Ponsonby News has been published monthly - on the first Friday of every month - excluding January, since 1989. The magazine is A4 in size, printed in full colour, usually between 100 to 128 pages in length and is distributed to over 15,987 homes and businesses, by hand, in the greater Ponsonby area.

Ponsonby News deals with local news, views and events, personalities, celebrities and local people, shopping, fashion and gifts, food, wine, cafes, restaurants and bars, relaxation, arts, theatre, music and motoring, accommodation and hotels, architecture, conservation and real estate, home, lifestyle, diversity and pets, wellbeing; mind, body and spirit, community, education, sport and travel.

Publisher/Editor, Martin Leach has extensive experience and has received 18 international accolades for publishing excellence. In London, Martin launched a number of business to business magazines, events, masterclasses, dinners and conferences as brand extensions.

Associate Publisher, Jo Barrett has some 25 years experience in sales and marketing in advertising agencies and graphic design along with a more recent newspaper business development background. Jo is a long term Ponsonby resident and loves to paint in her spare time.

Associate Editor, Jay Platt has 18 years experience in information technology, HR, business development along with an intuitive feel about popular culture. Born in London, Jay has spent most of his time in 'Blighty' apart from a spell in California. He relocated to New Zealand with Mister Scottie and Martin Leach in April 2001.

Ponsonby is iconic in New Zealand. EVERYONE has heard of it. Even in this global world. The Ponsonby Road 'strip' ... with its large number of bars, cafes and restaurants is what makes this infamous area such a popular place to meet. These days Ponsonby also attracts and promotes fashion. There are over 50 fashion retailers - the majority for women, but there are five or six catering exclusively to men. Then there are the furniture stores. We have some of the best along with home wares and interior design businesses.

It's all here in Ponsonby. In London it would be Notting Hill/Kensington, in Manhattan - Soho/Chelsea, in Sydney - Paddington/Darlinghurst. Main Roads - College Hill, Jervois, Franklin, Richmond, Williamson Avenue and Surrey Crescent.

Our Community ... residents have included actors, all blacks, bishops, boaties, musicians, prostitutes, romantics, revolutionaries, writers - the odd governor general and prime minister. But above all else, Ponsonby is Auckland's main creative life-force. It all seems to happen here, first.

Our history ... One hundred and fifty years ago the hills and valleys of Ponsonby and Freeman's bay were covered with fern and manuka; by 1900 the landscape was covered by industry and housing. Maori had been present on the Tamaki isthmus from around 1000 AD. While many small sub-tribal groups moved through the area, Waiohua were tangata whenua until overwhelmed by Ngati Whatua in 1750. In 1840 Ngati Whatua sold substantial blocks of land around the Waitemata Harbour to Governor Hobson who established the colony's capital there. Ponsonby was originally know as Dedwood and was renamed Ponsonby in 1873.

Our houses ... Ponsonby's streets are lined with character villas, many have remained untouched while others, still maintaining their original character, have been renovated to fit with modern urban life style living. That is what makes Ponsonby, PONSONBY. There are many different parts of our area ... like Freeman's Bay, with its colonial workers cottages set amongst some very grand old homes, modern terraced townhouses and apartments and not much more than a stroll to the CBD. In late November/December Freeman's Bays' tree lined Franklin Road transforms into a Christmas Wonderland, with the beautiful old villas lavishly adorned in Christmas fairy lights ... people from all over Auckland come to look at and share in, this spectacular event.

To the west of Ponsonby, lies Grey Lynn ... this diverse multicultural community of alternative lifestyles and creativity, is an energetic and spirited area with a cafe culture of its own. The annual Grey Lynn Park Festival with its distinct Pacific Island flavour draws crowds to enjoy markets, music, ethnic foods and much more. Grey Lynn was home to many early Auckland manufacturing businesses. The Sleepyhead Mattress factory and the old Summit Shirt Factory building are just two local examples which have been redeveloped as New York loft style apartments.

St Mary's Bay is a small, almost intimate community spirited neighbourhood perched on the northern slopes boasting glorious views to Westhaven Marina, inner Waitemata Harbour and the CBD. Modern townhouses sit amongst some of the grandest of grand homes and early colonial villas most of which have been superbly renovated. Today although almost 100% gentrified, St Mary's Bay's past included brothels, abortion clinics, drug squats and illegal drinking dens!

Herne Bay is considered as one of Auckland's most exclusive suburbs with a number of homes currently valued in excess of $3million. During the late 1800's many of Auckland's early business leaders built grand Victorian residences on the north side, while on the southern side, Auckland's first developer mass built four avenues of villas. Jervois Road, known locally as 'Herne Bay Village' with its cafes, bars, restaurants and specialty retail shops is the hub that divides the northern slopes from 'the avenues' on the southern side. Of all the bays, Herne Bay is the only bay which boasts its own small local beach.

Ponsonby News is distributed to homes and businesses in Ponsonby, Arch Hill, Cox's Bay, Freeman's Bay, Herne Bay, Grey Lynn, St Mary's Bay, West Lynn and Westmere plus selected businesses in Kingsland, Mt Eden, Newmarket, Newton and Parnell.

Martin Leach - 'The New Alchemist' from Charles and Elizabeth Handy's book, 'The New Alchemists; How Visionary People Create Something Out of Nothing' View a preview ISBN: 0091799953 - Random House/ Hutchinson Now available in paper back in New Zealand.
Rest In Peace Mr Scottie - 7/7/90 - 10/2/05 By Jay Platt & Martin Leach It's always difficult to say goodbye to friends or family. And for us pet lovers it's just as hard when it's one of our four legged friends who have given so much - their loyalty, their unconditional love and affection. View article