steeringwheel movements if you stray out of the lane. Subaru’s facial recognition system also detects when your gaze starts wandering and gives you a wake-up warning. Another smart inclusion is the ability for you and three other drivers to set various cabin settings such as seat, door mirror and air-conditioning. On the road, it’s surprisingly wieldy for a sizeable, high-riding car, and smooth and quiet. You’ll notice the sheer space on

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The many ways to add value using our wood fibre B Y J A C Q U I E WA LT E R S | P H O T O G R A P H Y T I M C U F F

‘A

dd value’ has been the clarion call of the wood fibre industry for decades. More often than not, adding value domestically has been seen as the antidote to the sight of piles of logs at our ports destined for overseas markets.

Where does Kaituna’s timber go?

10% Asia

30%

Australia

60%

New Zealand

Currently however, there is not enough domestic demand to utlise all the logs that are harvested from New Zealand’s forest estates. Businesses like OneFortyOne’s Kaituna Sawmill, near Blenheim, already add value through new products and innovation, and have a clear idea of what is needed to keep more wood in New Zealand and both create and support local jobs. “We add value to our resource both through the products we make at the mill and by selling clearwood fibre to our customers who then add further value to the products for the domestic and export markets,” says Kaituna Sawmill General Manager, Tracy Goss.

Domestic markets Contrary to what many might think, 60 percent of the sawmill’s processed timber is destined for domestic merchants and wholesale customers. “We supply customers like MLC Group, Southern Pine Products, and Prowood. Most people in the

region would have products in their home or on their property, such as weatherboard, skirting, dowels or posts, that started their life in our forests and came through our mill, even if they don’t have our name on them. There is a network of regional businesses and customers who rely on the timber we supply.” In fact, Kaituna’s focus is how it can best add value to its product to service and supply its domestic customers first, says Tracy. In order to optimise the return on all of its harvested resource, export markets remain an important part of the mix when it comes to sales. “Our preference is always to supply the domestic market first. However, change and innovation is needed to increase the domestic market’s capacity to process more wood fibre.” Tracy says that there are many practical ways that growth in domestic demand could be encouraged. Creating the right conditions for more affordable new home builds using wood would be a great start, he says. “At the moment there’s more wood grown here in New Zealand than the domestic market can absorb, at the current level of new home builds, and yet there’s an urgent demand for affordable homes. We can provide the timber to

WT + ONEFORTYONE NEW ZEALAND

build those homes, but the policies and the legislation has to support it.” The Government’s Building for Climate Change policy is a huge step in the right direction, he says. “Climate change appropriate policies are those that support construction materials that sequester carbon, such as wood, rather than supporting carbon emitting building materials. Our hope is that this policy shift increases the ratio of wood used in building playgrounds, commercial buildings and schools. This will create more demand for timber, lead to industry investment, create new jobs, and provide environmental and economic benefits.” The general move away from pruning trees in the forest estate has also created an area of need where the Government can assist industry. “There is an opportunity for the Government to help with more research around the opportunity to add value to wood fibre from unpruned logs. What are the other alternatives? What could we be turning that into? What is the newest market of opportunity in that space?” The industry itself has spearheaded product developments such as cross laminated timbers (CLT), and glulam (lamination of beams). “We would love to see the building code better supporting the use of wood in high-rise buildings. That single development would have a huge impact in terms of keeping timber in New Zealand for domestic use. There are so many ways that we can use wood for green building, to reduce energy consumption in homes and build more affordable homes.”

Environmentally-friendly solutions “We need to be developing innovative solutions and new added-value products to utilise the wood supply of the future. Without creating demand for the products now it’s difficult for a business to invest in the processing plant to support those new products. That’s where we need Government to facilitate.” Meanwhile, forests and timber are providing value by storing carbon. “Once you build a house carbon is stored in that timber for the lifetime of

“As an industry we want to develop the products that are going to meet future needs.” T R A C Y G O S S , K A I T U N A S AW M I L L G E N E R A L M A N A G E R

that home. At the same time as carbon is stored in a house for 30 years, you’ve grown a whole new crop of trees which are also storing carbon. That’s something to be celebrated.” Industry is also providing solutions for utlising wood residues in an environmentally positive way. Tracy says that sawmill residues can help mitigate carbon emissions from farming and biochar that is created from sawmill and forest residues can be used in a wide range of applications, including animal feed, fertiliser, and even building products. “Government policy and support to help create a market for sawmill and forests residues would have significant environmental and economic benefits.”

Above: Some of Kaituna’s customers’ products at Mitre10

Research support needed

Opposite page: Clockwise from top Tracy Goss, Kaituna Sawmill General Manager; pie graph showing where Kaituna's timber gets distributed

“It’s a practical way to improve commercial farming emissions, for example, but residues can also be used in ways that might be more unexpected, such as

manufacturing rechargeable batteries for cell phones and electric vehicles. “New Zealand companies that are leading the way in developing these products need assistance and support with research and development funding. Without such funding support the risk is that such innovators will pack up and head offshore. New Zealand will lose out on the jobs and green market-leading technologies that they will create. “As an industry we want to develop the products that are going to meet future needs. There will be many products we haven’t even thought of yet. To make that happen we’ll need New Zealand to get behind us and see us as the solution we know we can be.”

Contact www.onefortyone.com

ARTS

Refinery 2.0 goes über urban BY JOHN DU FOUR | PHOTO DOMINIQUE WHITE

his month sees the first exhibitions and presentations from The Refinery Artspace’s new year of programmed events in its temporary, ultra-urban location at 114 Hardy Street. It signals the end of an unexpectedly turbulent few months for the respected community art gallery, and especially its manager, Janja Heathfield, who only took the position on last September. “It seemed like perfect timing!” she says. “Nelson’s art scene was undergoing something of a transformation, with crossovers happening between different disciplines, and lots of discussion about greater collaboration and spontaneity.” Initiatives like NCC’s Make/Shift Spaces, where empty city shop fronts become pop-up arts showcases, typified the expansive arts thinking that was underway. For Janja, with a lifelong interest in fine arts, and a performance art background that includes event management, audio and sound design for film and TV, and work with Nelson Arts Festival and Light Nelson, it was a dream opportunity. “Initially, I developed a clear understanding for the space,” says Janja. “How it serves the community, and forges artistic relationships locally and nationally.” Having inherited the remaining programming from previous manager Anne Braunsteiner, Janja was soon busy Above: Work under way on the new art space 90

organising her own line-up of artists from the new crop of 2020 proposals. She smiles and shakes her head. “Then the doors closed … quite literally.” A perfect storm. Overnight, the dream became a nightmare.

Alternative home NCC’s revised criteria for seismic risk assessment saw the rating for the historic Halifax Street building drop significantly, necessitating immediate closure on 3 March, until earthquake strengthening could be undertaken. “The public were no longer allowed to enter. We had no place to go, and three weeks to clear everything out!” There was more to come, a perfect storm was brewing. Within two weeks New Zealand went into Covid lockdown. “We finished emptying the place with a tiny team doing everything under social distancing,” says Janja. Amidst all the hindrances a frantic search began for an alternative space that could somehow meet the Refinery’s highly specific requirements. After a Herculean effort by Janja and Arts Council Nelson’s Community Arts manager Lloyd Harwood, who was also rendered homeless by the closure, a new site was secured for the next two years. “NCC provided valuable support, including funding our move,” says Janja,

“recognition of The Refinery’s valuable role in the city. “Now we’re in the former Stewart Cycles and Bike Barn premises. We’ve put up new wall linings and installed specialised lighting, and painted out the interior.” The Refinery 2.0 features two very large exhibition spaces, a workshop area and a third gallery that can cater for unprogrammed, spontaneous opportunities. “We’re flexible like never before, right in the heart of Nelson!” says Janja. She explains that the street frontage affords an additional exhibiting opportunity. “We can offer artists the opportunity to devise creative window installations.” A varied September programme kicks things off. True to Janja’s performance art background, from 4-11 September Anton Bentley presents matinee and evening performances of Mervyn Thompson’s play, Children of the Poor – immersive theatre that unflinchingly examines children living in poverty. From 12 September, Kathy Pantling’s large-format photographic exhibition, The Creatives, celebrates the creativity of the elderly, beautifully capturing the intimate workshop spaces of resident artists in Summerset Retirement Village. Following on from this, Connect the Dots dynamically engages with older artists challenged by Alzheimer’s via a unique mentoring programme that includes talks and workshops. Janja reckons she can sum up her Refinery journey to date with three simple words: “Fun. Fraught. Fabulous!”

GALLERIES

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BY RENÉE LANG

ears of working overseas for several different humanitarian networks, including stints in the Middle East, provided Nelsonbased Chris Stuart with plenty of fuel in terms of basic human psychology when she decided to write her first crime novel. It wasn’t a sudden decision, though – it was more a matter of finding the time in her busy life. She’s always, by her own definition, been a storyteller. “It’s always me around the campfire; I see a story in everything.” However the power of the written word was borne out in a particularly dramatic fashion when she was in Sudan and was caught in a bombing attack by the southern rebel forces. Subsequently rescued by the UN, she was then able to safely return to Khartoum where she was based at the time. But while the bombing was going on Chris did what she usually did at times of high stress and distracted herself, in this case with a book that just happened to be available. “It was John Irvine’s A Widow for a Year, and when I started reading it everything else went out the window. Later I thought how amazing it was to have been in that situation, yet I’d been able to put myself in a parallel universe.” Unsurprisingly it was then that she decided that writing at that level was going to be her aim. It also helped that she’d already written a few pieces that had been well received by colleagues, but her humanitarian work took up so much time and emotional energy that she knew she’d have to postpone any serious attempt until she’d settled somewhere. Fast forward a few years and her decision to settle back in New Zealand gave her the chance of not only a quieter lifestyle, an opportunity she seized with both hands, but also the perfect environment in which to focus on her writing. But choosing where to settle didn’t come easy. “I’d been back a few times and looked at various options, but I had to keep asking myself, ‘where did I belong?’ I ended up choosing Nelson because of the art and craft ambience, all the good walking and hiking and, of course, the climate.” And is she pleased to be here? “I couldn’t have picked a better place to land,” she laughs. As for the theme of her recently published novel, it deals with the illusion of safety, making the point that bad things can happen anywhere, not just in hotbeds of trouble in faraway places, and whether, under certain circumstances, murder can actually be justified. For Reasons of Their Own ($35) is available through Chris’s website: www.chrisstuart.nz 92

ans of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry will be keen to pounce on this unlikely but highly enjoyable story about two women who are prepared to travel to the other side of the world, each for her own reasons, to find a beetle that may or may not exist.

Ripiro Beach Caroline Barron Available now, $34.99 Bateman Books

n the pursuit of researching this relentlessly honest memoir, award-winning writer Caroline Barron uncovers a number of family secrets, including a significant one related to DNA, which have an unexpected and not always positive effect on her. The years of hidden mental health issues along with instances of suicide and incarceration initially threaten her own psyche and make for a very powerful read.

Tough Country Mike Bellamy Available now, $36.99 HarperCollins

quintessentially Kiwi tale from a bygone era based on the author’s father, Barry Bellamy, who some suspect was the model for Sam Cash, one of Barry Crump’s key characters. It’s essentially a collection of tall tales featuring a bunch of bushmen, scrub cutters, hunters and shepherds, mostly living rough and experiencing all kind of adventures.

MUSIC

The Plant – Marlborough’s Rock Daisy BY EDDIE ALLNUTT

usion and fermentation under one roof. No shortage of culture there. The Plant has put Blenheim on the radar of touring musicians and that’s a positive for Marlburians wanting innovative sounds. There’s no thrashed ‘Wagon Wheel’ at this joint that not only has an organic warmth with its DIY pallet-timber walls, but a small vegan menu available on event nights, which crop up intermittently. Just like Gabriel and Bush, The Plant is a harmonious duet, owned and run by Matt Hellriegel and his partner Tatiana Martzova. Hellriegel says, “Since we’ve opened, we’ve managed to kind of punch above our weight with a lot of the acts. What’s become a constant surprise to us is that it’s started to become a sort of go-to for a lot of touring musicians. Particularly coming from a town where we’ve been starved of original music for a long time, it’s great that it’s picked up.” Martzova, who’s from Slovakia, manages The Plant’s kitchen to produce and sell tempeh. She also creates the gig-night menu, which is gathering Contemporary live music at The Plant

gastronomical groupies. Hannah Morgan, a regular at The Plant, says, “It’s all vegan but she’s such a wizard. Man, she smashes it, eh!” Kiwi heroes like Don McGlashen, Nadia Reid and Finn Andrews alongside international acts such as Screaming Females (New Jersey), The Schizophonics (San Diego) and Requin (Brisbane) have all gigged at The Plant.

The lure of music Hellriegel, a musician himself who beats the skins in a three-piece punk band called Big Scout, recalls an unforgettable night. “We had a punk band from LA called No Age come and play and that was very exciting. They’re actually my favourite band on the planet, so it was a genuine thrill.” And while mentioning age, Morgan says, “It’s cool because kids come with their parents ’cause it’s all ages. It’s kind of like this awesome nurturing place for kids who are super into music. I’ve seen people who are super old in there as well, like 80-year-olds sitting on the couch tapping their feet.” Like the Mussel Inn and the Barrytown Hall, The Plant is also becoming a cult venue with iconic acts. It only holds about 80-odd and there isn’t a stage. Hellriegel says, “It’s like someone playing in your living room, so it ends up being intimate for the fans and musicians.” Morgan adds: “It’s kind of like a little piece of paradise if you want to be somewhere that is different. It’s kind of

Like the Mussel Inn and the Barrytown Hall, The Plant is also becoming a cult venue with iconic acts. ambiguous – it doesn’t look much from the outside, but when you walk in you feel really welcome and there’s this awesome ambience that Matt and Tati create. It feels really classic New Zealand. We love going there. It’s special; it’s a super special place.” There are quaffable crafties and ‘vino de Marlborough’, however, The Plant’s real focus is on music with gigs starting earlier rather than later. From country to indie you’ll hear it at The Plant. “We’re just music geeks. We don’t discriminate towards genre. If the ideas and the music feel original and exciting to us, we book it. We do it for love and not the money” says Hellriegel. “When you make a safe space available to celebrate community and art, it’s amazing who can show up. We had no idea whether people would come to these shows; in fact, we assumed they probably wouldn’t. But what we’ve found is that people are generally very excited to be out and in the thick of it. Some folks come to every single show. Blenheim continuously exceeds its reputation on that front, and you know what? It feels good to say that.” 93

Please note that some events may be cancelled or postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions.

EVENTS

Regular Markets

Nelson Tasman

Every Saturday morning

Tuesday 1 to Sunday November 22

The Nelson Market 8am to 1pm

Ben Pearce: Life Will Go On Long After Money

MONTGOMERY SQUARE

Every Sunday Motueka Market 8am to 1pm

Life Will Go On Long After Money is a reconstruction of a real structure, and the imagined life lived within it.

DECKS RESERVE CAR PARK

Every Sunday Monty’s Market 8am to 1pm

THE SUTER ART GALLERY TE ARATOI O WHAKATŪ, NELSON

MONTGOMERY SQUARE

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER Saturday 5 Gutsy Girls Film Festival World Tour Featuring a unique selection of films celebrating the female adventurous spirit in the outdoors, this event will enthral both the avid adventurer and the armchair adventurer alike. 2.30pm and 7pm. THE SUTER ART GALLERY AND THEATRE, NELSON

Wednesday 9 The Beths – Jump Rope Gazers Tour Straight from the heart of Auckland’s music scene, The Beths have gathered an everincreasing fan base in New Zealand and around the world. New Zealand fans get their chance to hear their new album on this tour. 8pm. MUSSEL INN, ONEKAKA, GOLDEN BAY

Thursday 3 to Thursday 24 NCMA Lunchtime Concerts On stage for the lunchtime concerts will be a range of local and national performers. Immerse yourself in live classical, jazz and vocal music. NELSON CENTRE OF MUSICAL ARTS, NELSON

Saturday 12 Olive Copperbottom – A Dickensian Tale of Love, Gin and the Pox Following her smash hit Promise and Promiscuity, Olive Copperbottom is back! Penny 94

Ashton brings Dickensianinspired orphaned hero Olive, and a squalid gaggle of hilarious Victorians, to crusty life. A rollicking romantic musical journey through fifteen ginsoaked characters told with song, dance and questionable personal hygiene. It’s Oliver! meets Blackadder with a saucy feminine twist. 7.30pm. THEATRE ROYAL, NELSON

Saturday 12 Ocean Film Festival World Tour

Tuesday 15 Friends! The Musical Parody Friends! The Musical Parody takes an hilarious look and remembers the TV phenomenon that ruled the 90s and became a cultural institution with millions of fans across the globe. It follows the lives of six wacky 20-somethings and goes back in time to celebrate and poke fun at some of their most iconic moments as they navigate the pitfalls of work, life and love in Manhattan. 7.30pm.

This festival celebrates the beauty and power of the ocean, and the divers, surfers, swimmers and oceanographers who live for the sea’s salt spray, those who chase the crests of waves and who marvel at the mysteries of the big blue. Each of the festival’s films conveys a deep respect and appreciation for the world’s oceans and the creatures that call them home. 2.30pm and 6.30pm.

THEATRE ROYAL, NELSON

THE SUTER ART GALLERY AND THEATRE, NELSON

Sunday 20 Nelson Cherry Blossom Festival Enjoy a programme of music, food and entertainment under the cherry blossom trees to celebrate the Japanese culture and the 44-year Sister City connection between Nelson and Miyazu. 11.30am to 3pm. MIYAZU JAPANESE GARDENS, NELSON

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

Saturday 26 to Wednesday 30 Pic’s Peanut Butter Starling National Championship Regatta The Starling class is an iconic New Zealand dinghy class, with some famous names on the national trophy including the likes of Sir Russell Coutts and Peter Burling. The on-water action (subject to wind conditions) will see two races scheduled per day.

Saturday 19 & Sunday 20th Nelson Symphony Orchestra presents Last Night of the Proms

NELSON YACHT CLUB, WAKEFIELD QUAY

Time-honoured favourites plus selections from Tchaikovsky’s first Piano Concerto and Elgar’s Sea Pictures. Soloists: Louis Lucas, Perry and Allison Cormack. Saturday 7.30pm and Sunday 2pm.

A travelling event with a unique style of interesting market stalls, arts and craft, food, musical entertainment, circus shows, performers, unique-to-NZ tiny homes and kids’ shows and games. 9am to 5pm.

NELSON CENTRE OF MUSICAL ARTS, NELSON

RICHMOND PARK SHOWGROUNDS, RICHMOND

Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 The Extravaganza Fair

EVENTS

Regular Markets

Marlborough

Every Saturday Artisan Market 9am to 2pm

Thursday 10 & Friday 11 Olive Copperbottom

QUAYS, BLENHEIM

Penny Ashton brings Dickensian-inspired orphaned hero Olive, and a squalid gaggle of hilarious Victorians, to crusty life. It’s Oliver! meets Blackadder with a saucy feminine twist. Ashton’s ‘tour-de-force’ (Theatreview) has won numerous awards, don’t miss it! 7.30pm.

Photo supplied by: Nelson Arts Festival

Every Sunday

ASB THEATRE MARLBOROUGH, BLENHEIM

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER Friday 4 & Saturday 5 Boeing Boeing Bernard has it all. A good job, financial security, an apartment in Paris and three girlfriends. Bernard is a cunning fellow because all of his paramours are air hostesses, working for different airlines from different time zones and with different rosters. Brilliant! What could possibly go wrong? 7.30pm. BOATHOUSE THEATRE, BLENHEIM

Saturday 5 Raybon ... Kan Touch This An uproarious evening of stand-up comedy designed to liberate the mind and dispatch sacred cows to the barbecue. When unspeakable is a dare, when flames attract moths, when sending a tweet can

feel like self-testing a parachute – Raybon will address these touchy subjects. 8.30pm. PICTON LITTLE THEATRE, PICTON

Thursday 10 The Beths – Jump Rope Gazers Tour After selling out Auckland’s Powerstation in just six days, Auckland’s indie faves The Beths embark on a nationwide tour in support of their new record Jump Rope Gazers. The Beths have gathered an ever-increasing fan base in New Zealand and around the world. 7pm. FRAMINGHAM WINES, RENWICK

Saturday 12 Pure Gold Marlborough District Brass invite you to join them at this concert of Pure Gold music of the 20th

century, crossing genres and including show hits, favourite jazz standards and classics. A concert of contrasts and much-loved music that will appeal to all. 7.30pm. ASB THEATRE MARLBOROUGH, BLENHEIM

Sunday 13 Friends! The Musical Parody Friends! The Musical Parody is an hilarious good-hearted romp through our favourite moments from the hit TV show in an uncensored, hilarious, fast-paced, musicfilled production. A talented cast nails the quirks, the mannerisms and the catchphrases of our favourite characters. You’ll laugh! You’ll cry! You’ll Unagi! 7.30pm. ASB THEATRE MARLBOROUGH, BLENHEIM

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. A&P SHOWGROUNDS

Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 The Extravaganza Fair Welcome to New Zealand’s largest and most fabulous travelling event, bringing a unique style of interesting market stalls, arts and craft, food, musical entertainment, circus shows and performers. Join in our sack races, tug of war and musical bean bags, be in to win prizes! Check out the solar-powered stage and tiny homes. 9am. BLENHEIM A&P PARK, BLENHEIM

Saturday 19 Queen Charlotte Relay This relay is one of the oldest road relays held in New Zealand and still running on a state highway. The first relay was in 1982 and has been competed for annually since without a break. Teams come from all over New Zealand to compete and have a fun day into the bargain. 11am. WAITOHI DOMAIN, PICTON

Thursday 24 Whitehaven Wines Marlborough Pro-Am Golf Tournament Thirty professional golfers merge from all over New Zealand to take part in this prestigious event, hosted by the Marlborough Golf Club. The event is held with 30 teams of four golfers – three amateurs and one professional player. There are numerous vantage points from which the public is welcome to watch. 10:30am. MARLBOROUGH GOLF CLUB, FAIRHALL

Saturday October 3 to Saturday November 21 Marlborough Mount Everest Challenge This challenge is a run/walk event where the goal is to travel the elevation of Mount Everest (8800 m) in the time that it took Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953 (7 weeks). It will be run over the amazing local walking tracks that Marlborough has to offer and can be done solo or as part of a team. PORT MARLBOROUGH PAVILION, ENDEAVOUR PARK, PICTON