The return of these lamps to Ponsonby is fantastic news.
It has
been long awaited and would not of happened with out the generosity of
the Cossar family as reported but also the efforts of former Western
Bays Community Board member Bruce Kilminster who tirelessly pursed all
options to get the Three Lamps back into their rightful place.Tricia
Reade continued his fine efforts and she was able to bring the final
negotiations to an ultimately successful conclusion.
Our ever increasing diaspora are returning to the cities and
towns of their birth often with mokapuna seeking to find where their
forbears came from. Film productions are also seeking locations will
find the return Three Lamps most satisfying .They are a wonderful
addiction to the historic neighbourhods of Freemens Bay and Ponsonby
where people can connect with their soul.
Heritage buildings, street scape, including furnishings and
lighting are also important .With the reinstatement of the Three Lamps
, the poll and foundations one would expect be of the same style and
standard .
To complete the picture the streetlights around There Lamps should
complement and the undergrounding of cables and telegraph wires should
happen simultaneously .When this has been completed the Waitamata Board
can congratulate themselves on a another job well done. This will also
help local retail and other commercial business.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
The Angels Share at the Auckland International Film Festival
Today at the Civic Theatre we were treated to another Ken Loach human masterpiece .
Robbie and a few losers who a met on a PD program thru Harry their warden discover a taste for and enjoyment of malt whiskey .
Through whiskey they turn their life around .
The film is both emotional draining and humorous .I am sipping a Glenlivet as I write this post
Enough said , get tickets , and enjoy The Angels Share
Robbie and a few losers who a met on a PD program thru Harry their warden discover a taste for and enjoyment of malt whiskey .
Through whiskey they turn their life around .
The film is both emotional draining and humorous .I am sipping a Glenlivet as I write this post
Enough said , get tickets , and enjoy The Angels Share
Blast Pat Hanly -The Painter and his Protests
At the Voyager National Maritime Museum Auckland
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| Add caption |
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Symonds Street Cemetry Should be Auckland's Pioneer Park
This letter was published in the New Zealand Herald on Wednesday 18 July 2012.
Brian Rudman's suggestion about cemetery the is meritorious and should be given full consideration by Auckland Council and even central government .Hobson and others buried there are nationally important and their graves and contribution to New Zealand are surely worthy of a national contribution .
New Zealanders make trips to the birth places of our forbears .The kiwi diaspora is large and growing. Many of them come back to New Zealand often with mokapuna who want to know where their parents and grandparents were born or grew up .This is a natural human wish and we should do all to make this a wonderful, educational discovery and connection for them .
The population of the Waitemata will continue to increase and demand for green space is endemic .Three schools already use the Domain . Myers ,Albert ,Western , Tole and Grey Lynn parks are working at over capacity.
The cemetery can help alleviate this pressure and also has some of the best ozone in the city .We should also provide scented gardens for those whose eyesight is impaired.
The unsafe area where security guards are scared to venture needs to be addressed .
Most of these people have mental health issues which are hidden in the fumes of various addictions. They are worthy of compassion, we should not drive them to the edge of town but work with the social agencies to get the best possible outcome for them too.
Brian Rudman's suggestion about cemetery the is meritorious and should be given full consideration by Auckland Council and even central government .Hobson and others buried there are nationally important and their graves and contribution to New Zealand are surely worthy of a national contribution .
New Zealanders make trips to the birth places of our forbears .The kiwi diaspora is large and growing. Many of them come back to New Zealand often with mokapuna who want to know where their parents and grandparents were born or grew up .This is a natural human wish and we should do all to make this a wonderful, educational discovery and connection for them .
The population of the Waitemata will continue to increase and demand for green space is endemic .Three schools already use the Domain . Myers ,Albert ,Western , Tole and Grey Lynn parks are working at over capacity.
The cemetery can help alleviate this pressure and also has some of the best ozone in the city .We should also provide scented gardens for those whose eyesight is impaired.
The unsafe area where security guards are scared to venture needs to be addressed .
Most of these people have mental health issues which are hidden in the fumes of various addictions. They are worthy of compassion, we should not drive them to the edge of town but work with the social agencies to get the best possible outcome for them too.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Auckland Thespians come out for Gay Rights
At Maidment theatre last night some of Auckland liberal community
turned out in force.
Sequined drag queens, twenty three actors including Robyn Malcolm and Peter Elliot, fag hags, stars, singers,politicians including Labour MP Jacinda Adern all celebrated this victory and in questions and answers after the show reflected on the New Zealand situation .In common cause they drank fine wine and mineral water.
A proposal known as Proposition 8 galvanized the social liberals and gay community of America to defeat this legislation banning gay marriage . This play is about the successful court case led by lawyers Ted Owens and David Boise to the the American Supreme Court ruled that proposition 8 was unconstitutional .
Buckwheat and Tess Tickle doing their bits for gay rights
In the United States prominent actors including George Clooney ,Brad Pitt and Jamie Lee Curtis have acted in this play. The leading New Zealand actors who also taken up the call should be recognized.. All power to them
It was a full house and the writer was unable to get tickets .
Sequined drag queens, twenty three actors including Robyn Malcolm and Peter Elliot, fag hags, stars, singers,politicians including Labour MP Jacinda Adern all celebrated this victory and in questions and answers after the show reflected on the New Zealand situation .In common cause they drank fine wine and mineral water.
A proposal known as Proposition 8 galvanized the social liberals and gay community of America to defeat this legislation banning gay marriage . This play is about the successful court case led by lawyers Ted Owens and David Boise to the the American Supreme Court ruled that proposition 8 was unconstitutional .
Buckwheat and Tess Tickle doing their bits for gay rightsIn the United States prominent actors including George Clooney ,Brad Pitt and Jamie Lee Curtis have acted in this play. The leading New Zealand actors who also taken up the call should be recognized.. All power to them
It was a full house and the writer was unable to get tickets .
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
A present from the Christchurch Earthquake
This was published in the New Zealand Herald 28 June ,2012entitled Earthquake Levy
We received our latest policy and the costs have gone up from around eight hundred dollars to in excess of three thousand two hundred dollars for the earthquake and war damage levy. This increase is due to the Christchurch earthquake and international reinsurance costs which have also affected other parts of our policy.This decision disadvantages Auckland, because the population is so great and the houses worth more than many parts of the country, we seem to be recapitalizing the earthquake and war damage fund.
Substantial numbers of residents in this city will also face substantial residential rates increases. There will be an impact on many, especially those on fixed incomes.
These increases will also impact on churches and community halls, and the businesses on the high streets that contain the heritage and character buildings. These streets are important for nation building and telling the stories of our cities. With these increased premiums their very existence may well be under threat .The increase will not be one off and may increase year on year.
Heritage neighborhoods are important for the tourism industry which is our second largest industry for earning foreign exchange. Without interesting heritage neighbourhoods the tourism income that helps sustain employment in our cities would be severely affected. Had AMI been bought by local interests when it had problems last year,we would have some leverage and negotiating ability with these foreign owned insurance companies, and our position may be better .
This is a national issue and the government needs to provide assistance for residents and business.
We received our latest policy and the costs have gone up from around eight hundred dollars to in excess of three thousand two hundred dollars for the earthquake and war damage levy. This increase is due to the Christchurch earthquake and international reinsurance costs which have also affected other parts of our policy.This decision disadvantages Auckland, because the population is so great and the houses worth more than many parts of the country, we seem to be recapitalizing the earthquake and war damage fund.
Substantial numbers of residents in this city will also face substantial residential rates increases. There will be an impact on many, especially those on fixed incomes.
These increases will also impact on churches and community halls, and the businesses on the high streets that contain the heritage and character buildings. These streets are important for nation building and telling the stories of our cities. With these increased premiums their very existence may well be under threat .The increase will not be one off and may increase year on year.
Heritage neighborhoods are important for the tourism industry which is our second largest industry for earning foreign exchange. Without interesting heritage neighbourhoods the tourism income that helps sustain employment in our cities would be severely affected. Had AMI been bought by local interests when it had problems last year,we would have some leverage and negotiating ability with these foreign owned insurance companies, and our position may be better .
This is a national issue and the government needs to provide assistance for residents and business.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Who do you think you are kidding Mr Walsh?
In todays New Zaland Herald the spin doctor for the New Zaland Institute of architects wrote a critical feature .This should not be left unanswered.
This is my reply.
Mr Walsh mistakenly suggests supporters of heritage
protection have closed minds and are opposed to modern
homes. Every year, hundreds of people renovate and update
villas to meet the needs of twenty first century families.
Hakanoa Street evolved over decades not by demolition and
replacement, but by sensitive restoration and modernization.
Mr Walsh’s suggestion that villas are simply “boxes with
protuberances and sloping roofs attached” is rather
shallow. Having renovated three villas, I understand they
are part of our built and cultural heritage to pass onto
future generations.
Villas, bungalows and cottages in Ponsonby and Grey Lynn
have accommodated successive generations of various social
classes over time. Mr Walsh recalls when urban professionals
discovered them and argues the inhabitants of traditionally
working-class and often Polynesian parts of inner Auckland
didn’t demand newcomers adopt rugby league and taro. He
misses the point. It’s not social history supporters of
heritage protection seek to preserve, but their built
heritage.
Mr Walsh is a communications manager promoting architects to
design homes that meet both clients’ needs and city
planning regulations. The issue isn’t about architectural competence.Its about heritage rules and all power to those who are prepared to stand up for them.
This is my reply.
Mr Walsh mistakenly suggests supporters of heritage
protection have closed minds and are opposed to modern
homes. Every year, hundreds of people renovate and update
villas to meet the needs of twenty first century families.
Hakanoa Street evolved over decades not by demolition and
replacement, but by sensitive restoration and modernization.
Mr Walsh’s suggestion that villas are simply “boxes with
protuberances and sloping roofs attached” is rather
shallow. Having renovated three villas, I understand they
are part of our built and cultural heritage to pass onto
future generations.
Villas, bungalows and cottages in Ponsonby and Grey Lynn
have accommodated successive generations of various social
classes over time. Mr Walsh recalls when urban professionals
discovered them and argues the inhabitants of traditionally
working-class and often Polynesian parts of inner Auckland
didn’t demand newcomers adopt rugby league and taro. He
misses the point. It’s not social history supporters of
heritage protection seek to preserve, but their built
heritage.
Mr Walsh is a communications manager promoting architects to
design homes that meet both clients’ needs and city
planning regulations. The issue isn’t about architectural competence.Its about heritage rules and all power to those who are prepared to stand up for them.
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