Ponsonby News

Ponsonby News Ponsonby. Anyone not heard of us? We are Auckland's most talked about part of town.

@ THE STUDIO OF TABLEWARE Spring Glassware Sale: Enjoy at least 20% off* across quality glassware brands with a massive ...
22/09/2025

@ THE STUDIO OF TABLEWARE

Spring Glassware Sale: Enjoy at least 20% off* across quality glassware brands with a massive selection heavily reduced up to 60% off!
The perfect time to stock up your cupboards for spring and summer BBQs and al fresco dinners. Think ahead to Christmas (it’s not that far away!) and make a start from our extensive selection of glassware . . . NZ’s largest selection of quality glass and crystal.

Wine glasses, champagne flutes, beer glasses, tumblers, gin & tonic glasses, specialty glassware, decanters, jugs, bowls, vases and much more . . .

Shop online or visit the Mt Eden showroom.
(*some conditions & exclusions apply)


https://www.thestudio.co.nz/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21515384623&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsZ_ngZjrjwMVBxaDAx2-jy7SEAAYASAAEgIzqfD_BwE

The Studio of Tableware

18/09/2025

Projects opens next month: Waste Minimisation & Innovation Fund opens soon

Do you have an idea for reducing waste in your community, school or business?

Auckland Council is encouraging Aucklanders to take action on waste with the return of the Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund (WMIF), opening for applications from 1 October to 31 October.

The fund supports creative and practical initiatives that help reduce waste going to landfill and promote recycling and reuse across the region. There is a total funding pool of $500,000 with grants ranging from $1,000 to $50,000.

To make the fund more accessible, Auckland Council has simplified the application process for small grants (under $5,000) and for schools. The shorter application form and more flexible criteria are the result of past applicants’ feedback and make the fund easier to apply for.

Auckland Council General Manager Waste Solutions Justine Haves says smaller projects often have an impact beyond their size.

“Community-led initiatives and school projects to reduce waste can lead to behaviour changes that have a positive ripple effect across households and communities to help achieve Auckland’s goal of zero waste by 2040,” says Ms Haves.

Previous successful projects for small grants include installing hot composting systems, kai resilience projects, setting up zero waste programmes for school students, and supporting community education and behaviour change initiatives.

The WMIF provides seed funding to enable creative reuse and recovery of resources and generate economic opportunities.

“There is still plenty of scope for innovation when it comes to developing a circular economy. For example, construction and demolition waste, which makes up at least one third of all waste to landfill is the waste stream with the most potential for diversion. Previous recipients have used funds to develop business opportunities with diverted materials,” says Ms Haves.

The fund is open to community groups, businesses, mana whenua, mataawaka, schools, early childhood centres, tertiary institutions, and other organisations in the Auckland region. Applicants must be a legal entity.

Recent past grant recipients include:

Ara Education Charitable Trust, which gives school leavers practical experience restoring homes using salvaged materials

Clevaco, creators of the CLEVA Pod system that replaces polystyrene in house foundations

Ae Ka Taea e Koe trialled a pickup and drop off service for reusable nappies

Digital Future Aotearoa refurbishes unwanted devices to reduce e-waste

Auckland Library of Tools and Repair Café Aotearoa - for establishing a permanent weekly repair café

Nukumea Primary School, which launched a zero-waste programme for students and installed composting stations

Sikh Women’s Association Trust - a Green Warrior initiative to promote sustainability and waste education.

Any organisations ready to make a difference can visitaucklandcouncil.govt.nz/wastefund to learn more and apply from 1 October 2025.

Read this and other stories on OurAuckland.

18/09/2025

200+ reasons to vote in Auckland local elections

Local elections season is well underway with nearly 25,000 votes already returned.

In case you haven’t noticed, Auckland Council has given residents extra reasons to vote, with nearly 200 unmissable orange vote boxes set up across the region as beacons for participation – alerting Aucklanders to where they can drop their vote.

Matching orange voting packs are making their way to registered voters’ letterboxes and are expected to be fully distributed by 22 September. This is your ticket to choose who represents you as Auckland’s mayor, ward councillors and local board members for the next three years.

It’s now up to Aucklanders to complete their vote, using the guide that comes in the voting pack or the online candidate catalogue. Then place the completed vote inside the return envelope and drop it in the nearest vote box – with locations mapped out on Vote Auckland.

Auckland Council’s General Manager Governance and Engagement is confident the council has provided Aucklanders with all the means to get out and vote.

“Vote boxes are located at well-frequented locations such as Auckland libraries, select supermarkets and retailers, major transport stations and university campuses,” says Ms Ballantyne.

“We’ve ramped up the number of vote boxes to make up for the reduction in NZ Post receivers – with more than 50 extra vote boxes than the last election, while ensuring there is a good spread across every local board area.

“With all these locations, we’ve created a map showing all vote boxes and special voting opportunities to help people participate wherever they are,” she says.

“We hope Aucklanders take up this one-in-three-year opportunity to have their say in Auckland’s leadership. It’s a pivotal choice that isn’t available to citizens in every country and here, where we have a choice, it impacts our daily lives – so why wouldn’t you?”

What voting pack?
If you didn’t enrol or update your details in time – or the voting pack did a no-show, you don’t have to miss out! You’ll just need a special vote which is available from select Auckland libraries or head along to a Vote-on-the-Go to enrol and vote on the spot.

Look up your nearest special vote location on the Vote Auckland map.

Need even more reasons to vote?
More than 90 Vote-on-the-Go locations are being rolled out at events and venues such as markets, marae, community events and more to help those without voting papers enrol and vote while they’re out and about.
Make an outing out of it and find your nearest Vote-on-the-Go on Vote Auckland.

So, when is Election Day?
There is no Election Day. Vote NOW before voting closes midday Saturday 11 October. Make use of one of the hundreds of reasons across Auckland, so you don’t miss out.

Read this and other stories on OurAuckland

For the first time at The Sapphire Room Ponsonby Central, Down to Earth Organic Wine Tasting is coming to town!Down to E...
11/09/2025

For the first time at The Sapphire Room Ponsonby Central, Down to Earth Organic Wine Tasting is coming to town!

Down to Earth is a special event series that brings people together in a vibrant atmosphere, to taste and discover delicious organic wines from Aotearoa NZ, while connecting with the passionate producers who pour them. 23 premium NZ wineries will converge for one special night to showcase over 60 certified-organic wines and chat about the importance and quality of organic wine production, as well as its positive impacts on people and the environment.

Down to Earth - Organic Wine Tasting
Tue 16 Sep, 5:30-7:30pm
The Sapphire Room Ponsonby Central

Tickets are selling fast, so don't miss out - - https://www.organicwinenz.com/downtoearth

News from City Vision Clear choice this election: vote City Vision for progressWith voting papers for the 2025 local ele...
08/09/2025

News from City Vision

Clear choice this election: vote City Vision for progress

With voting papers for the 2025 local elections being posted out from today, Aucklanders have a clear choice between candidates who have a positive vision for Auckland and will work to make it reality, and candidates who will hold it back.

Jon Turner, councillor candidate for Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa, says, “City Vision are the team who get things done. We have led the way on supporting better public transport, investing in housing and infrastructure, improving our parks and public spaces, and supporting local community groups. Our C&R opponents are the party of ‘no’. Whether it is improving bus services along Dominion Road, supporting dogs and people to have fun together at Monte Cecilia park, or providing the housing that our communities desperately need, C&R have continued their 70-year tradition of blocking progress for Auckland.”

City Vision candidates across Albert-Eden, Waitematā and Puketāpapa have deep community connections, strong track records of working for the public good, and a well-developed policy programme to restore our natural environment, build an efficient and sustainable transport system, and invest in the services and infrastructure Aucklanders need to thrive. We will fight for safe streets in your neighbourhoods, clean up Auckland’s streams and beaches, and fund parks, libraries and community centres to serve our growing population.

Councillor Julie Fairey, who is running for re-election in Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa, says, “Auckland is still catching up on decades of underinvestment in public transport, storm- and wastewater, and community facilities, due to a lack of future planning and vision from the days when C&R dominated Auckland City Council. If we keep this tired thinking, focused on the past and not the future, we will never overcome this legacy of neglect. We must plan, together, for an Auckland that is affordable to live in, easy to move around, and resilient to climate challenges like flooding and rising temperatures. That’s what City Vision stands for.”

Patrick Reynolds, councillor candidate for Waitematā and Gulf, says, “Auckland deserves better than backwards 20th-century thinking. We’re ambitious for our city. I’ll build the city up rather than running it down, and we’ll get transport, housing and jobs working for all generations.”

Aucklanders also deserve elected leaders who will work hard to represent them. Cr Fairey topped the councillor attendance leaderboard for the 2022–2025 term, despite spending time in hospital with a serious injury. All City Vision candidates pledged when selected to run that they would put in the hours that the role requires: half-time for local board members, and full-time for local board chairs and councillors.

Cr Fairey says, “Local government is there every time you turn the tap, every time you walk to the dairy, every time you swim at the beach. It’s vital that our city, our community and our planet have elected members who understand this and will make wise decisions for the benefit of all. Our candidates are folks who will listen, learn and do the mahi. In giving City Vision your votes, you can be confident that you are getting good people for a great city.”

Mr Reynolds says, “Aucklanders need to urgently get out there and vote. Don’t miss the chance to have your say. If you don’t vote, then others will make major decisions that affect you, your family, and your neighbourhood. To take Auckland forward, vote City Vision.”

08/09/2025

Clear choice this election: vote City Vision for progress

With voting papers for the 2025 local elections being posted out from today, Aucklanders have a clear choice between candidates who have a positive vision for Auckland and will work to make it reality, and candidates who will hold it back.

Jon Turner, councillor candidate for Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa, says, “City Vision are the team who get things done. We have led the way on supporting better public transport, investing in housing and infrastructure, improving our parks and public spaces, and supporting local community groups. Our C&R opponents are the party of ‘no’. Whether it is improving bus services along Dominion Road, supporting dogs and people to have fun together at Monte Cecilia park, or providing the housing that our communities desperately need, C&R have continued their 70-year tradition of blocking progress for Auckland.”

City Vision candidates across Albert-Eden, Waitematā and Puketāpapa have deep community connections, strong track records of working for the public good, and a well-developed policy programme to restore our natural environment, build an efficient and sustainable transport system, and invest in the services and infrastructure Aucklanders need to thrive. We will fight for safe streets in your neighbourhoods, clean up Auckland’s streams and beaches, and fund parks, libraries and community centres to serve our growing population.

Councillor Julie Fairey, who is running for re-election in Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa, says, “Auckland is still catching up on decades of underinvestment in public transport, storm- and wastewater, and community facilities, due to a lack of future planning and vision from the days when C&R dominated Auckland City Council. If we keep this tired thinking, focused on the past and not the future, we will never overcome this legacy of neglect. We must plan, together, for an Auckland that is affordable to live in, easy to move around, and resilient to climate challenges like flooding and rising temperatures. That’s what City Vision stands for.”

Patrick Reynolds, councillor candidate for Waitematā and Gulf, says, “Auckland deserves better than backwards 20th-century thinking. We’re ambitious for our city. I’ll build the city up rather than running it down, and we’ll get transport, housing and jobs working for all generations.”

Aucklanders also deserve elected leaders who will work hard to represent them. Cr Fairey topped the councillor attendance leaderboard for the 2022–2025 term, despite spending time in hospital with a serious injury. All City Vision candidates pledged when selected to run that they would put in the hours that the role requires: half-time for local board members, and full-time for local board chairs and councillors.

Cr Fairey says, “Local government is there every time you turn the tap, every time you walk to the dairy, every time you swim at the beach. It’s vital that our city, our community and our planet have elected members who understand this and will make wise decisions for the benefit of all. Our candidates are folks who will listen, learn and do the mahi. In giving City Vision your votes, you can be confident that you are getting good people for a great city.”

Mr Reynolds says, “Aucklanders need to urgently get out there and vote. Don’t miss the chance to have your say. If you don’t vote, then others will make major decisions that affect you, your family, and your neighbourhood. To take Auckland forward, vote City Vision.”

Local elections: Can Auckland count on you?Voting in Auckland’s local elections is now open. In 2022, voter turnout for ...
08/09/2025

Local elections: Can Auckland count on you?

Voting in Auckland’s local elections is now open.

In 2022, voter turnout for 76–80 year-olds was 62 per cent, nearly three times the 21 percent of 26-35 year-olds who voted. In 2025, Ms Ballantyne would like to see a more diversified voter turnout. Voting in Auckland’s local elections is now open.

Voting papers are being sent to enrolled voters between 9-22 September so they can choose Auckland’s champions.

This means in October, Tāmaki Makaurau gets a newly elected set of leaders to make decisions on important matters like regional and local budgets, public transport, infrastructure, rubbish collections, climate resilience and so much more.

Auckland Council’s General Manager Governance and Engagement Lou-Ann Ballantyne wants Aucklanders to take their voting opportunity seriously.

“It’s a big job for those who’ve put up their hand up to represent you and your community as mayor, ward councillors and local board members. But it’s an even more critical job for you as voters to have your say in who should take on these important decision-making roles on your behalf,” says Ms Ballantyne.

“The local board members you choose will decide on things that impact your daily life – so they could be pretty important to you over the next three years,” she adds.

“They make decisions on local priorities and management of local assets, services and facilities, such as libraries’ operating hours, community grants, public use of land, pools and leisure, local infrastructure, parks, sports fields and plenty more.

“You’ll also get to choose the mayor, along with ward councillors who represent Auckland’s 13 ward areas and set the region’s vision and direction, making major decisions for Aucklanders.”

So, who will you pick to be your voice and represent your priorities for Tāmaki Makaurau in these local elections?

Because if not you, then someone else will decide who calls the shots for Auckland.

In 2022, 62 per cent of voter turnout was from 76–80 year-olds, and in 2025, Ms Ballantyne would like to see a more diversified voter turnout.

“Every election, we really try to lower the barriers to voting. This is especially important this election when we have more uptake from candidates, so we’ve made it super simple for voters to check out information on candidates with the candidate catalogue,” she says.

“The feedback about the catalogue so far has been really positive. Voters are enjoying the user-friendly online tool to check out who their local candidates are."

Find out which board and ward area your address is classified in, who is standing and what their priorities are for your area by browsing through the candidate catalogue at voteauckland.co.nz/candidates

No papers? No problem. Visit voteauckland.co.nz for how to cast a special vote.

For additional information about candidates, look up their profiles at voteauckland.co.nz/candidates

Voting closes midday, Saturday 11 October.

How will results be revealed?
As soon as votes start arriving, a daily count will be published on the Vote Auckland website.

The total number of votes returned as at Friday 10 October (the day before voting closes) will be provisionally announced on Saturday 11 October, from 3pm.

On Monday 13 October, preliminary results, which include Saturday’s returned votes will be published. And by Friday 17 October, final results will be declared.
Read this and other stories on OurAuckland


Browse the candidates in your area and find out what they plan to do if elected this October.

08/09/2025

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: SUPPORT LOCAL

Tonight we went to get some fish and chips from Newton Fish and Chippery which has been in Auckland for 23 years run by the same couple.

The lady told me that because of the roadworks on Great North Road they have experienced the worst three months for business in all of their years, even when compared to Covid.

They approached the council who said their concern was the safety of the public. I just wanted to give them a shout out as they do a good job and would be awful if they didn't survive, thanks.

Clare McIntosh

My study in my new apartment has a wall of certicates relating to Jay and myself - included are our Concorde flight cert...
04/09/2025

My study in my new apartment has a wall of certicates relating to Jay and myself - included are our Concorde flight certificates with flights on British Airways to Barbados – (thanks to Aunty Joy who worked for BA for over 50 years – we travelled standby on her staff travel perks) - and back to Heathrow ...We also flew the Air France Concorde from Paris to NYC (JFK) and back to CDG....

In pride of place on our wall are our REiki certifcates - Jay has completed the 1st part and I've done both part 1 and two.

Speaking of Jay we’ve included his NZ Citizenship certificate – he is very proud of this.

Then there's a caricature of me from the dinner and masterclass I hosted and ran back in London in 1997, it included a dinner for the ENTERPRISE magazine entrepreneurs’ top 100 UK awards . There were 1,000 people at my event and I had Ian Hislop from Private Eye as my after dinner speaker. To my right I sat next to Patricia Hewitt, who was the Minister for Enterprise and small business in Tony Blair’s cabinet.

Who could forget the photo of Jack and tiger, our two gorgeous scotties – they watch over me whle I do my work and finally there is a portait of my wonderful dad.

I am so proud of Ginger who was photographed wearing his medals. One thing he remembered vividly was when the British Navy ship he was on was torpedoed and the blast blew him into the freezing cold waters of the Alantic. Thankfully my dad survived. He passed away in 2017, but I always say good night to him just before i go to sleep.

Our September issue of Ponsonby News has just been published, and you can take a look right now. Just click the link to ...
03/09/2025

Our September issue of Ponsonby News has just been published, and you can take a look right now. Just click the link to view. As always we welcome letters to the Editor.



Ponsonby? Anyone not heard of us? We are Auckland's most talked about part of town.

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