Letter from the Editor - July 2021

Last month Ponsonby News was proud to receive the Penny Bright memorial trophy presented by board member Sarah Trotman at the monthly Waitematā Local Board meeting.

The award was for our consistent news coverage of important local issues like the demolition of the Western Springs pine forest. We remain concerned about the state of the native forest now the pines have been felled.

The forest is not in a suitable condition to accept 8,000 tiny native seedlings – it will be 30 to 40 years before the forest is regrown. Most of the pines were far from dead and didn’t need to be urgently cut down. When the council is almost broke and rates are set to rise by at least 5%, how profligate was it to spend several million dollars destroying an existing forest including $50,000 a week for security to keep all citizens out. When will prohibition on entry be withdrawn?

It’s been 50 years since the Polynesian Panthers were formed in Ponsonby. There is a podcast ‘Once a Panther’ where the Panthers share their story in their own words. As they told us, “long before risking our freedom as Polynesian Panthers, we were simply Polynesian. It was time to be heard. It was time to mobilise. It was time to fight back.”

Rezoning Ponsonby? Last month the Urban Development Institute of New Zealand (UDINZ) held a panel discussion at Ponsonby Central to take a closer look at the government’s new national policy statement on urban development (NPS UP) and how it could impact central suburbs like Ponsonby. The event was provocatively headlined ‘Flexible zoning in Ponsonby?’ Unsurprisingly this resulted in a number of concerned and curious residents attending the event.

Enhance mind, body and soul and escape to the haven that is The Life Centre, a new multidimensional wellbeing centre offering a range of treatments for clients in beautiful surroundings and a calm, peaceful environment. They have just opened at 88 Jervois Road. Refurbished with love, the tranquil sanctuary will provide a drop-in haven for clients seeking respite from everyday stressors.

Street signs. Several friends tell us that many of our local streets are not named at both ends. At intersections signs are sometimes on the opposite side of the road or behind trees. Driving is hazardous without having to look right as well as left before you turn into a street you are travelling to.

After 45 years carving out a stellar career behind the scenes of New Zealand fashion, it is most definitely local designer Paul Chaplin’s time to shine. Preferring to allow his work to speak for itself, the self-effacing creative talent launched his eponymous label last September.

Many locals love Bob & Friends, the store on Ponsonby Road which sells an eclectic range of homewares. They are now located near the Three Lamps end of the strip. Ron, the owner, would love to show you his new store. (MARTIN LEACH)

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