Bike Auckland’s AGM was the best AGM I’ve attended! Over in 5 minutes-” totally rigged!” as the dynamic silver-haired chair, Barbara Cuthbert, announced gleefully, ” because all the current committee members want to continue,” – “but”- she added “we can easily coopt any other keen bikers!” An evening to celebrate a busy year of hustling, […]
Rangitoto…
August 19, 2019 by 2 Comments
“Where shall we go for my birthday treat, I wonder? Somewhere not too far away, close to nature, simple to arrange, and with a low carbon footprint. How about Rangitoto Island?” Tanya asked herself…and Charmaine … So here are Tanya’s reflections on 14-17 August 2019… For both of us, the skyline of Auckland has […]
Good Judgement
August 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment
If you’ve ever wondered what the induction of a new judge into the court system in New Zealand might be like, you might have imagined rows of dark-suited lawyers, and elderly be-wigged Pakeha men presiding. When we were invited to the swearing-in of Auckland barrister Faumui Penelope (Lope) Ginnen as a Judge in the Manukau […]
Best Book, Best Writers, Best Bookshop…
August 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment
(Charmaine’s unabashedly personal views…) A Teaching Life, by Carol White, has just been published by The Cuba Press. It has been eleven years in the making, since Carol retired from her position as Co-Principal of Selwyn College, in East Auckland. I was delighted to be asked to write a foreword to it, and then to launch […]
Charm from the Chathams
August 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Kaa’i and Francesca, our friends from Rekohu/Chatham Islands have been in Auckland again, this time supporting and judging the culinary efforts of children in South Auckland, and extending the marketing of their new unique freeze-dried honey from the Chathams. They are also finalists in the NZ Artisan Awards…to be decided later in the year.. It’s […]
Matariki in Tamaki Makaurau
July 19, 2019 by 2 Comments
The programme for Matariki in Tamaki Makaurau is enormous, these days – well over a hundred activities and events all around the city. We chose three special events when we came back from our holiday in the South Island. Te Hono- stories from Maori myth and history about Tamaki Makaurau – in the Town Hall […]
Te Wai Pounamu: Monday 24 June-Tuesday 2 July
July 19, 2019 by 4 Comments
This winter we decided to take a short break in the South Island of Aotearoa , rather than on a warm island in the Pacific to the north. So Tanya organised a journey to Marlborough, Kaikoura and Christchurch. In Marlborough we wanted to learn more about the Wairau Bar and Moahunter history there; in Kaikoura […]
And finally, a celebration… a political activity…and a great writer
July 19, 2019 by 1 Comment
Charmaine celebrated her 77th birthday on Thursday 11 July, and Tanya had organised a lovely day- a cuppa in bed and a beautiful gift, breakfast at a cafe in Grey Lynn, and a surprise outing in the evening- all Charmaine knew in advance was to be ready for an Uber at 5.40pm. We went outside […]
Earthsong Eco Neighbourhood
Public Good