After two months in our apartment we feel settled, and are increasingly appreciating the environment around us. Tāmaki Mākaurau is a city of fifty volcanoes, nestled between two harbours. The rooftop deck of our apartment building offers amazing 36o degree views of volcanoes, harbours and islands. Tanya has captured views of some of the […]
Our neighbourhood…
May 18, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The Grey Lynn neighbourhood is diverse, colourful and fascinating. We go to the Farmers’ Market at the Community Centre every Sunday morning for our weekly fresh produce, and every Thursday for a Tai Chi session; and relish a coffee at one of the many cafes now and then. Charmaine walks, reacquainting herself with plane-tree-lined avenues, […]
Ngāti Whātua Today…
May 18, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Ngāti Whātua, mana whenua of this area, have an important commemoration coming up this month, to which everyone is welcome. On Friday 25 May, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei will mark the 40th anniversary of a defining moment in New Zealand history- the invasion in 1978 of Ngāti Whātua land at Bastion Point by government-ordered police […]
“Whānau”
May 18, 2018 by Leave a Comment
We are fortunate to know Mei Hill, artist, of Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara, and Kaitiaki Toi at Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei . We have just installed this beautiful acrylic work of hers, called “Whanau”, in our living room. It sits beside Nic Moon’s “Ancient Woman”, hand crafted paper and acrylic work (1996).
Our first week in the city…
March 19, 2018 by 8 Comments
We moved into our new urban apartment- in Ockham’s Isaac Newton project in Grey Lynn on Saturday 10 March. We feel very lucky to be here. The environment is exciting and stimulating; The apartment is white, crisp, modern and lovely- our challenges include remembering how to use our “swipe keys” for entrances and exits, […]
A Summer Like No Other..
March 19, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Christmas 2017 in the Waitakeres We spent Christmas week 2017 with our friends Farida and Shila in the Waitakeres, being treated as honoured aunties and fed delicious meals from many different cultures. On Christmas Day we drove to the waterfront together and walked from Kohimarama to St Heliers and back, enjoying the vast crowds […]
Celebrating Women’s Music in Aotearoa
March 19, 2018 by Leave a Comment
We have been to two outstanding women’s music events this year- a reunion of 1980s women musicians on February 9, and an Auckland Arts Festival commemoration of Mahinaarangi Tocker and her music on March 16 and 17. Bags of hags […]
Te Kura Whare
March 19, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Ever since we saw the film Ever the Land in the 2015 film festival we have been wanting to visit Tuhoe’s new tribal development centre, Te Kura Whare. The only “Living Building” in Aotearoa, and one of only a handful in the world, it is made wherever possible from local resources by local people, uses non-toxic materials […]
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