Inia Te Wiata

The triumphant tour of Inia Te Wiata through New Zealand is in its last stages. The Maori people, proud of their new world celebrity, flocked to his concerts and although the arias in the first half of his programme were strange to many, all could appreciate his superb versions of the West Indian songs, the Negro spirituals, many short popular numbers—and of course the Maori items performed at each of his concerts.
There was little in Inia Te Wiata's early background to lead him to world fame or the life of a professional artist. His father, Watene Te Wiata, died early, after which Inia was brought up by Pairoroku and Rakete Rikihana in Otaki. He went to live in the Waikato. Here he became interested in Maori carving and was employed at Ngaruawahia for three years on the carving of Turongo, the house of the Maori King, which was opened in 1936. Afterwards, he worked at the Horotiu Freezing Works, near Hamilton.
During all these years, although his musical talents remained undeveloped, singing was an important part of his life. He first performed on the stage at the age of seven. ‘This first concert’ says Te Wiata, ‘still stands out as one of the great days in my life’.
The concert took place at the Old Otaki Lyric Theatre, which was situated about a hundred yards from the Telegraph Hotel, in the direction of the town.
His music teacher, Miss Edith Miller taught him at the Otaki State School and it was from her that he received his first music lessons. He remembers that the song he sang was “Margie” and that when the audience acclaimed him he was very mystified and did not know what to do next. His teacher told him to return to the stage and take a how, but he was still not sure about what was expected of him, so he sang “Margie” again. Again the clapping came and with a quick look at the pianist he started up and again sang “Margie”. It was here that he began to understand the meaning of being an artist and he began to enjoy it immensely. He had to be carried off the stage before he was tempted to again sing “Margie”.
At the age of 13 ½ his voice broke and almost overnight he became a bass-baritone. When this happened he joined his cousins quartette which included Wi Nicholls, Henry Tahiwi, and Dan Rikihana. All these people were adults except the young Te Wiata.

http://teaohou.natlib.govt.nz/teaohou/issue/Mao23TeA/c9.html

Dawn Break Over Avondale

Lemons in the garden

But Still Winter next door

First Sign of Spring - Auckland 24 June 2006

Town Hall Auckland - at Dawn 24 June

Auckland Town Hall was opened in 1911 and, after a $33 million restoration in 1997, it has been maintained in its original Italian Renaissance design and Edwardian elegance.

The original organ was built for the (then) brand-new Town Hall in England in 1910. It was shipped out and installed in the specially-prepared chamber the following year. It was gifted by Sir Henry Brett, a prominent councillor, to the city. The specification was:
Pedal: Dbles 32 (wood), 32 (metal), Open Dps 16(wood), 16(metal), Violone 16, Bdn 16, Echo Bass 16, Oct Dp 8, Prin 8, Bass Flt 8, Contra Pos 32, Tromb 16, Trpt 8Great: Dps 16, 8(large), 8(medium), 8(small), Claribel Flt 8, Corno Flt 8, Prin 4, Harm Flt 4, 12th, 15th, Mix (IV), Tromb 16, Tromba 8, Harm Clarion 4Swell: Bdn 16, Diaphonic Dp 8, Geigen Dp 8, Lieb Ged 8, Sal 8, Vox Ang 8, Prin 4, Lieb Flt 4, 15th, Mix (III), Contra Pos 16, Horn 8, Oboe 8, Vox Hum 8, Harm Pos 4, TremChoir: Lieb Ged 8, Echo Dul 8, Dolce 8, Viol d'orch 8, Voix Cel (II), Unda Maris 8, Flauto trav 4, Harm Picc 2, Schalmei 16, Orch Clt 8, Orch Oboe 8, TremSolo: Harm Claribel 8, Concert Flt 4, Orch Trpt 8, Bombarde 16, Tuba Mirabilis 8, Tuba Carion 4, Trem
Regular concerts were promoted by the City every year (and during the War years, too), it being a condition of the gift that the instrument be used for the pleasure and recreation of Aucklander a certain number of times each year.

SOCIAL COHESION: LESSONS FROM THE PAST

Many imports were simply banned. It was against the law to make carpets from anything other than wool. To buy margarine you had to get a doctor's prescription. Until 1967, hotel bars closed at 6 o'clock. You weren't allowed to truck goods more than 40 miles. To buy Australian shares you had to apply to the Reserve Bank. You bought 5 shilling British postal notes to subscribe to overseas magazines.

am old enough to have lived through the period that some look back to with nostalgia. I grew up in a farming community during the depression years. Large numbers of people were wandering about the country looking for work, and there was often a swagger in our woodshed. However, my parents never locked the door of the house, because neighbours might have wanted to pop in to use the phone or make a cup of tea. Despite unemployment and hardship, the crime rate was far lower than it is today.
I can just remember the first Labour government which was elected in 1935 and the social security measures of 1938. Some people today seem to regard the government of Michael Joseph Savage as one that launched New Zealand into big government and large scale welfare. Nothing could be further from the truth. In an editorial last year, the Evening Post correctly observed:
It's an unpopular view, but the Welfare State founded by the First Labour Government of Michael Joseph Savage is more in tune with the current philosophies of the National and Act parties than those of Labour and the Alliance.
Even though Savage's government boosted government spending, it still amounted to only 16.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 1938. Savage and Nash were fiscal and moral conservatives. Welfare was seen as a temporary hand-up, not an open-ended handout. Savage insisted that pensions should be means-tested, not paid on a universal basis regardless of wealth. His government was very conscious of the risks of state welfare undermining the role of the churches and charities. Many of its members had grave misgivings about introducing compulsory unionism in 1936, fearing that it would make unions domineering and unaccountable. By the late 1940s these fears were proving to be well founded.
The 1950s were often seen as the high point of the 'good old days' for New Zealand. Export prices were high and the adverse effects of Fortress New Zealand policies were only just starting to bite. It was a time of full employment when firms were free to hire and fire people provided they observed ordinary contracts.
The New Zealand economy was already starting to seize up by the 1950s with lower productivity growth rates than our trading partners, for reasons that include things like the introduction of import licensing and exchange controls in 1938. Some of the social legislation of the time was unduly harsh. Some children did not get good educational chances. There was a certain grey conformity and repressiveness in the national culture. As late as 1961 there were only three licensed restaurants in Auckland. BYOs were illegal everywhere. The film of James Joyce's Ulysses could only be shown to segregated audiences. Many practices held women back: for example, they often had to get their husband's permission to open bank accounts


SIR RONALD TROTTER
http://www.nzbr.org.nz/documents/speeches/speeches-2000/social_cohesion.doc.htm

Power restored to Auckland after blackout

UPDATED 6.55pm Monday June 12, 2006
Power has been restored to most of Auckland after a blackout - thought to be caused by a storm sweeping the country - brought the city to a standstill.
More than 700,000 people were affected as power was cut to thousands of homes on top of the hundreds of businesses in the CBD forced to close.
Police described some of Auckland's intersections as "lunacy" as around 300 traffic lights went out just after 8.30am.
Power began to return to parts of the city from 12.40pm.
The city council activated its emergency operations centre and Auckland City Police mobilised its district emergency management plan, something not done since 1998's power crisis.
All but two of the city's police stations lost power and closed down.
A spokeswoman for power company Vector said the cause of the Auckland blackout was a fault on the Transpower network. She said: "An earth wire has snapped and fallen across the 110 kv feeder from the Otahuhu substation."

Morning Tea Shout

Club Sandwich
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh tarragon
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives
4 hardboiled eggs, finely chopped
1 loaf thin-sliced white bread
lettuce leaves
tomatoes, sliced

Mix mayonnaise, herbs and eggs together. Layer up double-decker sandwiches in the following order: egg mayonnaise, lettuce, egg mayonnaise, bread, egg mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, bread. Slice crusts off sandwiches and cut in half.

Smokers Hang Outside

From December 2004, all indoor workplaces became 100 percent smokefree. This included:
warehouses, offices, factories and shops
work cafeterias, dedicated smoking rooms and ‘smoko’ rooms, corridors, lifts, lobbies, stairwells, toilets and wash rooms or other shared internal areas
hospitality venues (including licensed clubs, restaurants, casinos and gaming machine venues)
working taxis, trains, aircraft, passenger lounges and indoor parts of ships
schools and early childhood centres.

Sky City at Dawn

IN THE HEART OF THE CITY
Along with the advantages of staying in a Qualmark rated four-plus star hotel you'll find a vast array of entertainment options literally at your door.
From our two casinos, to dining in one of our 10 restaurants and bars, to free live entertainment, SKYCITY Hotel has something for everyone.
It's also great to have a quiet soothing place to relax. SKYCITY Hotel's spacious rooms have all the facilities you would expect of a top-class hotel, and each one of our staff is absolutely committed to ensuring you have a memorable stay.

High Rise Sunrise Auckland

Over Hauraki Gulf Auckland June 9 2006

Calling Oldies 4

I remember the cheese of my childhood and the bread taht we cut with the knife, when chidren helped out with the housework and men went to work not the wife. the cheese never needed an ice chest. the bread was so crusty and hot, the children were seldom unhappy and the wife was content withher lot I remember the milk in the billy,with yummy thick cream on the top our dinners came hot from the oven and not from some fridge in some shop the kids were a lot more contented they didn't need moneyfor kicks but a game with some mates in the paddock and sometimes the satuday flicks I rembember the shop on the corner where a penn'worth of lollies was sold do you think i'm a bit nostalgis or is it I'm just getting old

I still have my teddy, golly and monkey that I had since I was one. (that means they are 58 years old) and they look it poor things getting a bit motheaten. My mother told me that we were outside a shop in England when I spotted this stuffed monkey and created a fuss wanting it until my mum's twin sister (who idolised me) went in and bought it.(and I thought I wasn't spoilt)I didn't want dolls, teddy was my favourite. Mum made clothes for him and knitted him a little suit in grey and red wool.(sob.. brings back happy memories)He even had a raincoat!Thanks for your explanation, Pussytux, it's cute.I did have a walkie talkie doll later on, her name was Annette. I liked watching the programme about the Queen I think she is just marvello

Ah, the blackberries! When we lived in Christchurch we would go out on the West Melton road and pick them on the roadside. Our kids would get prickles but the fruit made it all worth while. E's parents kept their own Jersey cow, and mil would scald a big pan of the rich milk. When cooled, it would leave for skimming, this thick clotted scalded cream, which we would spread over the blackberry pie, or on the BBJam. And when we moved to Dunedin, we found rich pickings on Three Mile Hill. And later in the year we returned to gather the pine cones from the plantations - they made a great winter fire. Sunday tea with open fire toast and marmalade! Can you taste it still?

Toast made on an open fire is to die for The long handled fork always hung by the fireside.Often had hot soup with toast made on open fire. Sometimes the bread would drop off the fork and go up in flames.You had to let the fire die down a bit so there were just hot coals. Oh my I can almost taste it now

Yes I can well remember the pot of vege soup on the coal range. Seemed to be there forever...but we never got food poisoning! Also, did anybody else pick peas, raspberries and strawberries for money to supplement the family budget? Remember being up very early in the morning to get on the job - like 10-11 years of age. And, of course, ended up with stomach ache at the end of the day. But up and away again the next morning. We also picked blackberries for home use! But I hated the pricks! Also roasted rabbits and rabbit stew.

We lived in the oldest house one could imagine-but every afternoon after us kids and my dad had been home for lunch, my mum would mop the floor and then change into her 'glad rags' and go and socialise with her lady friends and believe me the fine china was out in style! One savoury plate, one loaf plate and at least three sweet treats!! We met up with mum after school and had the crumbs. We headed home, mum put on her apron and got the tea (once again on the coal range) and we had to 'do' the coal bucket, feed chooks and collect eggs

Bread and butter pudding is still a favourite also golden syrup pudding ,My mum made a big steam pudding every Sunday for after the roast dinner.In a pudding bag. Or old flour bag ,I still have the big pot she cooked it in.Its aliminium so dont use it any more

405

Calling Oldies 3

how could I forget the cry of the Evening Post paperboys. My young brothers aspired to be paper boys and would practise for hours. It sounded like Ah-Eevnin peeo-oast and had a definite tune to it. I can still hear them now. I used to long for curls seahorse and occasionally had ringlets, but otherwise I would sit in class after swimming lessons and try to curl my hair up on my neckline, trying to look as athough I was just twiddling my hair while I was deep in thought. We had ribbons tied on top except for when we were allowed plaits for a while. My Mum got our hair permed when we were 12!! I can't believe it when I think back. It was in the early days of perming (1951) and it stank and took so long. It was so uncharacteristic of her. I think she just found doing our hair too much bother with my brothers being four year olds.

Speaking of Milk Deliveries ...Ours was delivered in Billies ... we paid with metal tokens (later replaced with plastic ones!! real flash!) This was delivered by milkcart that had wheels like a bicycle and was scooped into the billy from the vat on board this cart...lol. We thought it was real flash when we got our milk in Quart bottles with the cream on top as focuson mentioned. Like Seahorse I absolutely abhor porridge to this day. Gagged on the stuff from Day one and have never altered my opinion of the stuff since. Ugh!! I couldn't even cook the stuff for my kids (who loved it) unless I totally changed it with cocoa and vanilla essence and eggs and honey... ugh I cannot even stand the smell let alone the look and taste of it. To be offered Weetbix to me was like heaven because we were made to eat porridge every day too seahorse. Weetbix was only 2/6 a box then (750g box) and milk was (my first memory was 4d a pint) all relative though I guess.

Those Evening Post cries created a unique atmosphere in the afternoon city streets of Wellington. But some Wellington customs got me into trouble, especially in my early years of marriage. In all my young days growing up in Wellington, the "dustman" as we called the rubbish collectors, always came to the back door to empty our rubbish can into his own collection bin. It was still going on when I married in 1947 and brought my young bride to the capital. She thought it was great, never having to put the rubbish out as she had to do in Christchurch

Another wellington landmark I remember were the old swimming bath (on the site of the Freyberg Pool now) these were segregated, men in one pool and woman in the other with the water coming in from the sea. Seem to recall a sandy bottom to the pool also. Have photos of my mother there in the 30's. She worked at James Smiths in the clothing department and used to model for their fashion parades. Used to tell me they were not supposed to let a prospective customer excape without making a purchase

I remember the old pool down at Oriental Bay with the seawater oldbnz, and while at Wellington Girls' College we used the Thorndon Pool for lessons. That hasn't changed much, but I see a lot of young folk using Freyburg now to train. What about the two pylons on Mt Victoria. I've never felt the same since they removed one of them, although that was relatively recently one could argue. What about the old shops in Cuba Street - C. Smiths. Whitehead and Pears, Evans

I remember when we first arrived in NZ (1967)we bought a side of lamb from the meatworks for $7.50 - I remember writing home about it! And the rent of our first flat in Onehunga was $15 per week. The six o'clock swill ended when we arrived .....

we only changed to decimal currency in 1967 so that must have been just before you arrived. Our rent for a 3 bdrm, 2 living room house with large section was £12.50 which changed to $25 between five girls all flatting together.

Can't remember what toys I had as a kid. I loved reading and also just disappearing with my friend for the day. The kids are now into their 30's but have kept so many of their toys. The grandkids love playing with them and like to know whose dad 'this' belonged to. I make it us as I go along as I can't remember. There are match box cars, tonka toys, old books, old games, lego. And, a red plastic train set which seems to be the most popular

There was a hill where the present runway has been formed, and we would play up there, and sit there should there be aerobatic displays, or a big 3 engined plane visit. Our family sat up there one autumn day to watch a parachute jump by the famous parachutist, "Scotty" Fraser. We watched in disbelief when what looked like a sack left the aircraft and tumble down into Lyall Bay; "It couldn't be him" we all said. But when a speed boat left the sandy bay and headed out for where the splash had come, we realized it must have been him.

I had a cane dolls pram and stilts, a pedal car and trike and a few dolls and teddies. My favourite doll ( I still have her) was Patsy - a plastic one which you could remove the head arms and legs. She had short auburn curls with a short stump line along the front where I gave her a haircut once and it never grew back?

Rongatai was a small, grass airfield in those days The Cooks Stait Airways flew their de Havillnad biplanes to Blenheim and Nelson from that small field. And right next door was the Miramar Golf Links, which, over the years, was to lose land along its 2nd, 3rd and 4th holes to provide increasing space for the growing airport. I caddied on the links for several years, watching the de Havilland factory go up, and seeing the debris from a small 'plane that came down close to the Gold Club house. We boys salvaged bits of the fuselage as souvenirs, some of them carrying blood, but unhappy events followed in my life, and in supertitious belief that I had done the victims wrong, I threw the bits away.

We used to go blackberry picking behind the old catholic church in Wellsford. There where heaps of bushes there and mum used to make jams, pies etc, yummy. Also we used to go mushrooming in the stockyards behind our old house. Used to come home with bucketfulls.

Calling Oldies 2

Still remember milk being brought to the cheese factory by horse and cart and later on by tractors and trucks. My dad work in cheese factories around South Taranaki for years, starting at Kapuni dairy factory around 1950.

when I was a child living in Roseneath in Wellington we had milk delivered by horse and cart, the horses were great and knew the route so well they copuld be left to move and stop at will without the driver giving any signals. The trams in Wellington were great also, and used to love going to the winter show. Does any one remember the skeletons made of rubber you could pin on your jacket, they had a sqeezy bulb attached which made the arms and legs shoot out when you pressed on it.

Fish and chips would have been about the only take away, wrapped in newspaper in those days, pies would have been about the only other takeout. Eating out wasnt any to posh either, peas chips and a steak with perhaps a shrimp cocktail being the height of fashion

We never had Friday night fish and chips (or any other night for that matter) simply because we never had a chip shop. We only had a dairy, post office and a fire station. Use to love getting on the bus to go into "town" which took about an hour, and before we left to come home, Mum would let me get some fish and chips.

I loved the bluebell woods when we lived in Sheffield. We caught the tram as far as it would go and then it was a short walk into the woods - magic. Used to love the wild spring flowers coming up in the UK in the parks and odd borders and places too. Our neighbours did the local milk runn in Brooklyn in the days before it was proper roads. They had some stories to tell. It was sheep behind us and cows at the end of the cul de sac when we moved in in 1970.


Oh, the memories the milkman brings back My earliest memories of our milkman in Wellington's Miramar were of the horse's clip-clop, and the rattle of the bottles, at 4 in the morning. And our horse knew his route so that when the milkman reached a certain point, the horse would move the dray on to the next stop. The delivery time changed with the season, afternoon in winter, I seem to remember, and those early mornings in the summer - no daylight saving changes in those days. And we also had a local dairy farm that we used for a time. It lay in a spread behind Scots College, in Strathmore, and the Italian farmer, (Martelli?) would deliver from 10 gallon cans, staight into our s.steel billy. But during the war years, when cream was strictly rationed, we were back to the Municipal Milk Department, and we had to order ahead for Christmas, with a half pint limit on quantity. Of course, they needed the cream for butter-making, so cream was available only for special occasions, like Christmas

milk was always 4 pence a pint - put the bottle out with the pennies on top - they never fitted inside the bottle. We used to pour the cream off the top, and when we had enogh Mum would make a sponge and we'd have whipped cream...

any other ex wellingtonians remember the cry of the paper boys, eeevening oaaast used to ring out each evening and the old pubs with their 6 o'clock closing. Remember my mother sending me into the old Clye Quay Hotel (now very long gone) on Oriental Bay, I must have been about 3 at the time, to fetch my father out, recall being sat up on the bar and my skirt being filled with pennies.

Tree Tomatoes

Raye's Grandmothers Horn Rendering Tree Tomato Chutney
(Old fashioned imperial measure)

2 lb of Tree Tomato finely diced and peeled (A light soak in hot water for about 3 minutes loosens the skin)1 Ib of Sultanas1 pint of Malt Vinegar1oz of Chopped Fresh Garlic (I find processed garlic works just as well)1/2 oz flaked Chillies1oz of ground Ginger2Ib of Sugar

Boil for approximately 1 hour, keep testing for set after 20 minutes or so boiling time

Goat skulls

They'd tied goat skulls to the front of the cars and one of them had handles attached to the bonnet. When we asked what the handles were for, one of the guys (Scott) explained that the car wasn't heavy enough in front to get good traction going up hill with a heavy load, so they had people sit on the bonnet, hanging on to the handles. He conceded that it did make it a little difficult for the driver to see where they were going, but that was easily addressed by having the passengers shout directions to their blinded chauffeur.

Trolls and Doll

The Trolls have always had a single ruler, the Mountain King. After he was killed in the Battle of the Riven Mountain the Trolls' power waned, and they became divided. Two factions formed; one believed that none but the Mountain King ought to rule them, and the other believed that rule should pass to Deep Giant, the fosterling of the Mountain King.
Trolls are the caretakers of the Dreaming, and have a particular relationship with Oaths.
Trolls have been around almost from the beginning. The Kithless fae at the beginning became Nocker and Trolls when one of them made the Gate of Ivory. The Sluagh were created through the actions of the Trolls.

Calling the Goldies back on board

Chesdale Cheese ! "We are the boys from down on the farm, We really know our cheese There's much better value in Chesdale, It never fails to please. Chesdale, Slices thinly Never crumbles, Theres no waste. And boy, it's got a mighty taste! Chesdale cheese!" It's finest cheddar Made better!

Chesdale cheese to me is still a treat! LOL much and all as I love the real cheeses, I seem to recall that Chesdale was one of the precursor foods to the longkeeping 'plastic' foods we see so much of now. Yummmm and every few years I treat myself to a block of the stuff

Remember - bring a plate (all a bit confusing for Poms.) Focus, just how many kids have you, sounds like a whole army? Don't forget ABBA. Who remembers Murray and milking time? Moooooooo.

who remebers throwing all the kids in the back seat and going some where no car seats no seatbelts

yes, in a 1928 National chevie It could take the pram on the floor of the back seat, and still leave room for our two daughters to use the rear bench seat as table on which to draw or read

Who remembers Cold Duck? It was the drink of choice when our young adults were wanted an evening on the town. They would bring a cold bottle home for an early evening meal, while I was out of town on business. And then with my wife feeling nicely on Cold Duck, she would send them off for an evening's fun

Cold Duck and Montana Pearl, I like listening to Sat Night on the radio as well... I can remember when we went to town by bus as we lived out in the sticks the prams and push chairs were hooked onto the back of the bus or underneath in cubby holes

When we had a batch in One Tree point up Ruakaka Dad would take us over i think it is called Uriti or Urawiti Rd something like that, which was up hill down dale road and we didn't have seat belts, loved that road

does chesdale still come in blocks? I thought they came in those plastic slices now.. Not the same - I'm sure they used to come in small triangles with different flavours like bacon, pineapple

Walked over Auckland Harbour Bridge, 1960(?) We did not have a car so a friend of my parents took us all to the beach in his small truck, us kids rolling around in the back (91)

The Complete History of New Zealand (Abridged

07.03.06Reviewed by Dionne Christian
Long gone are the days when history involved rote-learning old dates, names and military battles. Now it can be deconstructed and reconstructed through modern or post-modern eyes - depending on your class, age, gender or ethnicity. But Mark Hadlow and friends are going for another kind of revisionist history in The Complete History of New Zealand (Abridged). They make it funny and brief while neglecting none of our most sacred moments or cultural icons: the Edmond's cookbook, Buzzy Bees, rugby and early TV game show The Money or the Bag. Hadlow, Greg Cooper and Ben Barrington consider everything from the country's tectonic formations to the coming of the Maori, European colonisation and the economic reforms of the 1980s and early 90s. Writer/director Craig Cooper, who collaborated with his brother Greg and Carl Nixon on The Complete History, says they wanted to present history in a way that might have hooked them into the subject: "We wanted to have a fun rather than reverential look at New Zealand's history and present it in a way that was accessible and light-hearted but accurate - to find a way so it wasn't dusty and boring." Along the way the writers achieved for themselves what they hope to do for audiences - they became fascinated, engrossed and proud of the accomplishments by New Zealanders at home and abroad. Their personal "all-time big moments" include our being the first country to give women the vote, our role in the development of refrigeration, the formation of organisations such as Plunket and the work of scientists like Sir Ernest Rutherford. This involved melding them with everyday "Kiwi kultcha" - so Captain Cook is offered The Money or the Bag, international wars are fought with a rugby ball, Sir Robert Muldoon and Sir Roger Douglas do the Timewarp again and the cast makes a pavlova on stage. History has repeated itself somewhat - Hadlow directed the first production of The Complete History in Christchurch eight years ago. Back then it did the rounds of the South Island but this is the first time time it has been brought north, and new material has been added to cover the past eight or so years. Hadlow says the role has given him a greater appreciation of the demands of getting through so much material in a short time. The production has dozens of costume and prop changes. "It might feel to me as if history is catching up with me when my knees and back start to give out at the end of a day's rehearsal, but I actually don't think I've got the most difficult job," says Hadlow.

Men in Shopping Malls

Park's creators offer attractions to lure mall-shy men
Saturday June 3, 2006By Anne Gibson and Georgina Bond
Sylvia Park's creators have tried to overcome a growing aversion to shopping malls.
Women are a pushover, but getting men and kids to the shops, then keeping them there, is a hard task.
The fear of not being able to find a carpark or a toilet, of losing the car, getting tired, bored, hungry, mobbed by mall rats, plagued by the banal music or simply growing sick of the endless corridors of seemingly identical shops creates impediments.
Owner Kiwi knows the snags and has worked out some answers to draw a possible 10 million shopper visits a year to its Sylvia Park mall.
Roy Stansfield, Kiwi's retail leasing manager, said women were the keenest shoppers but the rest of the family decided if they would join her and how long they would stay.
The strategy has been to create a type of shopping creche for men. And one for kids.
"The bulk of spending is done by females, and it's not uncommon for the guy to want to do his own thing, so we're providing a few options," Stansfield said.
The men's zone includes a multiplex cinema with 10 hi-tech theatres; a 2000sq m Dick Smith Powerhouse with big boys' toys; a two-level bookstore of 2000sq m, one of the country's largest; a food and tavern precinct with outdoor areas; a Kathmandu store of 900sq m with outdoor and adventure focus; mountaineering, fishing and sports equipment specialist stores; and men's clothing stores grouped together, including Hallensteins, Mark Richard and Meccano.
Similar areas in British malls provide areas for men to test-drive cars.
AUT associate professor of marketing Margaret Craig-Lees says it's not that men don't shop, but that they shop differently. They shop less frequently and try to cram in as much as they can each trip.
As society trends towards more single people, more men are shopping for personal items. Just as important as attracting these men is to ensure they are not alienated from the centre.

ZEITGEIST - Surrey Crescent

Owners: Benjamin Chow and Frank Bischoff Where: 557 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn (in the Surrey Crescent shops) Benjamin Chow and Frank Bischoff have turned their eye for funky furniture and art into a business. Cool techno jazz music greets customers at Zeitgeist, which is packed full of retro pieces, many from the 50s, 60s, and 70s but some gems from as early as the 20s. Zeitgeist, which means spirit of the times in German, has been deliberately set up to feel like it could be someone's home, with former chef Chow dispensing espresso coffee, cake and tea from a tiny cafe at the back. "We wanted the shop to inspire people and show them ideas that could work in their own homes and at the same time make them feel welcome and relaxed with the little cafe and some chill-type music." Chow and Bischoff are drawn to the unusual shapes and bold colours that dominated design in the 50s through to the 70s. "The reason we like this period so much is because it was really brave. The pieces make a real statement, unlike the type of furniture you can buy in any old furniture shop which makes your place look exactly like your neighbours. One can do so much with these timeless classics, they will never be out of fashion, they will always be cool," says Chow.

Surrey Crescent Grey Lynn

7 Renall Street

Freemans Bay: Tranquil highway
25.02.06By Estelle Sarney.
7 Renall Street, Freemans Bay. NZ Idol judge Paul Ellis made the most of his historic home before being lured to a new job in Brisbane. Like most people who walk into old houses, Paul Ellis initially thought his 19th century villa in historic Renall Street had potential as a do-up. But after a few months living in its old bones, the former NZ Idol judge decided that no, the house was fine just the way it was. "Part of its appeal had been that it hadn’t been given the Ponsonby do-over - it wasn’t all gibbed and white and slick. It still had its character," says Paul. "It’s about 110 years old and it’s original configuration is still largely intact, which has charm." He’s right. From the two bedrooms directly off the lounge, to the sunny lean-to housing the kitchen and dining area at the back, up the steep, narrow staircase to rooms with every floor at a different angle upstairs, this house welcomes you with an old world honesty. The fireplace in the lounge may now have a gas burner, but its brick chimney remains exposed. The kitchen, which looks out to a sheltered, leafy courtyard, was renewed some years ago but its wooden benchtop and cupboards made from old school lockers are in keeping with the house. The main bathroom upstairs has a clawfoot bath. And, after all these years, you can still see the magnificent view from the upstairs east bedroom. Paul used this as his study, looking out across rooftops to the city skyline, the harbour, and Rangitoto. "You can watch the cruise liners come in," he says, "And it’s beautiful at night." The only concession to modern, high-tech luxury is in the rear courtyard, and Paul didn’t even know it was there until one evening after he moved in. "I found a switch and turned it on, and a ring of pale green fibre optic lights lit up around the edge of the paving. It looks lovely when you’ve got friends over." He cheerfully volunteers that it’s been a good party house. The lounge in the centre of the house flows out to the kitchen and dining area, which opens to the courtyard. The tall, ivy-covered wall of the Railway Lodge building next door provides shelter and privacy. Trees such as an ornamental cherry, a big pittosporum and a karaka soften the edges. There’s even a brush-covered shed in the corner to park the bikes. Two cars are taken care of in one of the few driveways in the street. Protected by the Auckland City Council for its history, most of the cottages in Renall Street were built in the 1890s for workers, many of whom toiled at the wharves which back then were just down the hill where Victoria Park is today. Number 7 is one of the few two-storeyed homes in the street. The high, generous lean-to at its rear was probably built at the turn of the century, as its sloping ceiling is made of wide kauri boards. Renall Street runs off Ponsonby Road from the end of the Three Lamps shopping centre, yet is surprisingly quiet. "It’s like a tranquil highway," says Paul. "It’s so close to everything, but you don’t have to interact with it. There’s even a little park at the bottom of the street, and Western Park and Pt Erin Park are within walking distance." When Paul bought the house eight months ago, he thought he’d be there for years but then he was offered a job as head of communications for Channel 9 in Brisbane. He left last week. "I know how you can bond with a house," he said before he departed. "And if I’d lived here for two or three years I might have tried to hang on to it. But I wasn’t in too deep; it was time to get out," he smiles. He hosted so many get-togethers at the house in his short time there that some friends bought him a barbecue for his birthday at the end of last year. He took that with him to Brisbane, planning to recreate the Renall Street atmosphere when they visit.

Renall Street

the area of land which was purchased from local chiefs in 1841, for Queen Victoria Original payment for the land:50 Blankets 50 Pounds (money) 20 Trousers 20 Shirts 10 Waistcoats 10 Caps 10 Iron Pots 4 Casks of Tobacco 1 Box of Pipes 100 Yards (92 metres) of GownPieces 1 Bag of Flour 20 Hatchets

In the 1840’s, the Ponsonby area as we know it today was virtually deserted. It was not until the 1850’s that residential growth started in Herne Bay and Freeman’s Bay.

Renall Street Auckland

Prior to the area being named Ponsonby, it was known as ‘Dedwood’. Dedwood was changed to Ponsonby in 1873, but no-one is really too sure who Ponsonby Road and Ponsonby the suburb is named after. Three main contenders for the honour are: Colonel Frederick Ponsonby, Sir William Ponsonby (both fought at Waterloo) and the Hon. Ponsonby Peacock. Another theory is it was named after a village in the West Country of England.

Historical Renall Street Auckland

From City Scene, published on 20 November, 2005
Heritage street - named after politician Alfred Renall and subdivided by Jeremiah Maloney around 1851.
Ponsonby's Renall Street is one of Auckland's best-kept heritage secrets.
Each of the 23 houses in this narrow, cottage-crammed street is a category A building, while Renall Street itself is an A-graded conservation area. This makes it the highest-ranked area in Auckland City's isthmus district plan, and the protection is strongly supported by its residents.
Built in the 1870s and 1880s, the houses are a remnant of Auckland's 19th century artisan housing that has all but disappeared.
Those on the north side of Renall Street are single storied, while those on the south are double-storied. Because many of the sections are only 10m to 12m wide, the properties sit cheek-by-jowl, with tiny front yards and picket fences facing directly on to the footpath. In the city's early days, interaction between residents was commonplace.
The street's Lodge Building is also a reminder of the close relationship that used to exist between trades and lodge organisations.
Renall Street's houses are of three types: the hip-roofed, sash-windowed symmetrical cottage with full-width verandah; the bay villa with one of the front rooms pushed under a gable; and the two storey villa with high-pitched gable roof and verandah.
Between 1951 and 1971, various plans were proposed that involved some degree of destruction. But Renall Street residents stood firm and their street eventually joined Selwyn Court and Ewelme Cottage on the historic places register for protection.

Odd Fellow meet here - Renall Street Auckland

What is the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF)

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows was set up to provide workers and their families with financial and other assistance at a time when there was no government welfare. The first New Zealand I.O.O.F. Lodge was formed in Dunedin on the 18th of August, 1862.
I.O.O.F. continues to assist those who wish to protect their families' well-being, care for the future and assist other members and the community at a time of need. I.O.O.F. is a non-profit organisation owned by its members. Surpluses are used to develop new products and provide increasing benefits to members.
I.O.O.F assists in the personal growth and development of its members which helps them operate within the community in a socially aware and constructive manner.I.O.O.F also provides regular support to charities such as Cot Death, Barnado's, CanTeen, Guide Dog Appeal, ADARDS (Alzhemeimers Disease and Related Disorders Society) The Asthma Foundation and currently Multiple Sclerosis. On a local basis, support is given to charities such as hospices, woman's groups and children's appeals.

Fallen

A Walk in the Park

Skipping - Victoria Park

End the Silence May 29/06

REAL GROOVY COMMENTS Blindspott is a band that will do more than make a dent on NZ music this month – it’ll kick the ass out of the rock scene with their new raw metal album END THE SILENCE.Their debut self-titled album (2002) achieved one of the highest ship-out & pre-order figures ever seen from a local band, beating legends Nirvana and Foo Fighters to the coveted #1 position in the New Zealand charts.At the end of 2005 the band started recording their new album with Swedish producers Pelle Henrickson and Eskil Lovestrom, who have worked with bands such as Poison the Well, Refused and Cult of Luna.Heavy in a way Blindspott only hinted at, this is unashamedly metal, with no need of a prefix. “This album is just a metal album,” says drummer Shelton Woolright. “It doesn’t really fit into a genre, like the whole Emo sound that’s around now. This will be an album you’ll be able to put on years later and it’ll still be refreshing and solid.” Artist:

Blindspott

End the Silence

Capitol

Fallen Leaf

The bright reds and purples we see in leaves are made mostly in the fall. In some trees, like maples, glucose is trapped in the leaves after photosynthesis stops. Sunlight and the cool nights of autumn cause the leaves turn this glucose into a red color. The brown color of trees like oaks is made from wastes left in the leaves.

Falling leaf - Victoria Park

We all enjoy the colors of autumn leaves. Did you ever wonder how and why a fall leaf changes color? Why a maple leaf turns bright red? Where do the yellows and oranges come from? To answer those questions, we first have to understand what leaves are and what they do.
Leaves are nature's food factories. Plants take water from the ground through their roots. They take a gas called carbon dioxide from the air. Plants use sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into glucose. Glucose is a kind of sugar. Plants use glucose as food for energy and as a building block for growing. The way plants turn water and carbon dioxide into sugar is called photosynthesis. That means "putting together with light." A chemical called chlorophyll helps make photosynthesis happen. Chlorophyll is what gives plants their green color. Why do leaves turn color in autumn? That's a very exciting question -- with an equally exciting answer!

Inside a leaf there are millions of little packages of color in green, yellow and orange.
The green packages are called chlorophyll
The yellow packages are called xanthophyll
The orange packages are called carotene

Abandoned - On Queen Street

Another New Day in Queen Street Auckland

Queens Birthday weekend

Coffee Any One

Tis the Ball Season

Finding the perfect gown for a special occasion can be hard, but nzgirl makes it easy with a rundown on this season’s hottest styles, cuts and the places to buy.Strikingly simpleSometimes the classic gowns are the best and the old classics generally fit into four categories Empire, Ball-gown, A-line or Princess and the Sheath or Mermaid . Empire dresses have no waist and the line of the dress falls from below the bust. Ball-gown style dresses typically have a full skirt and are cinched in at the natural waist - a great option to hide thighs and tummy or to create a waist. The a-line or princess cut, which has no defined waist, but is fitted close to the body then flares outwards, is perfect for all body shapes. Lastly the sheath or mermaid which is fitted throughout the body is a great option for slim and tall girls. If you are looking for a classic ball gown then pop into your local bridal store as they often stock a large amount of ball dresses and bridesmaids gowns

Morningside Kindy

Miss Barbara - 1985, Julie and Marie 1986.
Next to MAPS -

Chestnut Tree at MAPS

Zoning

English pledges end to 'rigid' zoning restrictions
04.08.05By Ainsley Thomson
School zoning is back on the political agenda this election as National promises to end Labour's "rigid" zoning restrictions. National education spokesman Bill English said the party's policy was to give parents greater choice and to allow schools and communities to decide whether to use zones. The party did not intend to abandon zones because many schools needed a device to control their roll and students should be able to attend their local school. But Mr English said schools would be able to use other enrolments schemes - such as having a list of criteria that could include geographical location, siblings and children of former pupils - to select students. Schools would also be encouraged to specialise in areas where they had strong skills, such as performing arts, and select students with interests in those areas. At present zoning is used at crowded schools that allocate any remaining places by ballot. About 20 per cent of state primary schools, 40 per cent of state intermediate schools, 5 per cent of state composite schools and 30 per cent of state secondary schools have zoning. After local students, children accessing special programmes have first right of entry, followed by siblings of current students, siblings of former students, and children of board employees. Labour says its policy is based on the concept that all students should have a right to attend their local school and to attend any other school they choose where possible. The party says if zoning were removed schools would be able to "cherry-pick" the students they wanted. In 1989 Labour partly abolished zoning as part of Tomorrow's Schools, but kept a safeguard that all students had a right to attend their local school. When National came to power in 1990 it allowed schools to control their enrolment policies. But eight years later the party introduced a restricted form of zoning for overcrowded schools. In 2000 Labour took this further and gave students the right to attend the school within their zone. Zoning has been a hot topic for many years for social as well as educational reasons. School zones can increase property prices in "top zones", while the removal of a protective zone can spell the end for schools in underprivileged areas or the formation of "ghetto" schools when students leave for what they see as better ones. The Greens support zoning because of concerns that without it wealthy schools would try to hand-pick wealthy students. The party also says if students are attending schools near their homes it reduces traffic congestion and pollution. Act is firmly against zoning, saying parents should have the right to take their child's share of state funding to a school of their choice - public or private. Many of the smaller parties have not spelled out a policy. The case for zoning* Fair for students as everyone is entitled to go to his or her local school. * Prevents schools from hand-picking students for their academic or sporting abilities or because of their family background. * Less segregation and potential for "white flight" (parents avoiding local schools with high numbers of Maori, Pacific Island or immigrant children). * Improves equality of education across the school system. * Less traffic and car pollution as students do not have to travel as far to school. The case against zoning* Promotes inequality because only children from families living in well-off areas are entitled to go to the best schools. * Artificially boosts house prices in some suburbs and depresses them in others. * Prevents students from attending the school that they (or their parents) choose. * Artificially protects schools with low educational standards because unhappy parents and students cannot go elsewhere. * Denies schools control over their own enrolment policies.

Mt Albert Primary - opened 1870

Today we hear that children in Linwood Ave, Mt Albert (my old address) can no longer automatically go to Gladstone, a short walk away, but must tackle a major highway to get to Mt Albert Primary, a greater distance away. Absolute madness!
We should not be focussing on the schools that are in demand but asking some really tough questions of the schools that are not "in" and finding out why they are failing to address the needs of their local community.
It's not all white flight. I've met plenty of white families who have chosen to send their children to Grey Lynn Primary in that same neck of the woods.
Mt Albert Primary has great facilities and great grounds so what is going on inside that parents shun so badly?
I reserve the right to spend my $$$ to send my children to the private school of my choice (although I don't) but I also pay my taxes and with THAT money I expect an education and health system to be provided to all NZ'ers that meets the communities needs at a consistently high level

Escalator St Lukes

Farmers St Lukes - Winter Fashion 2006

Wanganui Street Auckland - Film Shoot

Ohhh, wonder what movie set it is for