Ponsonby News July 2026

CLOSE TO WHAT YOU LOVE, DESIGNED FOR WHAT’S NEXT

For those who know this part of Auckland well, its appeal has never been just about location.

It is the familiarity – favourite cafés and restaurants, the harbour walks, the village energy of Ponsonby and the easy connection to St Marys Bay, Herne Bay, Westhaven and the CBD.

Pillars has been shaped by this enduring sense of place. A boutique collection of just 16 substantial residences, it offers a considered way to stay connected without compromise.

Each home brings together the scale and comfort more often associated with a larger standalone residence with the security and simplicity of contemporary apartment living. Generous, full-depth and dual aspect layouts, refined materials and carefully framed outdoor spaces create homes that feel calm, private and enduring, where space and quality come together with quiet ease.

Pillars takes a more thoughtful approach to luxury. Its value lies not in excess, but in what matters every day: proportion, craftsmanship and detail, alongside the rare opportunity to secure a home in this established setting.

Designed by Jasmax and developed by Precinct, one of New Zealand’s leading NZX-listed property groups, Pillars brings design integrity, delivery confidence and a commitment to enhancing how people live.

For those drawn to the character and convenience of this part of Auckland, Pillars offers something rare: a home of genuine substance, designed to elevate everyday living.

www.pillars.co.nz

For more information: Louise Stringer on M: +64 21 628 839; louise.stringer@bayleys.co.nz or Dominique Donaghy on M: +64 27 370 0000; dominique.donaghy@bayleys.co.nz

A Rare Position above St Marys Bay

16 homes | 2 & 3 bedrooms + media

Each approximately 200sqm Dual-aspect, full-depth layouts

A boutique collection of homes designed for those who want to remain connected to the neighbourhood they know and value, with more space, privacy and ease of living.

Generous in scale

quality craftsmanship, refined detailing and the rarity of a limited collection in a highly sought-after neighbourhood.

Designed by Jasmax

Developed by Precinct

Experience the display suite. See the detail. Feel the scale.

Location: 14 St Marys Road, St Marys Bay Saturday & Sunday, 12pm - 1pm or by private appointment

Priced from $3,950,000.00

Louise Stringer

+64 21 628 839 BAYLEYS

Dominique Donaghy +64 27 370 0000

BAYLEYS

YOU CAN'T PROTECT WHAT YOU CAN'T DEFINE

I support the aim of the Legislation (Definitions of Woman and Man) Amendment Bill. Until recently, we didn’t need to define what a woman is because everyone knew.

However, adding beliefs about transgender ideology into legislation means we now need to define sex more clearly. You can’t protect what you can’t define.

In our submission to the Select Committee, the Women’s Rights welcomed the Bill, but it won’t achieve its goals as it is written. We suggested amendments that would strengthen the Bill.

There have been lots of claims by opponents that it would “erase transgender people.” That is not the case. Unions, the National Council of Women and liberal churches like St Matthew in the City are misrepresenting the Bill and prioritising gender-identity politics over women’s interests.

The untested 2006 Crown Law opinion that "gender identity" is included under the prohibited ground of discrimination “sex" in the Human Rights Act has been treated as if it were law – which it is not. This has undermined exceptions in the Human Rights Act that permit single -sex facilities, services and sports, for example, and makes it harder to protect same -sex orientation, since "same -sex attraction" cannot be defined if “sex" is undefined.

We proposed several amendments:

1. Define “sex" first, then define woman and man, female and male, making it explicit that women/girls are human females and men/boys are human males.

2. Confirm that existing provisions for people with differences of sex development (DSDs or Intersex) are not affected by defining woman and man in law.

3. Explicitly state that “sex" in New Zealand legislation means biological sex, not gender identity.

4. Delete "regardless of gender identity” from the Bill.

5. Remove the word “adult” by adding “girl” to “woman” and “boy” to “man”, so that minors are clearly covered under existing laws.

6. Provide clear scientific definitions of “female” and “male”; also emphasising that cosmetic or hormonal interventions do not change sex.

Public support for defining a woman and man in law has increased between two polls taken a year apart (Curia polls for Family First and Speak Up For Women), including support across party lines. We urge all MPs to support the Bill.

Jill Ovens, Women’s Rights Party

BARFOOTING UP THE WRONG TREE

Kia Ora Stephen

Come on mate... keep it real! The Gypsy is an iconic taonga and vital hub of the community. Please dig deep and do the right thing. Be gracious and eat humble pie. If you’re unable to listen to people, you shouldn’t be in real estate.

If you authentically care then build a bridge and figure out a

proper, honourable compromise solution. Make it a win-win.

I was born in Grey Lynn many decades ago at Bethany Hospital. I care and so do many others. People need their local spaces to hui. Please be human.

We are all watching and listening. We have memories like elephants.

Nga mihi nui

Jenny Meyer, Herne Bay

'DEFINITIONS OF WOMAN AND MAN' AMENDMENT BILL

Rock The Vote NZ supports the Definitions of Woman and Man Amendment Bill because New Zealand law needs clear, consistent biological definitions. The bill itself is simple: it would insert default definitions into the Legislation Act so that “woman” means “an adult human biological female” and “man” means “an adult human biological male.” Supporters argue this restores clarity in law; critics argue it is harmful or discriminatory.

But the real story is not just the bill — it is the machinery mobilised to kill it. Opponents routinely frame the proposal as an attack on the entire “rainbow community.” Yet Stats NZ’s 2023 Census data shows that 4.9% of adults fall within the broader LGBTIQ+ population, with 4.1% reporting a minority sexual identity and just 0.7% counted as transgender or non-binary. The constituency driving the “gender identity” campaign is therefore a very small fraction of the population — not “New Zealand,” and not even the whole rainbow population.

Gay and lesbian New Zealanders are not “erased” by defining “man” and “woman” in biological terms. The pressure is coming from gender-identity activists and the institutions aligned with them, who wrap a much narrower ideological demand inside the moral authority of the wider rainbow label.

Rock The Vote NZ believes that legal definitions of sex must remain grounded in biology, not subjective identity claims. A self-declared gender identity should not alter a person’s legal sex. Clear sex-based definitions are essential for privacy, dignity, fairness, safeguarding, accurate data collection and the integrity of single -sex services and spaces. If the words “male,” “female,” “man,” and “woman” lose their ordinary biological meaning, then any legislation in which sex is relevant — including the Human Rights Act — becomes incoherent.

We therefore urge the committee to amend the bill so that it defines sex directly and explicitly states that, for legal and administrative purposes:

· sex is immutable sex is biological

· sex is based on reproductive function sex cannot be changed by a gender identity declaration

· sex cannot be changed by amended birth certificates

New Zealand needs clarity in law, not ambiguity. A coherent legal framework depends on definitions that are stable, objective and universally understood.

Andrew Crowley, Party Leader, Rock The Vote NZ

LETTERS CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

The hospitality business is tough these days which is why it’s good to see businesses working closely together – a good example is Grey Lynn’s Ozone café. Once the café is closed for the day, Cassia’s team move in for their evening service.

It’s also great news to see Cassia mentioned as one of 60 restaurants included in the Michelin Guide selection, celebrating culinary excellence.

Cassia, along with locals Ada, Jervois Steak House, Kol and Rag Tag are in. Congratulations to Paris Butter for getting one star. Set in an understated space with an elegant interior, Paris Butter presents a season-driven tasting menu featuring peak New Zealand produce. European techniques are combined with subtle Asian influences for a refined and modern dining experience.

Another example of locals working together is Ponsonby Baptist Church running concerts every two months. These events included their Queen Tribute evening and also their Bowie night. The next one planned is Elton John.

There has been quite a bit of media coverage over the past few weeks about the unhappy state of affairs within Auckland Council – particularly the strained relations between Mayor Wayne Brown and those councillors, including Mike Lee, who opposed Brown's record 7.9% rates increase.

When the draft Annual Plan 2026/27 went out for public submissions late last February, in the very first sentence of his proposal, Wayne Brown declared: "When I ran for Mayor I said I would 'fix Auckland'. This is what I am doing." But how does that statement equate with reality?

HELP WITH ESTATE CLEARANCES

We can manage the whole process or any part of it - you choose. We will ensure that special personal belongings are kept safe for the family, unwanted items sold and reports provided to the family, lawyer and executor every step of the way.

Elderly Assist’s years of experience and proven processes take the stress out of this difficult time.

Here’s what Jeanette had to say on the No Cowboys website 6 March, 2019:

"I used Elderly Assist to clear and clean my deceased mother’s house which had not been well maintained for the last few years. From the first phone call to the end result it was stress free and professional. Everything was handled with care and we were kept informed every step of the way.” Rating: 100%

Visit www.nocowboys.co.nz/businesses/elderly-assistlimited#ratings for more authenticated testimonials from dozens of Elderly Assist’s happy customers.

For more info and a brochure, contact founder/owner Janice Willis on 0800 839 874 or visit www.elderlyassist.co.nz

The 7.9% rates increase has sparked considerable anger among hard-pressed Aucklanders already grappling with the cost-of-living crisis. There has been fairly scathing criticism of Brown and his councillor supporters in the mainstream media and, particularly, on social media. Brown has responded with his own professionally produced social media campaign, doubling down, lecturing critics that he is right and they are wrong, and blaming everything on the City Rail Link (CRL). The Mayor and his inner circle have reacted to the public backlash – which seems to have surprised them – by directing their resentment towards dissenting councillors, whom they evidently feel have shown them up in the eyes of the public.

So, in terms of ‘fixing Auckland’, if you think increasing rates revenue by more than $1 billion a year and adding debt at a rate of around $1.18 billion every year amounts to fixing Auckland, then I have a bridge to sell you. In fact, Wayne Brown has a bridge to sell you at Point Chevalier – and he's not joking. (JAY PLATT & MARTIN LEACH)  PN

We are an owner-operator business specialising in estate clearance and helping elderly people transition into retirement care.

What we do:

• Pack up the house and prepare property for sale.

• Assist with the sale of furniture and belongings. Elderly Assist does not take a commission on the sale of goods.

• Assist with gifting to friends and family and making donations to charity.

• Ensure that special personal belongings are kept safe for family.

• Provide a full inventory of individual items of property and what has been done with them.

• Liaise with and provide reports to the Lawyer, Power of Attorney, Estate Executor and/or family at every stage.

-Gusto Italiano -

GUSTO MEANING ‘TASTE AND ENJOYMENT’

When you dine with us, the focus is on freshly prepared classic dishes, featuring an excellent range of pasta, seafood, meats and our pizza classics.

We also offer our pasta dishes to takeaway, phone for details or check our website for the menu.

263 PONSONBY RD, THREE LAMPS, 09 361 1556 www.gustoitaliano.co.nz

Editor/Publisher: MARTIN LEACH M: 021 771 147 martinleach@xtra.co.nz or martin@ponsonbynews.co.nz

Deputy Editor: JAY PLATT M: 021 771 146 jayplatt@xtra.co.nz or jay@ponsonbynews.co.nz

Operations Manager: GWYNNE DAVENPORT M: 021 150 4095 gwynne@ponsonbynews.co.nz

Designer: ARNA MARTIN M: 021 354 984 arna@cocodesign.co.nz

The entire content of this publication is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwisewithout the prior permission, in writing, of the copyright owner. Colour transparencies and manuscripts submitted are sent at the owner’s risk; neither the publisher nor its agents accept any responsibility for loss or damage. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, the publisher can accept no liability for any inaccuracies that

occur.

WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE OF INTERNAL COST CUTTING AND THE 'RAZOR GANGS'?

The (Central) Government has introduced a programme to downsize their bureaucracy and reduce costs by some considerable number.

My questions of council, which I have recently asked under the Official Information Act, are:

1. What actions and human resource management plans have been initiated and implemented by Auckland Council management to downsize the number of bureaucrats, reduce pay rates to be on par with the private sector, and cull the multitude of unnecessary staff from the ratepayer funded payroll?

2. When will these downsizing actions commence?

3. What numbers are council projecting will be the end result of council downsizing? (Numbers and revenue savings.)

4. How many former Auckland Transport staff will be 'let go' or 'encouraged to take their skills elsewhere', now that the scope of their roles has been decimated and the AT budgets heavily cut?

5. What measurable financial savings are council projecting to save the ratepayers from this cull of AT ‘services'?

6. Will these savings be applied to REDUCE rates to ratepayers?

7. Auckland Transport has for years undertaken works and projects that no one asked for, no one needs and certainly no one wants to pay for – ie, a BILLION of our money on unused cycleways in major thoroughfares, (K'Road, Meola Road, Great North Road, etc), that achieved nothing but worsening the congestion and transit times, and traffic light controlled pedestrian crossings on roads where a simple painted crossing would have easily sufficed.

The reason I requested this information from Auckland Council is because now it appears to all residents and ratepayers that council's main purpose is to maintain its role as merely a rapacious collector of ever increasing taxes/ rates, levies, targeted rates, residential parking charges, standard parking charges, (strict liability) fines, dog licences, indeed any POSSIBLE revenue raising rort the administration class can devise and then ignore the outcry from the victims of this madness.

Council is forever and always demanding more, more and even more money to deliver reduced services (eg, removing public rubbish bins from parks, etc, was simply stupid – there is no other way to describe that insane ‘solution'). It must stop! Now!

I am confident that council will reply with corporate speak platitudes, that the administration class think will bat off the questions for yet another decade while they trip through another year on their overly inflated salaries and deliver fewer benefits to their struggling victims.

If Central Government increased taxes by 2.5 times the rate of inflation every single year, there would be rioting in the streets, but here we have a council and some wilfully blind councillors and Mayor who are failing their constituents by endorsing outrageous rates increases that are simply not justifiable.

No business is or can be run in this manner. Monopolies become a power to themselves and lose sight of their roles and their objectives. The inevitable result is their customers/ victims are inevitably left much worse off.

Such is the case with Auckland Council and its management.

Where is the evidence of internal cost cutting and the 'Razor Gangs' that ratepayers have been demanding for years?

Roger Hawkins, Herne Bay

HEART OF THE CITY BOARD MEMBERS

The news that the majority of Heart of the City Board Members have resigned was unexpected but not surprising. By effectively 'falling on their swords' they have avoided the inevitable confrontation whereby they would have had to explain their extraordinary actions which resulted in the inappropriate and unjustified suspension of the HOTC CEO, Viv Beck.

In the last term of the Waitematā Local Board, I was appointed as the liaison member to the HOTC Board. I attended meetings with some of the current HOTC Executive who are, in my opinion, very good in that role. They are volunteers, unpaid and they bring invaluable business acumen to support Viv Beck and her team.

However, since the AGM last year, something has gone horribly wrong, resulting in the current situation.

We can speculate about why this has happened, but in my opinion there has been an orchestrated effort to undermine Viv Beck in her role as CEO. This has been characterised by some members of the HOTC Board as having an express purpose of removing Viv, possibly because of her concerns about safety in the City Centre and the unquestioning adherence by council staff to the City Centre Masterplan which, in my view, will likely go ahead but may result in hospitality, retail and professional businesses being forced to relocate outside the city centre in order to run their businesses profitably. Much of the damage has already occurred, but Viv was trying to 'hold back the tide' by advocating for sensible changes in support of the business community.

In my view, during the term of the last HOTC Board, Viv and her team did an excellent job on behalf of the city centre business and residential communities and visitors to revitalise the city centre in the wake of Covid, disruption from the CRL construction works and the City Centre Masterplan.

While the sudden departure of the HOTC Executive Board may let those who caused the recent disruption 'off the hook’, in terms of not having to explain and justify their actions to the BID Association members, it now leaves an opportunity for renewal as soon as a new board is elected at a Special General Meeting of the BID members.

Recent comments by departing board members that the association’s database is “now compliant” is a smokescreen to force delay and should be disregarded.

I hope commonsense will prevail and the HOTC team will once again be able to properly function in the interests of the city centre ratepayers and the wider Auckland community.

G. J. Moyle, Herne Bay

IT’S A TEAM EFFORT... WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT OUR CONTRIBUTORS

CANDACE KINSER

I'm a proud Aucklander with a deep passion for the people, places and energy that make Auckland Central such a remarkable place. That's why I'm standing as the National Candidate for Auckland Central.

CHLÖE SWARBRICK

Chlöe Swarbrick is the MP for and the biggest fan of Auckland Central - she is Co-Leader of the Green Party of Aotearoa NZ.

DAVID HARTNELL - MNZM

For the last 53 years I’ve been a freelance entertainment journalist and author. I’ve lived in the Grey Lynn area for over three decades; I have met and interviewed some amazing people.

DESLEY SIMPSON

I am a dedicated and approachable Deputy Mayor of Auckland, with a handson approach and genuine commitment to improving local communities and solving issues in Auckland.

GAEL BALDOCK

We each follow our moral compass shaped by training. Mine is sculpting, architecture, sociology, anthropology and betterment of our shared world by community advocacy… and saving trees.

HELENE RAVLICH

A freelance writer and copywriter for almost 20 years, I have written for publications all over the world and couldn’t imagine myself in any other job.

HELEN WHITE

Helen is the Member of Parliament for Mt Albert and has a long-standing commitment to social justice, community well-being and ethical leadership. She is also keen on yoga.

KEN RING

My yearly NZ Weather Almanacs began in 1999. During the tragic 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, my work created international interest. I currently live in Ponsonby.

LISA PRAGER

A life long advocate for community issues, I am passionate about protecting and enhancing our natural environment and built heritage.

MELISSA LEE

I have been a National List MP based in Mt Albert for the past 16 years. I am dedicated to listening and understanding the needs of our community, working hard to deliver outcomes and drive positive change.

MIKE LEE

I am the councillor for Waitematā & Gulf. A former seafarer, former chair of the ARC, conservationist, PT advocate, and author. I have represented the Ponsonby area since 1992.

PHIL PARKER

Journalist and published author, I have had a career involving both wine writing and hosting boutique wine tours in the Auckland region.

PUNEET DHALL

I am an Aucklander of Indian origin, Punjabi and Sikh. I have a keen interest in food, wine and politics.

ROSS THORBY - QSM

I have had a wanderlust for travel ever since I was old enough to own a passport. Since I discovered cruising, I have become unstoppable.

SARITA SOLVIG BLANKENBURG

I am a passionate Ayurveda practitioner based in Ponsonby for the last 15 years. Inspiring others to live a healthy and fulfilled life is my higher purpose.

SARAH TROTMAN, ONZM

She has been rated the most effective Governor on the Waitematā Local Board. However, we rate her as the most effective community advocate, who led the C&R team from her sole voice on the Board to the majority at the last election, until...

SNOW AND THE CITY

Enjoy our magical dining experience, featuring the Giardino il Neve (Italian for Snow Garden) winter menu. Every Saturday and Sunday in July, watch the snow fall gently as you gather with family and friends over a delectable long lunch.

WHEN Saturdays & Sundays, July 2026

Lunch Service / 12pm onwards

WHERE

Alla Prossima | Abstract Hotel

8 Upper Queen Street, Auckland CBD

PRICING

• Adults / $65 per person

• Children 8 and under / $32 per person

RESERVATIONS

Seats are limited and bookings are essential. Come and experience Auckland’s most enchanting winter lunch destination.

• 09 320 1671

• dine@AllaProssima.co.nz

• allaprossima.co.nz

UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE

Inside Lahood's Installation at the Double Courtyard House

Nestled in the coastal dunes of Te Arai, northeast of Auckland, the Double Courtyard House by Roberts Gray Architects is a study in quiet luxury. Designed to age gracefully alongside the regenerated dune landscape, every material was chosen with care and intention. The automated blinds and custom curtains supplied by Lahood® Window Furnishings were no exception.

Early Planning for Seamless Results

The brief was beautifully simple: barefoot luxury, lock-upand-leave practicality, and a material palette that Roberts Gray Architects Director Jimmy Gray describes as "luxurious but honest, soft, texturally rich and warm."

Lahood joined the project during the planning stage to ensure the window furnishings carried that same quiet refinement through to completion. As Clayton Sceats, Lahood Director, explains, "It was always about restraint and precision – recessed blinds, flush ceiling tracks, and integrated automation, all considered from the outset so the detailing could sit naturally within the architecture."

Blinds Made to Disappear

Throughout the home, Lahood roller blinds with Somfy automation manage the considerable solar demands of this exposed coastal site while preserving uninterrupted views. Each blind sits within a fully recessed ceiling pocket, leaving no visible disruptions when retracted. When lowered, a sunscreen fabric in Jersey, a warm muted tone, filters UV glare while maintaining the connection to the surrounding dunes.

Curtains Adding Softness

In the lounge, custom curtains by Lahood in James Dunlop's Drift in Tussock, a durable, textured polyester-linen blend, are hung with an inverted pleat to sit discreetly on flush recessed powder-coated tracks. Left unlined, the fabric gently filters light, creating a soft ambience while helping protect furniture and flooring during the months the home sits empty. In the bedrooms, a second track carrying James Dunlop Quantum FR lining allows the rooms to transition from softly filtered daylight to restful blackout.

The Outcome

"The invisible finish of the automated blinds means the house can be fully opened to the views," says Jimmy Gray. "And the curtains bring an extra level of softness to the space."

The result is a home where the window furnishings quietly complement the architecture, demonstrating what becomes possible when they are considered an integral part of the design vision rather than simply a finishing touch.

To discuss your next residential or commercial project, visit the Lahood showroom at 104 Mount Eden Road, call 0800 LAHOOD, or visit lahood.co.nz

SNOW AND THE CITY!

Who says you need to head to the mountains to enjoy the snow this winter?

Abstract Hotel is bringing the magic of snow to the heart of Auckland City, transforming its Winter Garden into a family friendly snow garden where little ones can play while parents relax over a leisurely lunch. This playful seasonal experience offers the chance to enjoy a cosy long lunch and make pictureperfect memories all in one place these school holidays.

Friends and family can enjoy this unique dining experience with the limited-time Giardino il Neve – that’s Italian for snow garden – winter menu. Designed to share, a threecourse menu from the Alla Prossima restaurant features a delicious antipasti, including arancini, polpette (meatballs) and focaccia, followed by beautiful pasta dishes and pizza, finishing with cannoli and gelato for dessert. There’s also fish and chips for the little ones.

Abstract’s Snow and the City special event is on Saturdays and Sundays in July only, from 12 noon onwards, and bookings are essential.

PRICING

Adults / $65 per person

Children 8 and under / $32 per person

RESERVATIONS

Seats are limited and bookings are essential. Come and experience Auckland’s most enchanting winter lunch destination.

T: 09 320 1671

dine@AllaProssima.co.nz allaprossima.co.nz

For more information, please contact: Sido Kitchin sido.kitchin@mediumrarecontent.com General Manager, Medium Rare Content Agency

DAVID HARTNELL: ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW WITH JANICE WILLIS FROM ELDERLY ASSIST

We have all heard the lovely dulcet tones on the radio adverts – Newstalk ZB, Coast, Breeze Classic and The Sound – “Hi, I’m Janice from Elderly Assist.” I asked Janice when and how did she come up with the idea?

I first started my business in 2012 after assisting an older friend help her 92-year-old neighbour sell her home and move to Australia to be nearer family. I wondered at the time how people coped who did not have family nearby. It all started with that one experience.

Does any one move stand out?

We once moved a 96-year-old man and his wife from a home and five garages. He wasn’t a hoarder, he just had so many interests and a number of careers in his life. He once was a sign writer back in the 1960s and had a number of signs we needed to sell. A lot of them were Merry Christmas signs and they were all rather retro so they did quite well.

Have you ever had to declutter something that was rather strange and bizarre?

We recently cleared a basement with so much World War 1 and World War 2 military radio equipment. I found someone who knew what some of it was and out of the woodwork came many men who bid on it on TradeMe. The son of my client would visit his Dad at the rest home and show him the auctions on TradeMe. His father would recognise who was bidding because they used their CB radio sign-ons. My client was just thrilled it didn’t go to metal recycling.

People must appreciate your calmness when decluttering for them?

Many of my clients have lived in their own home for a very long time, over 30 years. They often raised a family in the home and, as the children left, they spread out to bedrooms turning them into offices and craft rooms. They had no need to declutter and downsize until they thought about moving and then the task became huge for them. My team are recruited for their gentle negotiating skills, their kindness and patience. We work at our clients' pace and sometimes we work for a few weeks with clients if it is a big job.

You say on your radio adverts 'ring me', and that is just what happened when I rang you on your 0800 839 874 number. There you were. No pressing numbers, no recording. People must appreciate getting you on the phone.

Some are shocked and say, “Oh, there really is a Janice.” I have always answered the phone because I often invite my prospective clients to have a chat about their situation. Many of my clients don’t have family nearby. One of the first things I learned when I started the business was how many families had children that left for a short OE (overseas experience) and never came back permanently.

Often, children call me from overseas and we FaceTime and I visit the client and FaceTime with the child as well. I advertise on the radio overnight and invite people to call me in the morning. I initially didn’t say call me in the morning and people would call me during the night because they were awake and lonely and fretting about what do about moving.

What do you like about Ponsonby?

I like the village, the shops, the cafes and Milly's. There is always something happening in Ponsonby.

How did you survive the pandemic?

Because of Retire at Home, we were essential service providers. I learned how caring and compassionate my team were and how far they would go to assist our clients. It birthed the Retire at Home service which continues to grow because so many people wish to stay in their own homes during retirement. Making their homes safe and decluttered is rewarding to assist them to achieve their goals.

What was your childhood like?

I was born in England, my parents emigrated to NZ when I was three. My father went into business as an engineer. I had a happy childhood and teenage years when I was involved in a big youth group. I returned to the UK in my early 20s for a few years but family and lifestyle drew me back to NZ.

What’s on your bucket list?

Exploring the villages of England during spring – the castles, the meadows.

Most Kiwi thing about you?

That I make a great pavlova.

What is your comfort food? Chocolate.

What is something that you dislike about your appearance? My bunions!

www.elderlyassist.co.nz

(DAVID HARTNELL, MNZM)  PN

Elegance

For over 40 years Lahood has been the name behind transformational window furnishing solutions We combine expertise in design, colour and texture to transform rooms, create mood and enhance people’s lives with a touch of elegance

GREY LYNN BAPTIST CHURCH BACK IN THE DAY

My late husband and I got married in the Grey Lynn Baptist Church in March 1975. It was an unbelievably hot day. I had three bridesmaids and the Rev Taylor presided.

The church had a tidy coat of paint, and in those days there was a tennis court on the property, though actual tennis players were a rarity.

My brother and I attended the Sunday school as children. My parents attended when one of my younger siblings was christened, but my grandmother, Kitty Hahn and her friends were regular attenders. They enjoyed their ‘Woman’s Institute’ meetings there, often dressing up for events. Grandma’s fairy outfit was a winner, as was her Christmas donkey. It had a big papier mache head and brown sacking body, complete with back-end space for another person. Her cow outfit had a very realistic udder made out of an inflated pink rubber glove. It was all washed down with plenty of hot tea and homemade cake.

An occasional craft market was held in the attached hall behind the main church. Grandma made knitted slippers with fabric soles. The money raised went to ‘The Lepers’ (wherever they lived?).

I was too shy to join in, but the girls at the time could go to Girl Guides club and Brownies. The boys could go to Boys'

Brigade. They did life skills activities like knitting and knot tying. Obviously too terrifying for me!

When I was 13, I was in the church choir. We sang to the congregation from our perch behind the pulpit at the front. From there we had a great view of the occasional very solemn baptism. A special pool had been built in front of the lectern, so we had a great view of the minister’s chest-high rubber waders through the back of his robe.

I was distracted from church in my teenage years but the memory of that sacred space and my desire to marry before God was enough to send me back for the occasion when I was 19. I enjoy the memory of us all standing in front of the church.

My grandmother Kitty is in the photo in the long brown dress. “All paths lead to God” had been a mantra of hers. In my case, it was a zig zagging line over the years, but Grey Lynn Baptist Church was the perfect start. So grateful.

KATHRYN AVENELL (nee Hahn, Hudson)

A cross-lease title can limit what you do with your home.

Because the land is shared, even simple changes — like replacing a window with French doors, adding a deck or altering the building footprint — may need your neighbour’s consent.

Converting to a fee-simple title gives you clearer ownership, more control and fewer ongoing title complications. It can also make your property easier to sell, easier for buyers to understand and potentially more valuable.

More freedom: Make changes without needing neighbour approval for every alteration.

Clearer ownership: Reduce the risk of disputes and title issues.

Better sale appeal: Fee-simple properties are often more attractive to buyers.

If you want more certainty, flexibility and long-term value from your property, now is a good time to explore your options.

The process can take time, so start with a quick enquiry and find out what’s possible for your home.

Get started today, contact us for a FREE quote. T: 0800 953 273, www.goodtitle.co.nz

SWEAT THAT SAVES LIVES:

UNICEF AND LES MILLS UNITE KIWIS FOR WORKOUT FOR THE WORLD

UNICEF Aotearoa and Les Mills are calling on New Zealanders to get moving by taking part in Workout for the World, a global fitness fundraising campaign raising money for children affected by conflict, crisis and disaster around the world.

The campaign aims to raise vital flexible funding for UNICEF, enabling the fastest and most effective humanitarian response possible. Les Mills, which partners with 20,000+ fitness clubs in over 100 countries, is supporting its club partners to host Workout for the World events on 20 June. These special workout events will bring together exercisers in all corners of the globe to support UNICEF's life-saving work for children.

In New Zealand, Les Mills clubs will run Workout for the World classes, with people encouraged to take part by making a donation. Events are open to anyone who wants to participate, whether or not they are a gym member, providing a simple way for people to support UNICEF’s work for children.

“What makes Workout for the World so powerful is that it turns everyday action into real support for children facing extraordinary hardship,” says UNICEF Aotearoa Chief Executive Susan Glasgow.

“When conflict or disaster strikes, UNICEF needs to move fast. With flexible funding raised through initiatives like this, our global teams can deliver emergency supplies within 48 hours and respond immediately – getting clean water, healthcare, nutrition and protection to children when it matters most, whether that’s following a devastating cyclone in the Pacific or in areas of conflict like Sudan.”

Workout for the World builds on a long-standing partnership between UNICEF Aotearoa and Les Mills International, which began in 2017. Over the past eight years, the partnership has raised more than US$2 million to support children worldwide, grounded in shared values of wellbeing, community and long-term impact.

Les Mills International Chief Executive Phillip Mills said the campaign shows how organisations can mobilise their communities for good through this type of partnership.

“We reach millions of people around the world every week through fitness, and with that comes responsibility,” Mills says.

“UNICEF is a trusted humanitarian organisation with the scale and expertise to turn collective action into real outcomes for children. Workout for the World is about using our global reach to support something that truly matters.”

Workout for the World aims to raise more than US$1 million to support UNICEF’s life-saving work for children.

To find out more about how to take part, visit workoutfortheworld.org.nz

GYPSY TEA ROOM IN RICHMOND ROAD IS BEING FORCED TO CLOSE

I’ve been to a large number of public meetings in my 22 years of editing and publishing Ponsonby News.

I attended one last night, where a crowd of around 200 locals were at the Grey Lynn RSC to support Brett Simeti, the coowner of The Gypsy Team Room. I have never seen such a big crowd ever!

This iconic bar is always packed and draws in celebrities along with locals and punters from other parts of Auckland. Barfoot & Thomson, the owner of the building housing the Gypsy was invited to attend to set out their plans for the site. They were asked on several occasions but declined the invitation.

Richard Upton, a local resident chaired the meeting and says the aim was to bring the community together to show Barfoots how the locals feel about the situation. I spoke to Brett after the meeting and he told us, “The outpouring of support, love, everything, you know, has really amazed me. A petition to try and keep The Gypsy open has generated over 3000 signatures. The fact that people are willing to go out of their way to try and help find a way where perhaps both my

interests and Barfoot's interests can merge together should be a no brainer.”

There were a number of slides shown last night, showing Barfoots using the Gypsy in their real estate listings marketing. Hearing people last night, many of them said Barfoots will lose a huge amount of goodwill in the neighbourhood. There has to be a way forward to keep our bar open without The Gypsy needing to relocate.

What can you do? Vote with your feet when choosing an agent. Remain vocal. Email Barfoots to tell them how you feel.

stephen@barfoot.co.nz (Barfoots HQ) acosgrave@barfoot.co.nz (Grey Lynn office) msymonds@barfoot.co.nz (Ponsonby office) savethegypsytearoom@gmail.com

Any other ideas are welcome.

We believe in freedom of speech and we love hearing from our readers - please send letters to the editor email info@ponsonbynews.co.nz PN DEADLINE - usually 20th of the monthwww.ponsonbynews.co.nz

UPDATE FROM NEW WORLD VICTORIA PARK

Planning and design work for the rebuild of New World Victoria Park has reached an important milestone, with concept designs now complete and the project moving into its next phase.

The team is now back on site undertaking preliminary works and preparing for construction to begin, subject to the necessary consents being approved. These activities will help ensure the project is ready to progress once approvals are in place.

Following the fire that significantly damaged the supermarket in 2025, extensive work has been undertaken behind the scenes to make the site safe, complete demolition works, progress detailed planning and advance the design of the new store.

The project team has now completed the concept design phase and is progressing structural engineering and detailed interior design work ahead of the next stage of construction.

New World Victoria Park owner Steve Purton said the past year had been one of the most challenging periods of his career.

"It's hard to believe it's been a year since the fire. Like many people in the community, I still remember the fire alarm sounding and realising the store we'd built over many years was in trouble.

"The past 12 months have been tough for our team, our customers and everyone connected to the store. But it's also been a year that has shown just how much New World Victoria Park means to people. The support we've received from customers, neighbouring businesses, the wider cooperative and the local community has been overwhelming.

"While there is still a lot of work ahead, reaching the concept design milestone is a significant step forward. It's exciting to now be able to see the future shape of the store and start bringing that vision to life.

"We're committed to creating a modern, sustainable supermarket that serves this community for many years to come. We know people are eager to see us back, and we're looking forward to the day we can welcome customers through the doors again."

The new supermarket will largely retain the existing footprint, helping streamline construction and support an earlier reopening, while delivering modern, efficient and futurefocused shopping.

The project team is also continuing to work towards delivering a Green Star-accredited supermarket, reflecting a commitment to sustainable building practices and store operations.

From next week, contractors will return to site to complete the final demolition works, clearing the way for main structural works to begin from August 2026.

Further updates on the rebuild will be shared as the project progresses.

A NEW DESTINATION FOR BEAUTIFUL FINDS

French Country Collections has opened its new Outlet in Grey Lynn, bringing together showroom samples, seconds, end-of-line furniture and discontinued collections at exceptional prices.

For nearly four decades, French Country Collections has sourced timeless furniture and homewares inspired by European living. The new Outlet offers another way to experience the brand, with an ever-changing selection of quality pieces ready to find a new home.

From statement furniture and lighting to decorative accessories, giftware and homewares, there is something for every budget. Alongside showroom samples and archived collections, the Outlet also includes a treasure trove of seconds, assessed and priced to reflect each item’s condition. These perfectly imperfect pieces with character and value will delight collectors and home lovers alike.

With fresh stock arriving regularly, no two visits are ever the same. Whether you’re furnishing a room, searching for a distinctive piece or simply enjoy discovering thoughtfully designed homewares, there is always something worth finding.

Visit them at 10 Pollen Street, Grey Lynn, Monday to Saturday, 10am–4pm.

www.frenchcountry.co.nz

| SAMPLES |

Pollen Street, Grey Lynn Mon - Sat | 10 am - 4 pm

ZOO’S DINOSAUR NIGHTS & LIGHTS RETURNS!

Illuminating evenings on the Dinosaur Discovery Track.

An immersive after dark experience of awe-inspiring prehistoric giants is on offer at Auckland Zoo these July holidays through Dinosaur Nights & Lights – opening to visitors on Friday 3 July.

The 3 - 18 July (5.30pm - 8.30pm) nightly event at the zoo’s recently opened 2026 Dinosaur Discovery Track, is an opportunity for whānau and friends of all ages to experience the track’s new animatronic inhabitants in a whole new light.

“This year the track has some very different and fascinating replicas from the Cretaceous and Jurassic periods – from gigantic Sauropods like the Brachiosaurus to Theropods, including the crested Crylophosaurus, of which fossil remains were only discovered in Antarctica in 1990.

“These and the track’s other animatronic creatures from world-leading dinosaur creators, The Dinosaur Company, are impressive and imposing enough during the day. However, when illuminated in the dark they are next level spectacular and offer an epic nighttime experience as the many visitors who attended last year’s event discovered,” says Auckland Zoo’s Visitor Engagement and Experience Manager, Zoe Firth.

Visitors to Dinosaur Nights & Lights (an alcohol-free event) are invited to bring their own kai or can purchase great hot food (including soup and fry bread) and treats and drinks from the zoo’s Korimako Café.

Along with the enjoying the track after dark, a ‘Silent Dino Disco’ at the dinosaur tent will be on offer to all those keen to get their dinosaur groove on!

Tickets and arrival details

Pre-booking your tickets to Dinosaur Nights & Lights is essential, as visitor numbers to these nights are limited. (General admission $19; annual memberships $9.50, children 3 years and under, Free).

Dinosaur Nights & Lights is located at the Zoo’s Dinosaur Discovery Track and surrounding the Watering Hole Plaza and the experience is restricted to this area and does not include access to the rest of the zoo. On arrival at the Zoo’s Entry Plaza, following presentation of your ticket(s) you will be guided by zoo staff down to the Dinosaur Discovery Track via a lit route, and escorted back to the zoo’s main entrance at the end of the evening.

aucklandzoo.co.nz

TWILIGHT TALKERS PONSONBY

Ponsonby’s casual, humorous and supportive public-speaking club.

You know that flutter of nerves before speaking in front of people – the racing heart, the dry mouth, the hope that someone else gets picked first? We’ve all been there. At Twilight Talkers Ponsonby, that flutter isn’t something to fear. It’s where all the best things begin.

Every second Tuesday, a group of us gathers to do something quietly wonderful – help each other build the confidence and skills to speak, present and lead in front of others. Twilight Talkers is a welcoming club affiliated with Toastmasters International, with members from all walks of life. And we’d love you to check us out.

What actually happens at a meeting?

You might picture something formal and intimidating. The reality is the opposite. Our meetings are warm, relaxed and genuinely good fun. Each fortnight, a few members give short prepared speeches while others try impromptu 'Table Topics' – speaking off the cuff on a surprise subject. They also develop leadership skills by learning to share motivating and constructive feedback with one another.

There’s never any pressure to perform, and newcomers are welcome to sit back and watch as guests before deciding whether to join in.

Why do people join?

What they find, often surprisingly quickly, is that the confidence they build follows them well beyond their Tuesday nights. A lot of quietly spoken mentorship goes on in the background. Some join to advance their careers. Others want the confidence to speak at weddings, farewells, community events or important family occasions. And a few have caught the bug completely, going on to compete nationally and internationally, and even to give TED Talks.

A supportive community worth being part of. What sets us apart is the people. We’re a small, diverse and very supportive group – professionals, creatives, career changers, retirees and newcomers to Auckland – all united by a desire to keep growing.

Drop in. Grab a drink. See for yourself. We meet every second Tuesday, 6.30pm–8pm, at the Ponsonby Community Centre, 20 Ponsonby Terrace, Ponsonby, Auckland.

Visit twilighttalkers.toastmastersclubs.org for more info about our club. To arrange a visit, text M: 022 570 6396 or email thetwilighttalkers@gmail.com

HERE’S WHAT OUR MEMBERS ARE SAYING:

“Toastmasters developed my leadership skills to the point where I now serve as the inaugural Auckland Division Director.” – Cedric Marie

“Been here forever – this club is the most casual, most humorous – and I’ve seen so much progress in so many. Keeps me coming back!” – Peter Anich

“Toastmasters has helped me foster a joy in public speaking. This has led to accepting new opportunities I thought were impossible.” – Rhiannon Hudson

“Joining Twilight Talkers has really helped me in my career with meetings and presentations.” – Lily Delany Hill

“Twilight Talkers has been such an engaging and supportive club for me. I really value it being the most casual club, considering that most interactions we have in life are in a casual setting.” – Kenneth Atmadja

If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I felt more confident speaking,” take this as your invitation. Come along as a guest – no commitment required. You might just surprise yourself.

Hope to see you on a Tuesday soon.

TRACY

FEICKERT President, Twilight Talkers Ponsonby Toastmasters

If you're curious about Toastmasters in New Zealand, visit www.toastmasters.org.nz

NEWS FROM KELMARNA FARM

Recently, we launched Kelmarna’s first ever Annual Appeal and kicked off with something very special.

A generous supporter has offered a $50,000 matched donation – meaning every dollar given during this campaign will be doubled. What a fantastic incentive to help us reach our target of $100,000!

Two years ago the community showed up for Kelmarna in a big way. We launched the Save Kelmarna Campaign and received an outpouring of generosity that changed what is possible for Kelmarna. We now have a pathway to stabilise, flourish and keep doing the work that means so much to the community.

Our farm shop and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) are selling more than ever before and our programmes are reaching more people than at any point in Kelmarna’s history.

We have strengthened and deepened our volunteering, therapeutic gardening and education systems and the community feedback is so heartwarming.

On top of that, we have secured a 20-year lease on this beautiful whenua from the Waitematā Local Board at Auckland Council. This is a major milestone. It means we can think bigger, plan longer and dream with more confidence than ever before.

We are in the early stages of developing a long-term vision for Kelmarna, shaped by and for this community. What role could Kelmarna play over the next two decades in Tāmaki Makaurau’s food resilience, in hauora, in education, in the urban kai network?

To reach this vision we need to keep the farm and our programmes operational, hence this appeal.

We know this is a tough time for many people. If you are in a position to give, your donation today will help build the foundation for tomorrow – in the garden, in the community

and in the wider food system conversations that impact Aotearoa's future. And, wonderfully, every dollar donated will be worth two.

Plus, every $50 donated during the appeal earns one entry to win one of two prize packs generously donated by our local business community. Please visit our website for all the details.

If things are tight, the most meaningful thing you can do is stay connected. Come and volunteer, sign up to our mailing list or share this appeal with friends and whanau.

Two of the programmes we're most proud of sit at the heart of why Kelmarna exists:

Our Therapeutic Gardening programme supports people who are navigating significant challenges to their hauora and wellbeing. It runs five days a week and provides approximately 2500 hours of gardening annually. For the participants, the garden is a place to slow down, reconnect with the rhythms of the natural world, and find a sense of purpose and belonging. We know from the feedback we receive that this programme changes lives.

Our School Education programme brings tamariki onto the farm for experiences that many of them simply can't get anywhere else in the city – getting their hands in the soil, learning where their kai comes from, meeting the hens, understanding how compost works and seeing a living, breathing food system in action.

When you donate, volunteer or spread the word about Kelmarna, you are contributing to an ecosystem that grows more than just food. Your support helps grow a better future for Aotearoa. Visit our website: kelmarna.co.nz/donate

KELMARNA COMMUNITY FARM, 12 Hukanui Crescent, T: 09 376 0472, www.kelmarna.co.nz

THE LEYS INSTITUTE LIBRARY

The Leys Institute Library in Ponsonby is a cherished community landmark.

Gifted to the people of Auckland in 1905 by brothers William and Thomas Leys, the building uniquely combined a public library and a gymnasium, reflecting the Victorian ideal of mens sana in corpore sano — a healthy mind in a healthy body. For generations, it has served as a place of learning, wellbeing and community connection. Then, in 2019, it was closed because of seismic risk. Giant poles supported the back of the building because the foundations had twisted.

What was required was not simply restoration, but a thoughtful reconstruction that honoured the building’s heritage while adapting it for contemporary use. The journey has involved detailed planning, heritage assessments, work to address water ingress and sustained efforts to secure funding in an increasingly constrained environment.

The local board has been obliged to sell off some properties, including some non-service properties given by the Leys family to fund upkeep of their bequest. The foresight and generosity of the family has been key to the project's progress, and we extend our thanks.

Project ambitions have also been refined: plans to extend the gymnasium were set aside to prioritise restoring the library to a high standard. This includes replacing the unsuccessful rear addition with a light-filled atrium, creating an internal connection between the library and gym and expanding library space — including dedicated areas for children.

Advocacy from the local community, the Friends of the Leys and the Waitematā Local Board and the support of the Governing Body, particularly planning committee chair Councillor Richard Hills, have been vital in reaching this point.

The project has now reached a significant milestone. All required consents have been obtained and the project is out to tender with construction on track to begin in spring.

(ALEXANDRA BONHAM, Local Board Chair, Waitematā Local Board)

MEET THE MARINE NEWBORNS

Seaweed IVF begins a new chapter for the gulf.

When I visited the hatchery at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s recently, I didn’t expect to find myself grinning at a tank full of seaweed. But there I was, leaning over like an excited kid, watching tiny kelp babies drifting around a tank. If you’d told me a few years ago that part of my job would involve celebrating IVF for seaweed, I might not have believed you. Yet here we are, and honestly, it’s fantastic.

These little kelp seedlings are the first signs of success from our partnership between Auckland Council, Mana Whenua and Toi Waihanga as we transform Wynyard Point into Te Ara Tukutuku, a space shaped by mātauranga Māori and science. Above the water we’re turning an old tank farm into a waterfront we can all be proud of and, below we’re quietly cheering on the comeback of an entire ecosystem.

Watching the kelp in its earliest life stage felt a bit like watching a nursery full of newborns – tiny, fragile and full of potential. And yes, it really is like IVF for seaweed. We’re giving kelp the boost it needs during its most vulnerable phase so it can eventually grow into the underwater forests the Hauraki Gulf desperately needs. Those forests used to be everywhere. Now, thanks to kina barrens, sediment and warming seas, they’re more like a fading memory.

But the exciting part is that we’re bringing them back.

The seedlings I saw were grown by Greenwave Aotearoa, an EnviroStrat venture doing some seriously clever work. One of their most promising tools is green gravel – tiny stones coated in microscopic kelp. It sounds like something from a marine fairy tale, but it’s real science. Drop the stones onto the seafloor, and the baby kelp grabs hold, grows up and eventually becomes lush – full of fish, green growth and life.

Early trials using local broodstock show that our gulf kelp is more than ready for a comeback and research with the University of Waikato is helping finetune the method –momentum is building.

Te Ara Tukutuku is exactly the kind of project that reminds me why collaboration matters. When innovation, mātauranga Māori and community energy come together, things start to happen – good things.

I feel genuinely excited. Because this isn’t just restoration work. It’s a reminder that nature wants to bounce back and sometimes all it needs is a little nudge, a little creativity and a team of people who believe in the power of small beginnings.

DESLEY SIMPSON, Deputy Mayor of Auckland www.desleysimpson.co.nz

REST IN PEACE NAENAE FROM SPQR

The Ponsonby News team would like to acknowledge the huge loss of Nutana Nathan Andrews, aka the inimitable NaeNae from SPQR.

An incredibly kind, witty and generous person who was capable of turning any night into something really quite fabulous, Nathan was a true Ponsonby superstar and will be missed by so many.

Much love to his whānau and all those that loved him, Rest in Peace dear boy.

NATIONAL PARTY CANDIDATE FOR AUCKLAND CENTRAL

Auckland Central should be the front door to New Zealand: confident in itself, safer in its streets and open for business again.

When I arrived in New Zealand in 1998, I was in my early twenties, newly married to a Kiwi, and ready to make a start in a country that felt unfamiliar, but full of possibility.

I did not come with much, but I came ready to work hard to build a life and career in a new and exciting place. New Zealand took a chance on me, and I took a chance on New Zealand. Looking back, I think we both won.

Auckland Central is where I built my life from the ground up. It is where I got my first job as a receptionist and part-time accounts clerk on Shortland Street. It supported me to build my career, and I discovered the extraordinary energy of a place that has always been creative, ambitious, restless and resilient. That is why I love it.

I have spent my career building things, fixing things, leading organisations and backing people who take risks. I was CEO of one of the first start-up companies to go through the ICEHOUSE, then CEO of NZTech, helping launch TechWeek and create Women in Tech NZ and ShadowTech, so more young women could see a future for themselves in technology. I served on the University of Auckland Council of Governors, worked across data and tech, health science, energy, infrastructure, venture capital and governance, a founding trustee of the Well Foundation and was President of the Cancer Society Auckland and Northland for six years.

Those roles taught me that delivery is all about who needs to be in the room, what decision has to be made, and how to keep negotiating and pushing when the first answer is no or “it’s not possible.”

That is why I am standing.

Auckland Central has been a constant for over half my lifetime, and I know it can be so much more than it is today. It has the bones of one of the great inner-city communities anywhere in the world, with the harbour, heritage streets, creative economy, universities, small businesses, restaurants, galleries and locals who love it as much as I do.

But good bones are not enough, an ambitious city also needs confidence.

Across the electorate, people tell me they want the basics working better. National is making strong progress by restoring consequences to criminals, backing victims by making stalking a crime, putting more Police back on the beat and opening a new central city station, cracking down on serious youth offending, and taking retail crime seriously. The message is clear from Government, communities should not have to lower their standards to accommodate lawlessness.

There is still more to do. I am standing not only because of what needs fixing, I am standing because of what Auckland Central can become when we continue to fix the basics. When confidence is high, people invest, hire, renovate, take risks again, and a city starts to thrive.

That is the Auckland Central I want to help build up for the future. A place where businesses are backed, students see opportunity here, growth is sensible, public spaces are cared for, and people who work hard, save carefully, invest, create, employ and give back are encouraged and rewarded.

This electorate does not need another three years of performance politics. It needs someone who can work with central Government, Council, local boards, businesses and communities to get things moving. Auckland Central has had plenty of noise, now it needs action. I will be out across the electorate door knocking, visiting businesses, apartment buildings, hosting community meetings and in my office at 188 Ponsonby Road, listening first, working hard, and earning your support.

Please drop by to 188 Ponsonby Road and say hello, I would genuinely love to meet you.  PN

CANDACE KINSER

National Party Candidate for Auckland Central. candace.kinser@national.org.nz www.national.org.nz/candacekinser

WAYNE BROWN:

MAYOR OF AUCKLAND

Let's get Auckland growing in the right places.

For many years Auckland has been grappling with where we put future housing and how we accommodate growth.

Recently, Auckland Council's Policy, Planning and Development Committee agreed to send two options for future housing intensification – Scenarios A and B – to local boards and iwi for feedback.

Scenario A is about doing the legal minimum, Scenario B allows housing intensification along the inner eastern and southern train stations, the main bus routes into the city and local town centres.

On July 21, the committee will decide which option should proceed. It should be B.

I've always said Auckland needs to grow, but it needs to grow in the right places. That means putting more homes where people have access to good transport, jobs, shops and services. It means making the most of the enormous investment Aucklanders have already made in infrastructure like the City Rail Link, and stopping the endless sprawl.

I must be clear here. Scenario B is not a radical proposal. In fact, the large majority of suburban Auckland would see no change from the current Auckland Unitary Plan.

Scenario B removes previous PC120 proposals relating to some of the less sensible outer suburban bus routes and what remains is a targeted approach that aligns housing growth with transport investment. Transport on the peripheral in the suburbs doesn’t need the same intensification as the inner parts of the city.

What Scenario B does do is focus additional growth around the places where it makes the most sense and 85 per cent of Auckland would remain as it currently is under the unitary plan. Stations such as Ellerslie, Greenlane, Meadowbank, Ōrākei and Newmarket will all benefit significantly from the

City Rail Link once it opens. Many of these locations will be just 10 to 15 minutes from the city centre by train. These are currently included in B.

If we were to lock in Scenario A, we would be saying no to many of these opportunities. We would be limiting growth to just train stations on the western line and turning down sensible intensification along major transport corridors. That makes no sense.

We would also miss opportunities for carefully considered growth in town centres that already have services and amenities in place.

The consequence is straightforward. We would end up with less intensification in the places where it works best.

Auckland shouldn’t be the world’s biggest suburb and sprawl comes at a cost. It requires new roads, pipes, transport links and community facilities. It locks up infrastructure funding and capacity that could be better used elsewhere. Ultimately, Auckland ratepayers end up paying more.

It also gives us flexibility. It means we give the Independent Hearings Panel a buffer capacity to make decisions based on what they hear from the public, as well as an opportunity to deal with any natural hazard issues.

We should listen carefully to the feedback from the local boards and iwi. I'm open to changes where proposals don't stack up and to practical improvements where they are needed.

But after years of debate, Auckland should not settle for doing the bare minimum required by Wellington. We need a plan that reflects what is best for our city.

That's what Scenario B delivers. (WAYNE BROWN)  PN mayorofaucklandmedia@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

CO-LEADER OF THE GREEN PARTY AND MP FOR AUCKLAND CENTRAL

Our city has so much talent, creativity and innovation, but right now we’re losing it to economic settings that seem determined to pave paradise and put up a parking lot.

This is not inevitable. It’s not natural. It’s rules made by human beings in politics and they can change if we want them to.

In just the past few weeks, we’ve seen the closure announced of more iconic small businesses. We’re seeing some of the highest liquidations we’ve seen in many, many years. A big and welldocumented part of the reason is that IRD is chasing down companies in substantive arrears following the challenges of Covid and consequent economic disruption.

In many respects, that is fair and important as far as the integrity and operation of our tax system goes. However, it starts to feel a heck of a lot less so when you understand that the IRD is chasing down student loan holders and small businesses but choosing not to apply the already existing law to ensure major tech companies are not sucking billions out of our economy.

It’s exactly this point I put to Revenue Minister Simon Watts and the IRD officials in Parliament’s Scrutiny Week this June. The tax department can apply the 5% withholding tax rate under our NZ-USA double taxation agreement, right now, to the ‘subscription’ services that multi nationals like Facebook and Amazon pay to their related offshore companies in hopes of obscuring and minimising tax obligations.

National Minister Watts shrugged it off and said it was up to the IRD. The IRD said it was just doing its job as resourced and determined by the Government. Who’s in charge? Well, the Government is, as they declare they are when they want to be, but never seemingly when it comes to actually using their power to fix things for regular New Zealanders.

As a country, we can decide it's our priority to support local. That means economic settings that genuinely invest in ourselves, our infrastructure, our capacity, our jobs, our creativity, our events, our spaces and regular punters having enough resources to go out. That means a fairer tax system, tackling mega-corporate greed to ensure a lower cost of living for food, housing, power bills.

It's simply inconsistent with democracy to tolerate extreme inequality and, clearly, extreme inequality is a creativity killer.

We can do this. Other countries have.

That’s why I’m proud that the first policy the Greens have announced this election is our tax policy. The topic is always controversial, but it’s basic economic sense for a functional society, and I’m looking forward to talking about it with everyone in Auckland Central.

By introducing a wealth tax on net wealth (that is, minus assets) above and over $10 million (excluding the family home) and reinstating the corporate tax rate to pre-2008 33% for the largest 0.7% of companies, levelling the playing field for regular small to medium enterprises, we can not only afford income tax cuts for 96% of working New Zealanders. We can

also unlock the resources necessary to invest in rebuilding our infrastructure, our economy and our opportunity.

I understand some people don’t like change. But something has got to give. If you’ve looked over at the United States and wondered how their economy is so unequal (where people are denied healthcare and medicine when they can’t afford it) and their politics so toxic – we are on that track, unless we make different decisions to raise the floor for all.

We’re not in competition for survival. We need each other. By deciding to work together as a country, like we have in the past, we can and will improve all of our fortunes.

chloe.swarbrick@parliament.govt.nz (CHLÖE SWARBRICK)  PN

HELEN WHITE, MP FOR MT ALBERT:

THE COURAGE OF TOLERANCE

Every so often, a particularly unpleasant email lands in my inbox or social media message appears on my feed.

Sometimes it is simply abusive. Occasionally it questions my motives rather than my arguments. Sometimes it suggests I change the moisturiser I use. More often than not, it serves as a reminder of how quickly disagreement can become personal.

After receiving one such message recently, I found myself reflecting on whether tolerance has become one of the most underrated virtues in public life.

And rather appropriately, the unpleasant message arrived just as I was reading Helena Rosenblatt’s, ‘The Lost History of Liberalism’, a fascinating account of how liberalism developed long before it became associated with free markets and tax rates. Rosenblatt argues that liberalism was originally understood as a moral and civic tradition concerned with generosity, pluralism and the difficult business of living together despite our differences.

It was never intended to be simply a doctrine of individual rights. Early liberals talked about obligations, character and civic virtue. They believed freedom depended not only on what governments did, but on how citizens treated one another.

That idea feels oddly absent from contemporary politics. Reading the book while reflecting on the increasingly hostile tone of public debate has left me thinking about tolerance as a political choice. Perhaps in modern New Zealand, one of the bravest choices available to us.

Much of our debate now revolves around division. Homeowners versus renters. Public servants versus taxpayers. Rural New Zealand versus urban New Zealand. Auckland versus almost everyone else. Divisions that many political actors are keen to stoke.

Yet New Zealand has generally been at its best when we have resisted such simple black and white characterisation. Some of the great achievements in our history, from giving women the vote to creating a public health system, from homosexual law reform to pay equity, were built on a recognition that individual and collective wellbeing were not opposing concepts. A true liberal society is a place where people recognise collective goals and shared responsibilities.

An important thing about shared responsibilities is that a tolerant approach to managing them is not the same thing as agreement about their various aspects. A significant element of MMP is that it institutionalises disagreement, meaning that tolerance is fundamental to its effective practice. Its success depends on participants accepting that those with different political views can be intelligent, principled and acting in good faith without abandoning their own convictions. It requires enough confidence in those convictions to engage respectfully with opposing views rather than questioning motives or caricaturing opponents.

Another aspect of true liberalism that Rosenblatt presents as particularly relevant today, is that it has always been concerned with human flourishing. Historically, liberals were deeply interested in education, opportunity and social progress. They wanted people not merely to be free from interference, but to have genuine opportunities to develop their talents and participate fully in society.

Christopher Luxon says he wants us to stop being ‘a very negative, wet, whiny, inward-looking country’ but his Government has magnificently failed to articulate a vision for us to achieve that. There has been considerable emphasis on fiscal discipline, regulatory reform and public sector restraint.

Those conversations matter, of course, but balance sheets are not a national purpose or a blueprint for flourishing.

If we are, or aim to become, a liberal society in the truest sense, the important question is not whether we are balancing the books but whether or not we are expanding opportunity for future generations. Whether we are building enough homes, creating jobs and keeping people well – conditions in which people thrive. A liberal politics worthy of the name should care about all these things, not because government can solve every problem, but because flourishing societies require more than efficient administration. They also depend on a culture of tolerance that allows people with profound differences to work together in seeking solutions.

The nastier moments of public life and the politics of division, however, make it tempting to abandon the idea of tolerance and respond in kind. They encourage us to see disagreement as hostility and opponents as enemies rather than fellow citizens. That is precisely why hanging on to tolerance matters, having the confidence to disagree without dehumanising, to argue without despising, and to remain part of a shared national conversation.

Rosenblatt is right.

Tolerance is not some optional extra attached to liberal democracy. It is one of the pillars holding it up, and in a political age that rewards outrage and division, it may be one of the bravest choices we can make. (HELEN WHITE)  PN

helen.white@parliament.govt.nz www.labour.org.nz/HelenWhite

U3A PONSONBY JUNE

The U3A Ponsonby membership was treated to a thoroughly entertaining and interesting presentation by journalist Jack Tame covering his lifetime fascination and involvement with the media.

Jack has the gift of engaging his audience while not allowing difficult unanswered questions to slide by.

Jack’s story began at the age of 10 as a curious boy when he would interact with his father to share the reading and division and sections of the Christchurch Press. This interest led to an involvement in student journalism and his subsequent enrolment at the New Zealand Journalism School in Christchurch, where he was required to learn shorthand as a key requirement (80 words a minute). Cell phones and associated electronic support tools had yet to be invented. In 2005, he took up an internship with TVNZ which led to involvements on all the major networks and TV stations.

Jack recounted that a highlight was in 2008 when he landed a regular role with the TVNZ Breakfast Show with Pippa Wetzell. His roles expanded over the next few years to include reporting on the Olympic Games, the Bain murder trial, and the Christchurch earthquake. In 2011, he spent a short time in New York working under the then resident TVNZ reporter Tim Wilson. When Wilson retired in late 2011, Jack at the age of 24 took over his role.

A five year intense involvement in US events began. Jack was involved in the transition from a joint reporter/photographer role to a sole reporter role supported by increasingly remote/ electronic support equipment. This included visiting and reporting from over 40 US states. By early 2017, Jack was back in New Zealand where, since 2019, his very personal involvement and focus has been developing and hosting the Q+A programme.

For the second half of his presentation, Jack highlighted the changes that have taken place in journalism over the past 20 years.

When Jack was first employed as a journalist, the business model for newspapers and TV world was very different to today. Cell phones hadn’t yet been invented and any recording devices or cameras were large, heavy and/ or cumbersome. Social media had not been invented. When social media came on the scene, it was sold as a technology that was 'socially beneficial'. Now, it has become the haven for unlimited advertising with 90 percent of its content dedicated to advertising or publicity.

Twenty years ago, advertising provided major funding for the world’s newspapers but this is no longer the case. Google was quoted an example as a sink for advertising dollars in New Zealand. Google pays no tax to New Zealand.

· When Jack was first employed, newspapers would feature long and detailed articles on topics of major interest. The growth in digital technologies has led to shorter and shorter sound bites.

· The level of trust in journalism has also been progressively eroded. It further eroded during Covid.

Jack’s closing remarks were focused on the strategies he uses to make the Q+A programme the trusted and interesting presentation it has become. Since its inception in 2019, the focus of Q+A has been to present an open minded approach to whatever topic is under discussion.

Members of parliament from all political parties are encouraged to participate. Jack avoids giving opinions during the show. All key ministers or members within the current parliament have been invited to participate and Jack stressed that his only recent disappointment has been his inability to encourage our current Prime Minister to participate in the programme. (CHRISTINE HART)

NEXT MEETING: Friday, 17 July 2026

GUEST SPEAKER: Malcolm Walker – Architect

VENUE: Herne Bay Petanque Club, Salisbury Reserve, Salisbury Street, Herne Bay

ENQUIRIES: Bronwen Hughes, President, Ponsonby U3A, www.u3a.nz

NEWS FROM THE LEYS LITTLE LIBRARY

July is, of course, Matariki. It is a time for whānau to come together and enjoy one another’s company.

It’s also time to reflect on the past and prepare for the year ahead. The school holidays also happen in July. In this newsletter, we have an outline of our mostly Matariki themed holiday programme. And, over the holiday period, it’s important to keep tamariki reading, so we close this newsletter with some books by one of our highly recommended children’s authors and illustrators.

LEYS INSTITUTE LITTLE LIBRARY’S SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME JULY 2026

Monday 6 July

Matariki Storytime

2pm-2:30pm

Join us for stories and songs that celebrate Matariki. Suitable for younger tamariki.

Thursday 9 July

Matariki drop-in craft event 10am-5pm

Matariki manako nui

The wishes and desires of Matariki

Traditionally, Māori would send their hopes and dreams into the stars during Matariki. We have printed stars for you to decorate and write your wishes for the coming year. You can keep your star or add it to a Matraiki library display. This is a drop in event and you are welcome to visit any time of the day.

Monday 13 July

Storytime

Join us for songs and stories in a half hour session that celebrates Matariki.

Friday 17 July

2pm-3:30pm

Robogals Elastic Catapult Workshop

In this workshop, kids will design, build and test elasticpowered catapults. By adjusting the number and arrangement of popsicle sticks, they will explore how elasticity and deflection affect force, distance and projectile motion.

Robogals is run by volunteers from the University of Auckland. They run STEM-focused workshops.

Signup at eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/robogalselastic-catapult-workshop-tickets-1990309611626

Recommended Book Author

Gavin Bishop is one of our much decorated and celebrated authors. He has written and illustrated over 70 books for children. His series of board books in te reo Māori are a great way to introduce Māori to little ones. We recommend the board book Matariki, which covers the star cluster. Older kids may like Atua - Māori Gods and Heroes. Or in a similar vein, Taming the Sun Four Māori Myths. Both books are visually striking and written simply and concisely. In other words, highly engaging.

Hours: Monday - Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 9am-4pm, Sunday Closed.

Please note we will be closed Friday 10 July for Matariki.

LEYS INSTITUTE LITTLE LIBRARY, 14 Jervois Road, T: 09 377 0209, www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz leysinstitutelibraryponsonby@aklc.govt.nz

MIKE LEE:

THAT 7.9% RATES RISE

There has been quite a bit of media coverage over the past few weeks about the unhappy state of affairs within Auckland Council – particularly the strained relations between Mayor Wayne Brown and those councillors, including myself, who opposed Brown's record 7.9% rates increase.

When the draft Annual Plan 2026/27 went out for public submissions late last February, in the very first sentence of his proposal, Wayne Brown declared: "When I ran for Mayor I said I would fix Auckland. This is what I am doing." But how does that statement equate with reality?

The 7.9% rates increase has sparked considerable anger among hard-pressed Aucklanders already grappling with the cost-of-living crisis. There has been fairly scathing criticism of Brown and his councillor supporters in the mainstream media and, particularly, on social media. Brown has responded with his own professionally produced social media campaign, doubling down, lecturing critics that he is right and they are wrong, and blaming everything on the City Rail Link (CRL). The Mayor and his inner circle have reacted to the public backlash – which seems to have surprised them – by directing their resentment towards dissenting councillors, whom they evidently feel have shown them up in the eyes of the public.

So, to determine whether Mayor Brown is fixing Auckland, let's look at the numbers. First off, this is indeed a record rates increase, expected to generate approximately $322 million of additional rates revenue for the council. While 7.9% is the average increase for residential ratepayers, the council's total rates revenue is projected to increase by approximately 10.5%, reflecting growth in the rating base, new dwellings, revaluations and changes to targeted and business rates.

This tends to undermine claims by Brown and his supporters that the rates increase is entirely due to the CRL. Brown has gone so far as to claim that it is "a zero rates increase plus the CRL.” Yet, even if one accepts the proposition that Aucklanders have not been long paying for the nearly $3 billion in council borrowing required to fund the project, the council's stated cost of CRL opex in 2026/27 is $235 million – not $322 million.

Rates increases above the rate of inflation have become a continuing pattern in Auckland. Since Wayne Brown came into office, rates increases have been 7.7% in 2023/24, 6.8% in 2024/25, 5.8% in 2025/26 and now 7.9% in 2026/27. Under Brown, Auckland Council's annual rates take has increased from approximately $2.28 billion in 2022/23 to about $3.29 billion in 2026/27. Does 'fixing Auckland'

really mean extracting more than an additional $1 billion a year from Auckland ratepayers in just four years?

I have heard the Mayor claim that Auckland's rates are not the highest in the country, citing Wellington City as an example. Again, there is some sleight of hand here. Until now, most other local authorities in New Zealand have included household water and wastewater charges in their rates bills. (Wellington City is now in the process of separating these out.) On this basis, when you include council-owned Watercare charges, Auckland does indeed have the highest rates, and Watercare has just announced its own 7.2% increase.

For the average household, rates have increased from $4057 last year to $4378 today. Water and wastewater charges have increased from $1340 to $1440. Together, that amounts to $5818 per household. Of course, thousands of Aucklanders pay considerably more than that. Then there’s the increase in user charges.

Let's look at debt. When Wayne Brown came into office, collective council and Watercare debt stood at approximately $12.35 billion. Today, it is approximately $17.08 billion. Debt has therefore been increasing by around $1.18 billion every year.

Last year, Watercare's debt was separated from the council's balance sheet. Regardless, the growing collective debt and its interest burden will be borne by present-day Aucklanders and future generations.

Speaking of future generations, during his first term Mayor Brown persuaded a majority of councillors – some in breach of their election manifestos – to sell the council's legacy shareholding in Auckland International Airport, an intergenerational, blue-chip, income-earning asset belonging to Aucklanders – now gone.

So, in terms of 'fixing Auckland', if you think increasing rates revenue by more than $1 billion a year and adding debt at a rate of around $1.18 billion every year amounts to fixing Auckland, then I have a bridge to sell you.

In fact, Wayne Brown has a bridge to sell you – at Point Chevalier – and he's not joking. (MIKE LEE)  PN

www.mikelee.co.nz

KEN

RING:

WEATHER BY THE MOON AUCKLAND WEATHER DIARY, JULY 2026

July may bring above average rainfall and below average sun.

Most rain is expected in the first week, with some flooding possible. The second and third weeks are showery, while the fourth week may be the driest and sunniest. The last few days of the month may be overcast, with clear skies at night. The best weekend for outdoor activities may be the 25th/26th. The barometer may average around 1015mbs.

For fishermen, the third largest kingtide of the year is on or near the 16th. The best fishing bite times in the east may be around dusk times of 1st-2nd, 13th-15th, and 29th-31st. Bite chances are also good around lunchtimes of 7th-9th and 20th-22nd.

For gardeners, pruning is best 1st-12th, (waning moon descending), whilst planting is best on 15th-26th (waxing moon ascending). For preserving and longer shelf-life, prevent water-logging by harvesting crops or flowers on the neap tides of the 9th and 24th.

Allow 24-hour error for all forecasting. (KEN RING)  PN

For future weather for any date, and the 2026 NZ Weather Almanacs, see www.predictweather.com

Opinions expressed in Ponsonby News are not always the opinion of Alchemy Media Limited & Ponsonby News.

TE RIMUTAHI UPDATE - JULY 2026

Rimu Tree.

The name Te Rimutahi translates to the ‘lone rimu tree’ referring to a sacred tree that once stood where Ponsonby and Karangahape Roads intersect today. Te Rimutahi also refers to the entire Ponsonby ridgeline, a traditional walking track linking Maungawhau and Te Oka pā.

Rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum) is an iconic and slow-growing tree. The juvenile form features drooping branches densely clothed with short, light green, needle-like leaves. A mature tree has a broad crown and eventually reaches a height of 25m and a width of 10m, with leaves that are now short and sharp. Rimu is suited to growing as a specimen in a large garden or park and so a mature tree was selected for planting at Te Rimutahi, the new civic space at 254 Ponsonby Road.

The rimu was lifted into position at Te Rimutahi on Monday 31 March, 2025.

After a challenging year climatically, an assessment of the rimu at Te Rimutahi was undertaken by the (Acting) Urban Forest Manager on Tuesday 12 May, 2026. He reported:

The tree was observed to be exhibiting signs of physiological stress. This is most likely attributable to environmental factors, particularly exposure. Notable symptoms included browning of the foliage and visible cracking of the bark on the northwestern aspect of the stem. This aligns with the area receiving the greatest intensity of direct sunlight, suggesting possible sun scald and associated moisture stress.

Further to this, I understand… that the tree was installed as a large-grade transplant. It is common for larger transplants to exhibit symptoms of stress following relocation from nursery conditions to their final planting environment. The adjustment periodcaninvolvereducedrootfunctionalityrelativetocanopy demand, increasing susceptibility to environmental stressors such as heat and exposure.

At this stage, the observed symptoms are consistent with transplant shock combined with environmental exposure.

Continued monitoring is recommended to assess the tree’s recovery and to determine whether further intervention is required.

We were encouraged the rimu could survive and recover. However, on June 4, 2026 we were advised:

After assessments by Natural Habitats, the contractor and AC urban tree team, it was decided to replace the rimu tree with a smaller one in the current planting season. This is being carried out under warranty, as the 12 month period is now up.

The rimu was removed on Saturday 13 June, 2026.

Moving mature established rimu is a challenging endeavour. Unlike hardy exotics, rimu have dense, shallow lateral root systems and rarely develop a deep taproot. The roots, which extend far beyond the tree’s crown, live almost entirely in the top layers of the soil, making them exceptionally sensitive to compaction and soil disturbance.

Rimu is slow growing, typically only 10-20cm per year in height. It can take 20 years for rimu to bear fruit. These are tiny black seeds that sit on a bright red, fleshy base and are a delicacy for native birds like the kererū and tūī. Rimu trees are extremely long lived, with lifespans of 600-800 years being common.

At time of writing, the (younger and smaller) replacement rimu was scheduled to be planted by Sunday, 28 June. Nau mai, haere mai. We can now all look forward to seeing it establish and thrive for scores of future generations to enjoy.

Bravo! (JENNIFER WARD)  PN

For more information or to contact the Community-Led Design Group, see our website 254ponsonbyrd.org.nz Instagram te_rimutahi_ Facebook Te Rimutahi or 254 Ponsonby Road

RISKY RENOVATIONS?

Kiwis love to renovate. Whether it is building a deck, converting a garage, opening up a living area or upgrading a kitchen or bathroom, improvements can add real value to a property.

However, any perceived increase in value should be considered in the context of the cost and time involved in obtaining all relevant consents and professional sign-offs, or the risks of failing to do so. Those risks may include difficulties with insurance, bank lending, future sale negotiations or potential liability to a purchaser. Problems with renovation work often do not surface until years later, often when the owner decides to sell.

Consents

Many renovations require building consent. Examples may include building a deck over 1.5 metres in height, converting a garage into a bedroom, or carrying out work involving structural changes, plumbing, drainage or wet-area waterproofing (eg, tiling a bathroom). Some work may be exempt under the Building Act, eg, if it’s like for like.

Obtaining building consent is only the first step. Once the work is completed, an owner must apply for a Code Compliance Certificate (CCC). A CCC confirms that the completed building work complies with the building consent. A missing CCC can create significant issues on sale, particularly where a purchaser, lender or insurer reviews the council records and unconsented works are noted.

If work has been completed without the required consent, an owner may apply for a Certificate of Acceptance. This is a sign off from the council that even though a building consent wasn’t obtained, the work is compliant with the Building Code to the extent that the council is able to verify it.

Warranties and Liability

When selling property, vendors are commonly required to give warranties that any building work was completed with the necessary consents and approvals. If unconsented or noncompliant work is later discovered, the vendor may face a claim from the purchaser for loss suffered as a result of a breach of those warranties.

LIMs

A Land Information Memorandum (LIM) records information held by the local council about a property. This may include building consents, CCCs, resource consents, zoning, drainage, known hazards, rates, notices, heritage controls and other relevant matters. A council property file may also contain plans and historical records. Reviewing these documents before renovating can help identify whether the proposed work triggers additional requirements.

Insurance and Lending Risks

Undisclosed or unconsented renovations can also affect insurance. Insurers may exclude cover for defective or noncompliant work, decline claims connected with undisclosed renovations or refuse full cover. For example, if an owner undertakes unconsented DIY renovations by retiling their shower, if their shower leaks as a result, their insurer may refuse to cover any damage to the property caused by the leak. This can also affect bank lending, as lenders typically require satisfactory insurance before advancing funds to a purchaser.

Title and Heritage Controls

The property’s title should also be checked. If a home is on a cross-lease, alterations may require the consent of neighbouring owners and, in some cases, an updated flats plan. Unit title properties may require body corporate approval. Properties in heritage or special character areas may require resource consent, even where the building work itself appears minor. In Auckland, relevant overlays can be checked through council mapping tools, including historic heritage, special character, notable trees and scheduled places.

A successful renovation should improve a home, not create problems that emerge years later. Before starting work, owners should check consent requirements, council records, insurance implications, title restrictions and any heritage or planning controls. Careful planning at the outset can protect both the value of the property and the owner’s position when it comes time to sell.

Chloe Wilson, Senior Associate E: chloe.wilson@swlegal.co.nz

STEINDLE WILLIAMS LEGAL, Level 2, Suite 2.1, 18 Sale Street, T: 09 361 5563, www.swlegal.co.nz

FARESHARE AND RISING FUEL COSTS

A Smarter Commuting Solution for NZ Businesses.

With rising fuel prices placing pressure on household budgets across New Zealand, commuting by car has become expensive for many employees.

For businesses, this creates an opportunity to provide meaningful support while also improving sustainability outcomes. Auckland Transport’s FareShare scheme offers a practical, cost-effective way to respond.

What is FareShare?

FareShare is an employer-supported public transport programme that allows businesses to subsidise employee travel on buses, trains and ferries. Employers can choose to cover 25%, 50% or 75% of fares, with the discount automatically applied via employees AT HOP cards.

The system is simple to manage, with no administration fees and monthly billing based only on actual usage.

Supporting Employees Through Rising Petrol Costs

As fuel prices rise, employees using private vehicles face higher daily expenses and increased financial stress. FareShare addresses this by making public transport significantly more affordable, offering a reliable alternative to using the car.

By easing commuting costs, businesses can deliver immediate, tangible value to staff, helping them better manage the cost of living while improving overall morale.

Business Benefits in a High Fuel Cost Environment

1. Reduced Costs and Greater Efficiency

Fuel price increases also impact businesses through mileage claims, fleet costs and parking expenses. Encouraging public transport use through FareShare can reduce these costs while improving efficiency. Employers are only charged for actual usage, making it a flexible and scalable solution.

Additionally, FareShare is exempt from Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT), making it more cost-effective than many other employee benefits.

2. Less Dependence on Fuel

FareShare helps organisations reduce reliance on petrol by shifting commuting habits toward public transport. This not only protects businesses and employees from ongoing fuel price volatility but also contributes to reduced congestion on busy roads.

3. Stronger Sustainability Outcomes

Reducing fuel consumption directly supports environmental goals. By encouraging public transport use, businesses can lower emissions, particularly Scope 3 emissions linked to staff commuting, and align with broader climate targets. It’s a great marketing tool as well.

This makes FareShare a practical step toward achieving sustainability objectives.

4. Improved Employee Experience

Commuting can be one of the most stressful parts of the day, especially when fuel costs are high. FareShare provides a more affordable and often less stressful alternative, allowing employees to avoid traffic and enjoy a more predictable journey.

It also strengthens employee satisfaction, helping attract and retain talent in a competitive job market.

A Proven Impact

FareShare doesn’t just reduce costs, it changes behaviour. Businesses using the programme have seen public transport usage increase by over 30%, helping to reduce congestion and reliance on private vehicles.

Looking Ahead

As petrol prices continue to fluctuate, solutions like FareShare are becoming increasingly valuable. By supporting public transport use, businesses can reduce costs, enhance employee wellbeing and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Get Started

If your organisation is looking for a practical response to rising fuel costs, FareShare is a strong place to start: Auckland Transport FareShare

By rethinking commuting, businesses can turn the challenge of rising petrol prices into an opportunity, delivering smarter, more affordable and more sustainable travel for their teams.

Disclaimer – While all care has been taken, Johnston Associates Chartered Accountants Ltd and its staff accept no liability for the content of this article; always see your professional advisor before taking any action that you are unsure about.

JOHNSTON ASSOCIATES, Level 1, One Jervois Road, Ponsonby, T: 09 361 6701, www.johnstonassociates.co.nz

TALKING TO TIM DOVE, OWNER/STRATEGIC DIRECTOR, RE:BRAND, PONSONBY

Tell us about Re:brand. Some history?

Re:brand is an evidence-led branding and strategy agency with offices in Ponsonby and Wellington. We started in 1999, which in agency terms makes us one of the long survivors. The idea we were founded on hasn't changed in all that time: simple brand solutions to complex business problems.

What that means day to day is we help organisations figure out who they are, what to call themselves, and how to show up in the world. The research, the strategy, the name, the story, the design and getting all of it live. We work across the client spectrum – from corporates to charities and community organisations doing genuinely important work, and we care just as much about both. A name and a brand aren't decoration. They are part of how a business makes money and earns trust – we treat them that way.

What was the award for? What did you need to do to win? We won at the 2026 Transform Diamond Awards in London. The Diamond Awards – judged by 16 international judges – are the global final, where the top-scoring winners from regional programmes around the world are put up against each other. The ‘best-of-the-best’ you might call it. We came home with two Diamonds and a Gold.

The first Diamond was for naming. We renamed and rebranded Franklin Family Support Services as Mai Lighthouse, a charity that supports whānau across the Franklin region. That work was judged the best naming in the world. The second Diamond, along with a Gold for Best Visual Identity in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector, went to Allevia, a project that brought a tangle of separate healthcare offerings together under one clear brand. It was judged the best brand consolidation in the world.

To win at this level, the work has to be more than good looking. The judges want the thinking behind it, the reason it

was done and the proof it solved a real business problem. You're marked on insight, on craft and on results, and you're up against the strongest agencies on the planet. For a fiveperson, New Zealand agency to take two world titles and a Gold in a single year isn't really supposed to happen. We're very proud of it.

How a name quietly costs or makes a business money.

A name is the one piece of branding a business uses every single day, in every conversation, on every invoice and every sign. When it's working you don't notice it, and when it isn’t, it quietly leaks money for years. A name that's hard to say or spell adds friction every time someone tries to find you, refer you or pay you. A name that sounds like three of your competitors means you spend a fortune on marketing just to be told apart. A name that boxes you into one product or one town can stop a good business growing into the next thing.

We've seen the other side of that too. Get the name right and it does work for free. It can sell for you before you ever pick up the phone. People remember it, repeat it and find it. It earns trust before anyone has read a word about you. The cost of a name is tiny next to what the wrong one quietly takes off the top, year after year, where no one thinks to look.

Why naming by committee kills the best ideas, and what to do instead.

Naming is high stakes. The best names almost always make people slightly nervous at first, because anything genuinely distinctive feels unfamiliar before it feels right. Put that name in front of a big group and someone will find a reason to flinch, someone else will prefer something safer, and the brave option gets sanded down until what's left is the name nobody objected to. Naming by committee doesn't pick the best name. It picks the least disliked one, and those are rarely the same thing.

What works better is a clear brief everyone agrees on up front, a small group who can actually make the call, and a decision based on evidence rather than gut feel and a show of hands. We test names properly against the things that matter, like whether they're ownable, whether they can be trademarked and whether they'll still fit in 10 years. That turns the conversation away from "do I like it" and towards "does it work," which is where it should be.

Why AI name generators are making the problem worse, not better.

AI name generators are fast and free, and that's exactly the trouble. They hand you a hundred options in seconds, and they all sound like everything else, because they're built from the same well of existing names. None of it is based on the business strategy and essence. None of it has been checked against the things that actually decide whether a name is usable: is the trademark clear, is the domain available, does it mean something unfortunate in another language, does it lock the business in or set it free? A name you can't legally own or defend isn't a saving, it's a liability you find out about later.

The real cost is the false confidence. A business gets a tidy list, assumes the hard part is done and skips the strategy and the legal checks that protect them. Good naming was never about generating options. The list is the easy bit. The value is in the judgement about which one is right and the work to make sure you can actually keep it.

It's one of the reasons we're currently putting the finishing touches on Re:name, a guided strategic naming platform

designed to help leadership teams make better naming decisions with more confidence and less guesswork.

The story behind the world-first win, from little old New Zealand.

Picture this: we’re a five person agency in two cities. They’re 1000 strong and in 32 countries!

There's a particular pleasure when any small New Zealand company stands on the global stage and is told its work is the best in the world. We love that as Kiwis, don’t we.

We're a long way from the big global networks, with smaller teams and smaller budgets, and that's usually framed as a disadvantage. We've come to think it's the opposite. Being small keeps us close to the work and close to the client, with nowhere for a weak idea to hide.

The Mai Lighthouse and Allevia projects that won weren't built to win awards. They were built to solve real problems for real organisations here at home, one of them a charity supporting families through hard times. That they then went on to be judged the best in the world says something we've always believed: you don't need to be in a big city or a big network to do the best work. You need the right thinking, the nerve to back it and a client brave enough to come with you. And that rings true to so much Kiwi work and innovation across all sectors.

www.rebrand.co.nz

tim@rebrand.co.nz M: 022 033 5912

CYCLING IN AUCKLAND

Auckland is fast becoming the cycling mecca of the South Pacific, with a huge surge in people jumping on their bikes on both weekdays and weekends.

Following a 20.3% increase in cycling trips counted in April when compared to last year, May saw a 14.4% increase. Strikingly, cycling trips in May recorded their highest number in a decade.

AT’s Head of Active Modes, Tania Loveridge, says it’s fantastic to have seen the significant cycle counts over the last couple of months and the ongoing year on year growth.

“Aucklanders now have more cycleways to enjoy than ever before and are also looking to get access to bikes in record numbers.

“It’s the perfect time for people to consider getting out on their bike – it offers significant cost saving and many time saving and health benefits.”

ROCKIN’ IT IN CENTRAL OTAGO

This month, it’s the latest releases from iconic Central Otago winery, Rockburn.

Owner is Dunedin cardiothoracic surgeon Richard Brunton. The winemaker is former microbiologist Malcolm ReesFrancis who spent four years at Felton Road Wines as assistant winemaker. A very stylish cellar door and winery was opened in 2006 and features a back wall of Central Otago river stones and a long, dark polished wooden wakashaped tasting room counter. Their wines are available throughout New Zealand and are exported to the UK, US, Australia, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Southeast Asia and beyond. And their renowned rosé – Stolen Kiss – is highly successful.

Rockburn Central Otago Fumé Blanc 2024 - $37

Another atypical sauvignon blanc. Rich, dry and complex. Gooseberry dominant, with a hint of cape gooseberry jam. Yeasty tang and medium acids from barrel fermentation and malolactic. Crisp mineral finish.     

Food match: whole barbequed fish or freshly steamed mussels. Available: Glengarry

Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Gris 2025 - $26

Bone dry, with assertive acidity and pear/guava notes. Tangy nectarine and mildly grippy tannins from a tad of skin contact. 

Food match: oysters, rich seafood platter. Available: Glengarry

Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2024 - $48

Fruity, ripe, generous and savoury, with spiced plum, poached tamarillo. 85% from their Parkburn vineyard. 15% from the Dick Brunton vineyard. Red summer berry fruits and delicate florals.     

Food match: pasta with truffle and mushroom sauce, spiced duck. Available: Glengarry

Rockburn ‘The Art’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2023 - $110

Concentrated and complex, a bolder statement than the flagship pinot as above. From a single high-altitude vineyard in Bendigo. Black cherry, liquorice, cinnamon spiced poached plum and dark Ghana chocolate with a hint of Cuban cigar. Class all the way. 

Food match: as above.

Available: Glengarry

Rockburn ‘The Barrels’ Parkburn Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir 2024 - $110

Selected from the finest 10 barrels from the Parkburn vineyard. 13.5% ABV. Blackberry, black cherry and lapsang souchong smoky tea. Earthy umami mushroom, red liquorice and a hint of ripe sweetness. Brilliant wine.

Food match: as above.

Available: Glengarry

Rockburn ‘The Barrels’ Dick Bunton Gibbston Vineyard

Central Otago Pinot Noir 2024 - $110

The vineyard is named in honour of Rockburn founder, Dick Brunton. Compared to The Barrels, this wine is more elegant and subtle, but no less outstanding. Soft acids and 11% ABV. Floral with hints of red cherry, dark berry fruit and savoury mushroom umami. Ripe and inviting, with a hint of sweetness.

Food match: as above.

Available: Glengarry (PHIL PARKER)  PN

www.finewinetours.co.nz, phil.parker@xtra.co.nz

FACES AT GREY LYNN FARMERS MARKET

Mangawhai-based Willow Banbury sells colourful jars of Sour Maiden kimchi, sauerkraut, and bubbling ferments under a red gazebo. She’s at Grey Lynn Farmers Market fortnightly.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Parua Bay, near Whangārei, with my naturopath mother. We were very much part of the local food and permaculture world. We had a banana plantation for a while and grew heritage plums. I was surrounded by people who were passionate about food, plants and growing things.

It sounds like Northland and food have always been part of your family?

Absolutely. My grandparents owned a large flower-growing operation in Waipū and ran the local Four Square. They were very interested in good food and experimented with wine, so it was logical that much of my career has been managing restaurants.

Where did that take you?

All around the world. I have managed gastro pubs in the UK. I spent a lot of time in Wales, and I have a soft spot for my time living in Bath.

What was the food culture like there?

It was amazing and the farmers' markets were incredible. Food culture is such a big part of everyday life there. I loved foraging for mushrooms, cobnuts, chestnuts and wild garlic, and seeing how closely people connected with local food. It reinforced my belief that food tastes better when you know where it comes from.

You once spent a year eating only New Zealand-grown food. How was that?

I did! I challenged myself to feed my family using only New Zealand-grown food for an entire year. It meant thinking differently about everything we ate – from finding South Island-grown flour, to sourcing local lentils, using local oils and making my own tallow. It gave me a much deeper appreciation for our growers and showed me just how much incredible food is produced here.

How did you end up making fermented foods?

I’ve always dabbled in fermenting wherever I have lived – usually for myself and housemates. I’ve made cheeses, sourdough and have a fond memory of a purple kimchi I once made with purple cabbage, purple spring onions and purple radishes. I've been making sauerkraut and other ferments for more than 10 years.

What inspired The Sour Maiden?

The Sour Maiden allows me to combine my love of local food, fermentation and creativity. I also do all the branding and design work myself, using those skills I picked up in my textile design degree. I was managing a restaurant while raising my children and this business is better suited to family life.

Where did the name 'The Sour Maiden' come from?

A lot of brainstorming! I wanted something playful, colourful and a little cheeky – most fermentation brands felt quite serious and clinical. The name starts conversations and that's exactly what I hoped it would do.

Tell us about your products.

Everything is based on locally grown foods that are in season. Apple and dill sauerkraut is always a favourite but people love discovering something different and I’m lucky to have access to lots of locally grown tropical fruits. Pineapple sauerkraut has been very popular and so has my recent green papaya ferment. I prefer to use organic and spray-free produce because their ferments are always more lively.

Lively?

Fermented foods are alive and it’s a good sign if you open a jar of sauerkraut to find it bubbling. It shows that beneficial bacteria are transforming carbohydrates to make them easier to digest and to encourage healthy gut bacteria. Fermentation is an ancient preservation practice that boosts the nutritional value of the food.

Tell me about your customers.

Customers enjoy hearing the story behind the food. I can tell them who grew it, where it came from and why I chose it. That's something special you only really get at a farmer's market.

Are your children foodies too?

Definitely. My five and eight-year-old kids have grown up around unusual fruit and vegetables, so they're often more adventurous than adults. I was delighted when they decided to make tea made from Buddha's hand citrus, while nibbling on ice cream beans (Inga beans).  PN

www.instagram.com/thesourmaiden www.greylynnfarmersmarket.co.nz

THE AOTEA COMPANY: ISLAND SPIRIT, SUMMER READY

Born from the rugged beauty of Aotea Great Barrier Island, The Aotea Company is built on a simple idea: creating premium, nature-led products that carry the island’s spirit into everyday life. Founded by Bayard Sinnema, the business blends sustainability, provenance and community into brands that celebrate connection, flavour and the joy of summer.

Leading the portfolio is Barrier Buzz, a naturally bold range of non-alcoholic beverages made with real ingredients and authentic Aotea mānuka honey. Available in Cola, Lemonade and Ginger Beer, each bottle delivers clean, honest refreshment with genuine character — perfect for beach days, boat trips, backyard BBQs or long evenings shared with friends. It’s soda, but with a sense of place.

Complementing this is Stumpy & Chop, a premium selection of sustainably sourced mānuka and kānuka wood splits and chunks designed for BBQ cooks and outdoor fire enthusiasts. With rich aromas and distinctive smoke profiles, Stumpy & Chop elevates everything from low-and-slow brisket to a simple weekend grill. It’s about the ritual of lighting the fire, slowing down and bringing people together around good food and natural flavour.

Together, Barrier Buzz and Stumpy & Chop embody The Aotea Company’s belief in better by nature — products that respect the land, honour local sourcing, and create memorable shared experiences.

Available now and perfectly timed for the warmer months, The Aotea Company invites you to bring a true taste of Aotea into your summer — whether it’s a chilled bottle in hand or the glow of a well-stoked BBQ at dusk.

theaoteacompany.co.nz

BUZZ

A range of naturally sweetened sodas with Aotea mānuka honey. @drinkbarrierbuzz

STUMPY & CHOP

Premium mānuka and kānuka splits and chunks for superior BBQ smoking.

Delivered to your door from Grey Lynn in time for summer.

www.theaoteacompany.co.nz

LUXURY FARM STAY ESCAPE JUST 90 MINUTES FROM AUCKLAND

If you’re searching for a weekend escape that offers more than the usual hotel stay, Te Karaka Lodge is a hidden gem off the beaten track worth discovering.

Located just 1.5 hours from Auckland and Hamilton Airport, this luxury countryside retreat invites guests to slow down, reconnect and experience something truly special.

Set on a stunning 600-hectare working beef and sheep station on the Waikato west coast, Te Karaka Lodge offers a rare blend of refined comfort and authentic rural charm. Whether you’re planning a romantic couple's getaway, celebrating a birthday or anniversary or gathering friends and family for an exclusive lodge buyout for a fully hosted stay, this is a destination designed for memorable moments.

Spend your days exploring scenic walking tracks across rolling farmland, yoga on the deck, archery or unwinding in the impressive 7000-litre heated swimming spa. Other adventures could include joining seasonal farm tours for a behind-the-scenes look at Te Karaka Station life, or heading up the road for a magical glow worm cave experience and horse trekking through beautiful local landscapes.

Food is an experience in itself at Te Karaka Lodge. Start the day with a gourmet breakfast, enjoy relaxed lunch options or head to the café up the road and settle in for an elegant tasting menu each evening featuring fresh seasonal ingredients.

There’s something grounding about time spent in the countryside – the open space, slower pace and quiet moments that are often hard to find in city life. Te Karaka Lodge offers a unique 'home away from home' experience where you can reconnect and create memories that linger long after the weekend ends.

TE KARAKA LODGE, 1833 Port Waikato Waikaretu Road, Waikaretu, T: 09 242 9229, www.tekarakalodge.co.nz

THE GREAT NEW ZEALAND TOASTIE TAKEOVER RETURNS FOR 2026

The Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover is back from 24 June, bringing the cheesiest, tastiest, most inventive toasted sandwiches to menus across Aotearoa.

For six weeks over winter, 200 venues around the country will serve their creative takes on toasties. This year, entrants have entered from Paihia in the north and Dunedin in the south. Sandwiches run the gastronomical gamut from classic meat and cheese sambos to gourmet dishes that feature goat, veal, prawns, smoked gouda, raclette, even paneer.

This year, 75 per cent of entrants are repeat competitors. Cook & Nelson co-owner and co-founder of the Toastie Takeover, Rebecca Caughey, says the event continues to resonate because it taps into something simple Kiwis genuinely love.

“There’s a reason toasties always hit the spot in winter,” says Caughey. “They’re nostalgic, comforting and affordable, but chefs somehow keep finding new ways to surprise us with them. That’s what makes Toastie Takeover so much fun. You can try something totally over the top, or something simple done incredibly well. Everyone has an opinion on a toastie, and every winter we see Kiwis getting right behind it in the hundreds of thousands.”

Now in its ninth year, The Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover, created by Cook & Nelson and McClure’s Pickles, is New Zealand’s biggest celebration of comfort food. It sees cafés, restaurants, bars, food trucks and pop-ups around the country put their best toastie forward in a nationwide celebration of the humble toasted sandwich.

Each entry in the competition must be served between two slices of bread, include cheese (or a vegan alternative), feature McClure’s Pickles and be able to be eaten by hand. Last year’s Supreme Winner went to first-time entrant Toast on the Green in Auckland. Chef Mike Schank and the team took out the top title with The McChickle & Bacon, a toastie packed with shredded chicken, crispy bacon, burger sauce, American cheddar, McClure’s Bread & Butter Pickles and pickle pesto.

The winning toastie was a hit with both judges and customers throughout the competition, with head judge Kerry Tyack calling it “a knockout punch of flavour and deliciousness” and praising its generosity, consistency and wallet-friendly appeal.

This year’s entries will be available from 24 June to 5 August, with judges travelling around the country tasting every toastie in the competition. Overseen by food critic Kerry Tyack, the judges score each sandwich on presentation, preparation, eatability, taste, provenance and innovation.

Finalists will be announced on 5 August, with the Supreme Winner revealed on 20 August.

Established in 2018, The Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover is New Zealand’s only national toasted sandwich competition. Last year, 208 eateries took part, serving more than 100,000 toasties nationwide.

DINNER : Tuesday to Sunday from 5:30pm

LUNCH : Saturday from 12 noon

Tuesday : Test Kitchen - $80pp

Wednesday/Thursday : BYO & Duck Dinner for two - $95 + $25 corkage

Photography: Babiche Martens

Friday : Steak Frites w Unlimited Truffle Fries - $49.50pp

Sunday : Prix Fixe Menu - $75pp

OPEN 7 DAYS!

MICHELIN Guide Sommelier Award

NEW tasting menus and À la carte available $75 Prix Fixe menu on Sunday & Monday

Champagne Lunch bookings are now open - $120pp

4-Course lunch with a glass of champagne on arrival

Highlighting the skills, knowledge, and passion of talented sommeliers in the industry, this year’s Sommelier Award is bestowed to Matthew Aitchison , General Manager and Sommelier of The French Café , a MICHELIN Selected restaurant. Matthew leads the service team with a calm, relaxed and approachable style, underpinned by strong organisation and deep wine knowledge. His passion for hospitality is reflected in carefully curated wine experiences and precise food pairings that elevate the meal. He has built one of the city’s most impressive wine lists: broad in scope, thoughtfully composed and especially strong by the glass.

Friday & Saturday from 12:00pm

SUMMER OPENING HOURS

Monday - Sunday 5:30pm - Late Friday & Saturday lunch 12:00pm - 3:00pm

210 SYMONDS STREET T: 09 377 1911

www.thefrenchcafe.co.nz

thefrenchcafe

DRIVEN BY DESIGN:

POLESTAR NZ WELCOMES DAVID NASH AS BRAND AMBASSADOR

Polestar New Zealand has announced David Nash as its New Zealand brand ambassador.

To celebrate the partnership, Polestar and The Wine Room by David Nash will host a seasonally refreshed The Working Lunch presented by Polestar – a curated dining experience catered for professionals wanting to elevate their business meetings, coupled with an invitation to experience Polestar’s pure progressive performance by way of an elevated Polestar test drive experience.

David Nash, Founder of The Wine Room, said luxury design and skilled craftsmanship are the driving forces behind the partnership.

“Thoughtful design is at the heart of everything I do. It shapes my whole philosophy and how I approach hospitality and the experiences we create at The Wine Room. When I look at Polestar, I see a brand that approaches every detail with the same level of care and intention, which drew me to this partnership to begin with. We have some exciting things in the pipeline together, and Polestar presents The Working Lunch is just the beginning.”

In addition to being the founder of The Wine Room, Nash wears many hats, including luxury brand strategist and creative director. His career spans the worlds of design, creative advertising and fine wine, a combination that mirrors Polestar’s own commitment to considered craft and purposedriven aesthetics.

“David has built something truly special across his career, which has maintained a clear focus on design. This can be seen in his latest offering, The Wine Room, by David Nash. It's a space where design, culture and good taste come together, and that's exactly the world Polestar belongs in,” says Bruce Fowler, Brand Manager of Polestar New Zealand. “We're thrilled to have David as our ambassador, and we can't wait for people to experience a refreshed take on The Working Lunch presented by Polestar. It is a perfect introduction to the brand for those who haven't yet had the chance to get behind the wheel.”

Polestar presents The Working Lunch is a curated, seasonal set menu that changes weekly. For $55 per person, patrons can savour an appetiser and a main, paired with a complementing glass of New Zealand wine. The timings of the food drop are tailored to the table, creating room for collaboration amidst meeting agendas and conversations. Following the lunch, an invitation to experience Polestar’s Scandinavian design and pure driving performance will be extended, with all completed test drives booked after attending a Polestar presents The Working Lunch, receiving a pair of Jancis Robinson wine glasses, available exclusively through The Wine Room.

To book Polestar presents The Working Lunch available today, please visit here nz.polestarimporter.com/polestar-david-nash

CASSIA’S GREY LYNN POP-UP

Cassia has arrived in Grey Lynn with a winter pop-up at Ozone Coffee Roasters, bringing Chef Sid Sahrawat’s celebrated modern Indian cuisine closer to home.

We asked Chand, Sid’s wife to tell us more, “We are open Wednesday to Sunday for dinner, so you can enjoy bold Indian flavours, warm hospitality, and all your Cassia favourites while we prepare our new CBD home.

"My Cassia must-orders start with the pani puri, a vibrant burst of flavour that wakes up the palate from the very first bite. If you enjoy a little heat, the goat's cheese pao with naga pickle and sweetcorn is impossible to go past, while the mughlai lamb chops with smoked yoghurt and coriander salad remain legendary for a reason. New to the menu, Sid's Delhi-style butter chicken is the version he loves to cook at home, and the fresh burrata with pickled chilli salan, turmeric pickle and cashew praline is already one of my favourites."

CASSIA AT OZONE, 18 Westmoreland Street, info@cassiarestaurant.co.nz M: 022 348 0055 www.cassiarestaurant.co.nz

COMING UP, BAR ALBERT IS THROWING CASSIA A WELCOME PARTY

Cassia and Bar Albert come together for one special evening this August

Bar Albert, voco Auckland's sky-high cocktail bar on the 38th floor, is rolling out the welcome mat for its new neighbour Cassia, the acclaimed modern Indian restaurant from chefowners Sid and Chand Sahrawat, which is moving in downstairs on the corner of Albert and Wyndham Street.

To celebrate Cassia’s arrival to Midtown, the city is invited to the welcome party at Bar Albert. Welcome to the Neighbourhood: An Evening with Cassia and Bar Albert takes place on Tuesday 11 August as part of Auckland Restaurant Month, bringing the two venues together for one very special night of food, drinks, and celebration.

Guests will arrive to a glass of Louis Roederer Champagne before savouring a selection of snacks from Sid's kitcheneach one a taste of what’s ahead for Cassia. The Bar Albert

team has created two original cocktails using Waiheke Distilling Co. Spirits inspired by the aromatic spirit of Cassia's cooking: warm spice, unexpected depth, and the kind of drinks that invite you to linger.

Tickets are $95 per person and are available to purchase here website: Cassia X Bar Albert | Restaurant Month Numbers are limited.

Bar Albert Food and Beverage Manager, Razman Ramzan, said “Cassia is one of those restaurants that makes a neighbourhood, and we couldn't be more thrilled to have Sid, Chand and the team moving in downstairs. We wanted to mark the occasion properly, so we're throwing a welcome party that brings the best of Bar Albert and Cassia together. Come up and raise a glass to our new neighbours.”

SARITA SOLVIG BLANKENBURG:

THE ART OF LIVING WELL

Breathwork for Manifestation: Listening to the Wisdom of the Body.

After returning home from my trauma release training in Bali a month ago, I knew that bringing this work to Auckland felt deeply aligned with everything I have practised through Ayurveda over the past two decades. Ayurveda teaches us that true health is balance between body, mind, emotions and spirit.

Together with my friend Lisa Hamilton-Gibbs, we recently facilitated our first Breathwork for Trauma Release and Manifestation evening in Auckland. As we walked into the room, we felt both excited and humbled. We had created a space where people could simply arrive as they were, set aside the demands of daily life and reconnect with themselves.

What unfolded was incredibly moving.

Through qigong, gentle breath work, sound, nervous system regulation and guided somatic practices, participants began to soften. Tension held in the body for years slowly started to release. Some experienced deep emotional shifts while others described feeling lighter, calmer and more connected to themselves.

One participant shared these words afterwards:

"I had the ultimate privilege of attending a breath work session with Lisa and Sarita. It was expertly facilitated. I felt supported through the whole journey and left knowing that I had taken the next step in healing trauma and preparing for a life ahead with clarity."

For me, this beautifully captures what this work is truly about. It is not about fixing ourselves, it is about creating the right conditions for the body and nervous system to remember their natural ability to heal.

Modern life keeps many of us living in our heads. Stress, grief, anxiety, burnout and difficult life experiences can become stored within the body and continue to influence our wellbeing long after the original event has passed.

The breath offers us a direct pathway back to ourselves.

When combined with somatic practices, movement, music and safe connection, breathwork allows the body to release what no longer serves us while creating space for something new to emerge. Clarity. Purpose. Creativity. Joy. This is where manifestation begins – not through striving, but through alignment.

Our next group session, Breathwork for Trauma Release and Manifestation, will take place on Wednesday 19 August from 6pm to 8pm at SOMM, 1 Howe Street. Together with Lisa, I am also offering one on one somatic therapy sessions for trauma release at the Ayurveda New Zealand clinic.

As an Ayurvedic practitioner, I see this work as a natural extension of Ayurveda, yoga and Panchakarma. Healing occurs on many levels, and when we listen to the wisdom of the body, profound transformation becomes possible.

Perhaps the greatest lesson I have learned is that healing does not need to be difficult. Sometimes it begins with simply slowing down, taking a breath and allowing ourselves to be fully present. When we create the right conditions, the body often knows exactly what it needs to heal.

(SARITA SOLVIG BLANKENBURG)  PN

For bookings and further information visit www.ayurvedanz.co.nz

MECCA PONSONBY

MECCA reimagines its iconic Ponsonby location with an elevated new beauty destination.

MECCA, Australia and New Zealand’s ultimate beauty destination, recently officially opened its elevated new Ponsonby store, marking the next chapter of the brand’s nearly two-decade journey in New Zealand.

Located on the iconic Ponsonby Road, on the corner of Cowan Street and within a beautifully restored 1908 heritage building, the new 323sqm store is almost triple the size of the original Ponsonby store opened nearby in 2007 as MECCA’s very first location in New Zealand. Designed by Hecker Guthrie, the new space thoughtfully preserves the building’s original architectural character, including its pressed metal ceilings, while introducing a refined and contemporary retail experience.

The opening marks the evolution of a long-standing local favourite into an expanded full-service beauty destination, with customers now able to explore 31 new brands, alongside an elevated offering of services tailored to the Ponsonby community. New additions include globally recognised brands such as rhode, Charlotte Tilbury, Glossier, Le Labo, Maison Francis Kurkdjian and By Terry, alongside a curated fragrance offering featuring niche fragrance houses including DS & Durga, Escentric Molecules, Vilhelm Parfumerie and DedCool.

Customers can also experience an elevated suite of services with dedicated makeup artistry stations, a semi-private skin bed, and personalised fragrance consultations within the store’s expanded Perfumeria offering.

MECCA New Zealand Country Manager Nicky Shore said the new Ponsonby store marks an exciting milestone in the evolution of MECCA in New Zealand. “Ponsonby has always held a special place in our heart and in MECCA’s story as the home of our very first New Zealand store nearly 20 years ago,” Nicky said.

“This new space allows us to honour that history while creating a more immersive experience for our loyal customers in one of Auckland’s most vibrant and creative neighbourhoods. As beauty continues to become more deeply connected to lifestyle and self-expression, we’re excited to bring an expanded offering of brands, services and experiences to a community that has been part of the MECCA journey from the very beginning.”

The opening of MECCA Ponsonby forms part of MECCA’s continued investment in New Zealand, where the retailer has expanded from a single store in 2007 to a network of 15 locations across the country over the past 19 years, alongside an online offer serving customers nationwide.

Opening morning celebrations began with a blessing ceremony delivered in partnership with local iwi, followed by an official ribbon cutting alongside the Ponsonby store team. Customers queued from early morning to experience the new store, with first customers through the doors welcomed with pastries from local bakery Daily Bread, alongside exclusive opening offers and complimentary gifts with purchase, including Emma Lewisham’s Illuminating Body Oil and limited-edition MECCA Ponsonby key rings.

To celebrate the launch weekend, customers will also be able to enjoy complimentary fragrance engraving across all full-size home and personal fragrance purchases, alongside a curated schedule of bookable beauty services and consultations available until Sunday 14 June, including makeup applications, express facials and personalised fragrance experiences.

MECCA Ponsonby opened at 9am on Friday, 12 June 2026 and is located at 286–306 Ponsonby Road. Instagram: @meccabeauty

ROSS THORBY:

THE LAND THAT COULD KILL YOU

We departed the Bay of Islands that April evening to sail across the pond for that land inhabited by everything that could kill you – snakes, spiders, sharks and kangaroos.

That’s right – Australia, NZ’s west island. We sailed out of a turquoise harbour, past the islands of my youth and hung a left at ‘Ninepin' to sail the Te Tai Tokerau coast to Cape Reinga where we would turn a sharp left and head out across the ditch to Sydney.

Tonight the ship is holding a curious American shipboard tradition, 'The Block Party'.

Everybody, at a given time on a chosen day, has to stand outside their suites with a glass of Champagne and the Captain and senior officers traverse the various passenger decks clinking their glasses – all whilst accompanied by a cameraman capturing the moment and with rousing music. The best thing about the event is that it is preceded by a man offering lashings of caviar and various canapes as well as a top up of our glasses with more Champagne.

Our Italian Captain seemed particularly keen on this event and insisted on saying hello and having a sip with everybody. Wasn't the Captain of the Costa Concordia Italian? Just asking for a friend.

The Regent Navigator also has another curious tradition, but one that I could not imagine taking off on a Cunard ship. The Chief Engineer, who has been on the ship for about 10 years, has been hiding tiny plastic ducks for the passengers and crew to find. These ducks are apparently treasured and the Cruise Director assures us that some of them are so well hidden that they will only be found when the ship is scrapped… but I digress. The grumpy side of me is horrified by the environmental mess this pending armageddon of floating plastic could cause and images abound of catastrophic islands of these things floating about on our oceans. I do keep my eye out, just in case.

Cunard could learn a little from the camaraderie amongst this ship's crew and its 490 passengers, although the jury is still out about the ducks.

Tonight's show was brought forward. It includes lots of dancing and acrobatics and we note that our pool has been emptied once again. Our Captain has warned us that the seas should get a bit choppy once we round the Cape.

Hosted by our 73-year-old cruise director, Ray, the show is a fantastic 'all singing, all dancing' affair and you could see why the acrobatics would not have fared well in a turbulent sea. Ray tells us that he was working as a puppeteer on the QE2 when she was launched in 1969. He is threatening to do a show before we disembark.

Shudder.

I am thinking more ‘Madame' than Miss Piggy. But I digress again. The dinner gong tonight announces our reservations in the Compass Rose Restaurant. The previously mentioned Versace-decorated room.

Our dining companions are a couple from Whanganui who began to turn a lighter shade of green just as the caviar hit the table and, by the time the next course arrived, matched the green of the limes in our Margaritas and so we found ourselves staring at a couple of quickly vacated seats. At least I think it was the increasing sea conditions and not Mother's jokes. The waves seem to be coming up a little early and the dining room was quickly clearing. Fortunately, Mother and I are made of sterner stuff. Especially when there are Margaritas involved.

I am noticing though, that there is definitely less to do on a smaller ship. The Navigator is 566 feet long with eight decks, whereas my usual mode of transport is 965 and 12 passenger decks. The size makes a big difference with its entertainment options, although I am proud to say that neither include wave machines or Dodgem cars. Last night after settling Mother into our suite with the TV remote and 'Citizen Kane' on TV, I ventured out. Even though she is elegant and beautifully decorated without the constant entertainment, the bands and quintets, the ballrooms, the jazz and the pianists, the rooms lack the classiness and tradition that the Cunard Queens provide, so there was not much choice but to join mother just as ‘Rosebud' was revealed and CItizen Kane met his demise.

We settle into our suite, the seas off the darkened balcony just beginning to spill over and hit the glass of our doors. It could be a rocky road and so…

“Mother, fasten your seatbelt.” (ROSS THORBY)  PN

THE NATURAL FUNERAL COMPANY

Two years on, The Natural Funeral Company continues to quietly build a reputation for meaningful farewells.

Based in Eden Terrace, the company offers natural, bespoke and traditional funeral services, with an approach centred around helping families honour life in a way that feels genuine to them. Whether families are wanting something simple and intimate or a larger, more personalised farewell, the team works alongside them to create services that feel authentic, meaningful and reflective of the individual.

With more than four decades in the funeral profession, John brings calm guidance and trusted industry knowledge to families during difficult times, while Tanya helps create the warm and approachable environment the company has become known for.

The business has also recently welcomed funeral director Kelsey McSkimming to the team. Kelsey began working in the funeral industry nearly 14 years ago and has worked across a range of roles before graduating with a Diploma in Funeral Directing in 2019. Joining the business part time, she brings a modern perspective to the profession.

Much of The Natural Funeral Company’s growth in recent years has come through word of mouth and personal recommendation, with the team continuing to provide a more personal and relaxed experience for families.

Gilbert & George were interviewed by Evan Woodruffe for our August 2022 Issue

Check our Ponsonby News website, and social media pages for the latest information to find out about local businesses and issues. Scan the QR code and sign up via our website to get a reminder when the new issue is published online.

COULD INA BABIC MAKE MISS UNIVERSE NEW ZEALAND HISTORY?

Sixteen years after representing New Zealand on the international pageant stage, Ponsonby resident Ina Babic is back, this time with the opportunity to become the first 40-year-old woman to win the Miss Universe New Zealand title.

The editor of Vegetarian Living NZ magazine and Executive Committee member of the New Zealand Vegetarian Society is a finalist in Miss Universe New Zealand 2026, using the platform to challenge age stereotypes and inspire women to pursue their goals at every stage of life. She is also a Ponsonby resident.

While this may be her first Miss Universe New Zealand campaign, it is not her first experience representing New Zealand on the international stage. In 2010, she represented New Zealand at the 50th Miss International pageant in China after previously competing at Miss World University in South Korea.

Babic is now returning to pageantry with a renewed sense of purpose.

"For many women, turning 40 can feel like a milestone where society starts placing limitations on what we should or shouldn't do," says Babic.

"I want to challenge that idea and show that women can continue pursuing ambitious goals, embracing new opportunities and reinventing themselves at any age."

Originally from Bulgaria, Babic has now called Aotearoa home for 25 years. She is married and the mother of two children, Luka, 11, and Sienna, 7.

She says one of her biggest motivations for entering the competition is the example she hopes to set for her children. "I want my daughter to grow up believing there is no timeline on her dreams, and I want my son to grow up understanding that a woman's age should never define her opportunities." In recent years, the Miss Universe organisation removed the traditional restrictions associated with pageantry, opening the competition to married women, mothers and women of all ages.

"Historically, pageants excluded married women and mothers, and there were strict age limits that prevented many women from participating. The Miss Universe organisation's decision to welcome married women, mothers and women of all ages is a significant step forward. It recognises that beauty, leadership and ambition aren't defined by age or relationship status, and that every woman has something valuable to contribute."

Babic believes the confidence, resilience and perspective that come with life experience are equally worthy of celebration. "At 40, I feel more comfortable in my own skin than I ever did in my 20s. This isn't about trying to be younger. It's about embracing who I am today and encouraging other women to do the same."

Beyond the pageant stage, Babic is passionate about advocacy. Through her work as Editor of the Vegetarian Living NZ magazine and as an Executive Committee member of the New Zealand Vegetarian Society, she

advocates for healthier lifestyles, compassion for animals and environmental sustainability. She believes Miss Universe New Zealand provides a unique opportunity to amplify these messages.

"For me, Miss Universe New Zealand is about more than a crown. It's an opportunity to use my voice, advocate for the causes I care about and inspire people to recognise that we are all connected, and that every small action has the power to make a difference."

As the Miss Universe New Zealand final approaches on 28 July 2026, Babic hopes her journey will encourage women to reconsider what is possible, regardless of age.

"I believe some of the most powerful chapters of a woman's life are still waiting to be written after 40. I hope my journey encourages other women to embrace new opportunities, challenge expectations and pursue the goals that matter most to them."

WALK-IN BUSINESSES

KNOW THEIR REGULARS

They just can't reach them. An Auckland founder launches flock, built for walk-in businesses that want to bring their regulars back on demand.

Every week, thousands of customers walk into local cafes, barbershops, bakeries and dairies across Auckland, spend money and leave without a trace. No name. No number. Nothing. The business has no way to reach them, thank them or bring them back.

Steve Pulley has spent years helping local business owners grow their customer base. He kept running into the same wall: owners with loyal regulars and no way to contact any of them.

flock is his answer. A printed counter stand holds a QR code. Customers scan it on their phone, enter their number and join the owner's text list in under a minute. No app to download. No tablet to manage. Nothing for staff to do.

When the owner wants to fill a quiet Tuesday or promote a new special, they send one text. A text reaches 95% of recipients. A Facebook post reaches around 5%.

"Walk-in businesses are in a different position to service businesses," Pulley said. "A dentist has a client's contact details because the appointment requires it. A walk-in business often has no idea who just came in and made a purchase. No booking was required. No invoice was raised. flock is built for that gap."

flock launched in late May with its first merchants across Auckland's North Shore and Hibiscus Coast. Each gets

a custom-branded counter stand, a real-time dashboard showing every customer who has joined their list, and full ownership of their contact data from day one. Setup takes less than a day.

"We started local because that's where we could see the problem most clearly," Pulley said. "But every suburb in Auckland has the same businesses facing the same problem. If an owner wants to stop losing track of the customers they've already earned, this is built for them."

Merchant enquiries: flockapp.io

CRYING IVY FROM WESTERN SPRINGS COLLEGE

First place winners in the Smokefreerockquest for the Auckland Central region.

Crying Ivy is a four-piece alternative psych band from Western Springs College-Ngā Puna o Waiōrea and Saint Kentigern College. With two single releases already under its belt, Crying Ivy is quickly becoming one of the most active and promising emerging artists from Tāmaki Makaurau. The group gigs regularly across the city and, in 2025, they performed at The Others Way festival and had a single reach #1 on the 95bFM Top Ten.

Here's what the band had to say about the win: "Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to play and win this amazing competition. We’ve been excited for this gig for so long and it’s unreal to come first place. Genuinely unreal, we are all still shaking! This is insane!!" – 1st place, Crying Ivy

Across three nights from 4–6 June, 36 emerging young bands from Tāmaki Makaurau took to the stage at The Dorothy Winstone Centre for the 2026 Smokefreerockquest Auckland Regional Finals.

www.instagram.com/cryingivyofficial

WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH, YOU GOTTA LAUGH!

The Covert Theatre is launching Auckland’s best EVER entertainment deal – the $42 Covert Comedy Season Pass – that gets you into every comedy show from September to December.

Aucklanders can enjoy four months of live comedy, improv and theatre for less than the cost of a movie ticket, thanks to a bold new initiative from the iconic Covert Theatre in Ponsonby.

With two shows every Friday and Saturday night and a packed programme of comedy, improv, sketch and live entertainment, the pass could provide access to more than 60 performances across the season – saving you thousands of dollars.

It’s only for a limited time with sales closing on Wednesday 5 August.

Wade Jackson, Covert Theatre Artistic Director says the idea was born out of a desire to make live entertainment more accessible during challenging economic times.

"Everyone is feeling the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis. We know people are being more careful about where they spend their money, but we also know how important laughter, connection and getting out of the house can be.

"We wanted to create something that removes the barrier to entry and encourages people to enjoy live comedy as often as they like."

The initiative comes at a time when arts organisations across New Zealand are grappling with rising costs and changing audience behaviour.

"We're asking Aucklanders to enjoy local theatre. Buy the pass once and then come as often as you want. Bring your sense of adventure and discover something new."

The offer has already generated excitement among regular audience members, with many describing it as one of the most affordable entertainment deals currently available in Auckland.

The Covert Comedy Season Pass is designed for everyone from comedy lovers and theatre regulars through to people who have never experienced live improv before.

The theatre hopes the initiative will help introduce a new generation of Aucklanders to live performance while generating crucial upfront revenue that supports local artists and productions.

"We're not just selling tickets," says Jackson. "We're inviting people to become part of the Covert community. Every pass sold helps support our community workshops, youth resilience programmes and live theatre in Auckland."

Pass holders will be able to book seats for eligible performances throughout the season, subject to availability.

Seeing as this offer is only for a limited time, the Covert is encouraging people to secure their pass early.

The Covert Comedy Season Pass is on sale now and available until Monday 3 August, unless sold out earlier.

What: Covert Comedy Season Pass When: On sale till 5 August (Wednesday) www.coverttheatre.com

Aquarius (the Water Carrier)

21 January - 19 February

You’ve been slacking recently when you know that you really need to get into gear, but life has become stressful. It will get easier but it’s also down to you.

Taurus (the Bull)

21 April - 21 May

If you have to repeat yourself this month, then that’s what you have to do. State the obvious if you have to as long as you get your points across.

Pisces (the Fishes)

20 February - 20 March

Your support network looks in fear of collapse if you’re not careful this month. Lucky for you that someone is looking over your shoulder and will be there for you when you fall.

Leo (the Lion)

23 July - 21 August

You remain calm just as everything around you is falling apart. You get through it with the love and compassion of someone close to you. Make sure you layout all your plans so no one is confused.

Gemini (the Twins)

22 May - 21 June

Try not to panic this month as your curiosity gets the better of you. You don’t have to make any decisions right now. Mull things over so you know that any choices you have to make will be the right ones.

Aries (the Ram)

21 March - 20 April

You have to display your patience this month as you will be tested after you overhear something that wasn’t intended for you. Don’t take too much notice. Remember no one was talking about you.

Scorpio (the Scorpion)

24 October - 22 November

If you have to deal with those sensitive issues that you’ve been putting off, now is the time to get on with it. Listening is your best weapon and if you can master that then you’re on your way.

Virgo (the Virgin)

22 August - 23 September

Make sure everyone knows what they are doing this month. If you have to spell things out, then that’s what you have to do for others to follow. A bit of structure can often go a long way.

Cancer (the Crab)

22 June - 22 July

You’re quietly hoping that your optimism will prove fruitful this month. Your teamwork skills will come into the fore this month as you’re being recognised as being exceptional at what you do.

Sagittarius (the Archer)

23 November - 22 December

Doors will open a bit easier for you this month if you follow a few simple rules. You’re a practical person so if you have to bend a few rules, then do it as long as no one gets hurt.

Libra (the Scales)

24 September - 23 October

The conversations that you’ve been having lately will go a long way in keeping you on a straight path. If you need to deviate, then place markers so you know where you left and rejoin when you can.

Capricorn (the Goat)

23 December - 20 January

Get all your priorities in check this month and make sure you dot all your i’s and cross all your t’s. If you need to take a break, plan it around things rather than just take time off.

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