The country's most valuable state house sits on a large plot of land that cannot be subdivided because it is in one of Auckland's sought-after heritage areas The state house is a 1900s villa on a leafy street in the inner city suburb of Ponsonby and is worth close to $4 million It is a neighbourhood associated with celebrities from sailors to pop stars - last year Lorde sold her luxury villa next door for $4.3m Auckland Council records show the state house is on 619 square metres of land and is subject to hefty development restrictions because it is in both a special character area and historic heritage area That means the land could not be subdivided and any changes to the villa would need council permission Data from Corelogic shows the five most valuable single dwelling homes in Kāinga Ora's portfolio are all worth more than $3.5m Building projects that would create more than 1000 state homes are on hold while Kāinga Ora reviews its portfolio The agency also intends to sell about 900 homes nationally over the next 12-18 months - currently 49 state homes are on the market The money generated by selling off those properties would then be reinvested in more affordable areas The woman living in the country's most valuable state house this week told RNZ it should be sold in part because she feels increasingly out of place in the upmarket suburb finance and policy Gareth Stiven said none of the five most valuable state homes were for sale or had development plans "Like other high value properties in our portfolio these five homes could be sold further down the track Our current national divestment programme has just begun so assessing homes that will be sold is an ongoing process." All five of the most valuable state homes are in Auckland and all but one could be subdivided according to council planning rules is worth $3.7m and the 4626 square metre land has no significant development constraints is worth $3.5m and is on 2904 square metres of land that could be developed into up to 20 homes could potentially be subdivided into four units Corelogic head of research Nick Goodall earlier said the properties' values were tied up in large plots of land "It shows that you could probably build multiple units on that block of land to get better use and more people living in that area which would be well in demand from people wanting to live there to be closer to town." Goodall believed Kāinga Ora should be considering the future of all five of its most valuable properties "There's probably lots of potential development all across Auckland You would expect that these would be ones that would be on the list to look at." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday The woman living in the country's most valuable state house says it should be sold Newly released documents show building has been paused on 690 KiwiBuild homes and 593 market homes The Housing Minister says the government is looking into the sale of about 200 Kāinga Ora homes By Amy Williams for RNZ The woman living in the country’s most valuable state house says it should be sold, as Kāinga Ora plans to put hundreds of homes on the market The state house is on a leafy street in Auckland‘s inner city suburb of Ponsonby and is worth close to $4 million Shortly after Anita Jones moved into the four-bedroom state house in 2016, she learned Lorde had bought the house next door – the pop star sold the luxury villa for $4.3m last year. Jones said the neighbourhood has been a good place to bring up her four children, two of whom have since left home. “I feel privileged being in it. It’s very peaceful, I can say that, there’s no drama. It’s pretty safe I can say, really safe around here.” Data from Corelogic shows the villa is the most valuable single dwelling in Kāinga Ora’s portfolio – at $3.9m. “It’s actually quite a big property, well I reckon it is and I’m actually looking at transfering so they can have the house for a bigger family because it’s only the three of us and it’s quite big for us,” Jones said. “My thoughts would be I reckon they should sell it.” Building projects that would create more than 1000 state homes are on hold while Kāinga Ora reviews its portfolio, with decisions expected from July. It also intends to sell about 900 homes nationally over the next 12-18 months – currently 49 state homes are on the market of which 32 are in Auckland. A nearby neighbour of the most valuable state house, who wished to remain anonymous, said it does not make financial sense for the state agency to keep the Ponsonby house. “I think it probably should be sold because it’s worth three or four million so you could probably build a lot more for that.” Kāinga Ora said it does not have plans to develop any of its five most valuable houses, and they are not for sale. All are in Auckland and each are worth more than $3.5m, according to CoreLogic. CoreLogic head of research Nick Goodall said the properties’ values were tied up in large plots of land. “It shows that you could probably build multiple units on that block of land to get better use and more people living in that area which would be well in demand from people wanting to live there to be closer to town.” Goodall believed Kāinga Ora should be considering the future of all five of its most valuable properties. “There’s probably lots of potential development all across Auckland. You would expect that these would be ones that would be on the list to look at.” Kāinga Ora general manager for strategy, finance and policy Gareth Stiven said the planned sale of 900 state homes represented about 1% of its current portfolio. “These homes will be in regions across the country. Decisions to sell specific sites will be ongoing, and at any one time there will be properties at various stages of the process.” He said tenants would be offered another Kāinga Ora home, suited to their needs.  “Money from the sale of existing Kāinga Ora properties will be reinvested into our housing portfolio, so we can deliver new, fit-for-purpose homes that are the right size and in the right location.”  Stiven said in the next financial year, the agency estimates $400-$500m from house sales would be redirected toward new replacement homes. “It’s also important to note we are not reducing the number of Kāinga Ora homes. For each existing Kāinga Ora home sold, a newly built home is delivered elsewhere.” In Ponsonby, the median value of a house is $2.4m, while a flat or unit is about the $1m mark. Jones said she was ready to move out of the area. “It’s actually not affordable, especially in the area. Ponsonby, it’s not actually suited for low income families. It’s nice to be close to the city, but income it’s not affordable.” She said she recently asked to transfer to another house in Auckland, partly because her family felt increasingly out of place in the upmarket suburb. “Because I’m actually ready to move along, there’s been a lot of stuff happening inside the house and my family and we’ve kind of caused a bit of riff-raff on the street so I think it’s time for us to move.” The only high-reach ladder truck in Auckland broke down last night. My Vaccine Pass requirements have not been set for this event Keshia is inspired by R&B, Soul and Jazz. Born in South Africa and living in New Zealand, Keshia is an incredibly talented, soulful artist. Her effervescent energy and vivacious confidence light up the stage. Keshia and her band will bring a mix of originals and tasty soulful covers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ponsonby Road Bistro (@ponsonbyroadbistro) Blair Russell has announced his Ponsonby Rd restaurant is closing after 18 years Ponsonby Road Bistro’s owner Blair Russell told the Herald he has loved the more than two decades he has spent providing hospitality on Ponsonby Road Ponsonby has been very good to us,” says Russell but [wife and business partner] Gina and I are closing as we want to take on some new challenges.” The pair then opened Magnum, which morphed into Ponsonby Road Bistro in 2007 When Wallbank moved on to other establishments in 2011 Wallbank opened The Blue Breeze Inn at Ponsonby Central in 2013 Russell says he and Gina will be taking time to chill a little this year and are working on some new business ideas outside of hospitality to launch next year Ponsonby Road Bistro will have its last dinner service on May 3 the Russells thanked all their “wonderful customers and the incredible staff who’ve brought their own magic to our restaurant” They said the last dinner service will be on May 3 and they will honour all outstanding vouchers up to this date saying their time at the restaurant has been “an unforgettable ride” Earlier this month, Sid and Chand Sahrawat announced they were closing their restaurant Kol “The past few months have been tough,” they said in a statement “and while we’ve made the decision to close we’re glad we tried – you never know if an idea will succeed unless you try.” Kol will host its last dinner service on Mother’s Day The owners plan to set up a “hospitality incubator” in the Kol premises to help new ventures test the market before launching out on their own In July last year, one of Auckland’s most famous restaurants, SPQR, was placed in liquidation. That same month, Chapel Bar & Bistro, also in Ponsonby, was placed in receivership after it failed to repay a loan to its co-owner worth hundreds of thousands of dollars “There’s a lot of reasons why we’ve made this decision,” Michael Dearth told the Herald’s Shayne Currie “It’s definitely been floating around because it’s been such a fight – from the pandemic to so much uncertainty [with the] global financial crisis and extreme weather events where suddenly vegetables cost more than protein.” In February, Britomart’s Bar Non Solo and MoVida announced they were closing with the owners wanting to explore new opportunities In March, popular Auckland eatery Monsoon Poon revealed it is set to close after 20 years in business the same day as Ponsonby Road Bistro will shut its doors for the last time Owner Nicola Richards announced the news with “mixed emotions” and said the closure came in the wake of the building on the corner of Custom St West and Lower Hobson St in downtown Auckland being sold and set for demolition Madame George and Pilkingtons Restaurant and Bar also closed SPQR reopened in March under new owners, hospitality business sisters Jessica and Bronwyn Payne, and a new name – Jacuzzi 'The team have nailed it – it’s a strategy that everyone can understand.' as Kāinga Ora plans to put hundreds of homes on the market See terms of use for easy access to all your favourite programmes Viva la Familia is a Latino party raising money for a good cause Join us at the Ponsonby Social Club for an unforgettable night of dancing delicious Colombian street eats and great vibes Marjorie Sinclair (Brazil) will be kicking off the party in style Mariachi NZ will get everyone up and dancing and DJ Brandon will transport us straight to the tropical heat of Colombian nightclubs Great prizes are up for grabs in our silent auction and all proceeds from the night will go towards reuniting one Colombian/Kiwi family bringing out William's mum Icha from Colombia for the birth of Laura and William's first child A Ponsonby chief executive charged over an alleged road rage attack involving a sight-impaired pensioner and a $430,000 supercar is travelling abroad and unavailable to give evidence — delaying his co-accused’s trial The wealthy businessman, in his 30s, was supposed to be the Crown’s key witness yesterday when the elderly man who is jointly charged with fighting in public arrived for his day in court But it emerged the chief executive was travelling overseas meaning the 74-year-old’s judge-alone trial could not proceed The court action stems from an incident in August last year on the Northern Motorway involving the two men The pensioner claims he was tailgated by the younger man’s luxury vehicle before being attacked when he pulled over on Highgate Parkway near Silverdale He claims he was repeatedly punched and kicked about the head and upper body and that he continues to undergo concussion treatment and suffers PTSD as a result of the attack the chief executive says it was he who was attacked by the pensioner and that “there’s the possibility that I suffered injuries” Both men were charged with fighting in a public place while the chief executive — who has interim name suppression — was also charged with dangerous driving He will defend the charges at trial later this year The pensioner and his family were in court yesterday for the start of his scheduled trial After it emerged the chief executive was not in the country Teppett argued that while the chief executive had been interviewed by police about the altercation there was no formal witness statement and no evidence to prove the charge against his client “No transcript of the interview has been provided [to the defence] which is another failure of the police in terms of providing disclosure.” Teppett said the prosecution was required to show it had enough evidence to support the basis of a charge The court could dismiss a charge if it was satisfied there was no case to answer “There is not sufficient evidence for the prosecution to prove their case.” police prosecutor Sergeant James Gallagher said it was “premature” to dismiss the pensioner’s charge “at this stage” Providing a transcript of the interview was “a courtesy He instead sought an adjournment until the chief executive was back in the country and available to give evidence in person While the chief executive was unavailable yesterday his interview did constitute a formal statement forthe trial “Mr [suppressed] was going to be called to give evidence about what happened that day A Justice of the Peace granted the adjournment until the trial could proceed later this year An order was also made suppressing the chief executive’s name until his trial The chief executive — who claims he is not that wealthy has a mortgage on his $2 million home and finance on his car — has argued he would suffer extreme hardship if he was identified in connection with the case He claims his business would suffer adverse financial consequences and lose international supply contracts a judge told the man the case was of “prurient” public interest because of the expensive vehicle he was driving that day “The public who cannot afford such vehicles inevitably have a rather prurient interest in seeing people who have such vehicles” brought before the courts Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday. Caption:Sid and Chand outside KOL upon its opening in 2022.Photo credit:Josh GriggsAn Auckland restaurant operated by prominent restaurateurs Sid and Chand Sahrawat will close in May Tandoor-inspired eatery KOL opened on Ponsonby Rd in 2022 and will host its last dinner service on Mother's Day "We've known for a couple of months that we weren't rating as well as we should have and the costs were piling up we could see the concept wasn't viable," Chand Sahrawat told RNZ after revealing the closure on social media The decision to close was somewhat sudden - the couple were hoping to turn things around "A couple of weeks ago we actually made some changes But when you look at the last couple of months it just wasn't stacking up," she said has been home to countless short-lived restaurants over the years But Sahrawat denied the location was an issue "I really don't think the location has as much to do with it as the concept When we first started KOL we were really busy for the first 8 to 10 months," she said "I think the right concept can work there KOL's launch in 2022 followed an extensive the Sahrawats have no intention of selling the property KOL will become an "incubator" for future talent with the couple inviting applications from prospective business partners to use the space for a new restaurant "If we can help someone with a great idea come forward We're happy to do that," Sahrawat said obviously we'd expect them to help with the rent.. branding and there'd be mentorship from Sid and I." After selling their first restaurant, Sidart (named Auckland's best in 2019) "I think we're at the stage where we think two might be the sweet spot for us and we'd rather mentor and help others in the industry," Sahrawat said "We originally had an angel investor in our first business and had it not been for his support we would not have taken that leap We'd like to do that for someone else in the industry." Applicants would be assessed by a panel of experts including restaurateur Al Brown Cuisine magazine editor Kelli Brett and Restaurant Association head Marisa Bidois in Three Lamps on Ponsonby Rd in 2009 after Sid left his role at The Grove Then came Cassia in 2014 - a bustling modern Indian restaurant down a back alley in Central Auckland The original site was ravaged by Auckland flood waters in 2023 and relocated to Sky City where it remains In 2018 the Sahrawats took over the sophisticated French Cafe from long-time owners Simon and Creghan Molloy-Wright. Alongside the Eden Terrace eatery sits Anise It was a date with Chand at The French Café in the early 2000s that kicked off the couple's now iconic Auckland hospitality story and that's where I decided to get into fine dining and started working in restaurants developing my own style," Sid told RNZ in 2024 He has suggested he's eager to expand Cassia overseas "I feel like it's something that could be quite cool in Singapore or Dubai to show a little bit of our style to another part of the world," he said More from FoodHow to eat the whole animal, from the brains to the kneesSticking to prime cuts of meat means missing out on a buffet of delicious flavour and texture say offal fans. A clash between two food influencers over a caramel slice and a baklava recipe highlights the grey area of recipe ownership. Why order sub-par takeaways when you can get this rich curry on the table in an hour? "Complex, waxy, balanced with a beautiful ivory paste. Delicious. Favourite of the day," judges said about Whitestone Cheese Co's sheep milk cheddar. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chand Sahrawat (@hospomum) The hospitality stalwarts say although the tandoor-inspired restaurant was initially a very busy viable business, circumstances have changed and while we’ve made the decision to close we’re glad we tried – you never know if an idea will succeed unless you try,” Sid Sahrawat said today KOL will host its last dinner service on Mother’s Day who opened the casual bar and eatery in 2022 called the decision to close a “tough” one but plan to focus on their other businesses – including Cassia which they run in partnership with SkyCity and their Cassia at Home range of curry sauces But they aren’t quitting Ponsonby Rd entirely They plan to set up a hospitality incubator in the KOL premises to help new ventures test the market before launching out on their own The Sahrawats are inviting inquiries from hospitality professionals interested in taking over the space – offering a zero-lease commitment use of the fit-out and chattels and mentorship from the couple and Restaurant Association “We feel the space has potential and would suit other concepts,” Sahrawat explained “Rather than try our hand at something unfamiliar we’d prefer to give an opportunity to someone else to discover if their idea will translate in the real world and be profitable while helping them learn the ropes of launching and running a hospitality business.” Explaining how the new incubator will work Chand Sahrawat said: “The new operator will keep 100% of their profits they just pay rent and cover their staffing and production costs” A panel of experts including head of the Restaurant Association Marisa Bidois restaurateur and media personality Al Brown and owner and editor of Cuisine magazine Kelli Brett will assess applications alongside the Sahrawats Applications are open now on the KOL website In 2018 the Sahrawats bought The French Cafe in Eden Terrace, rebranding it to Sid at The French Cafe before last year transitioning the business to Anise The serial restaurateurs started Ponsonby-based fine-dining restaurant Sidart in 2009 who had been the head chef of Sid at The French Cafe KOL is the latest in a series of Auckland hospitality businesses falling prey to the weak economy In July last year, one of Auckland’s most famous restaurants, SPQR, was placed in liquidation. That same month, Chapel Bar & Bistro, also in Ponsonby, was placed in receivership after it failed to repay a loan to its co-owner worth hundreds of thousands of dollars Sophie-Maude is due to release a new single 'Lost my love' with emerging Christchurch artist Sophie-Maude is happy to announce a show at Ponsonby Social Club on Friday Sophie-Maude is an emerging pop artist from Tauranga who is making music that is driven by a desire to motivate Sophie-Maude combines various unique and experimental sounds resulting in R&B and pop-centred fusions that are still firmly stitched together by emotive undertones and Sabrina Carpenter are the pivotal influences in her music Her released songs and features have accrued more than 200,000 streams and have been added to several high profile playlists such as Pop ‘n Fresh ZM’s daily radio playlist and most recently the Air NZ Runway Tracks and her single 'Vertigo' reached number 1 in the NZ Hot New Single chart and number 12 in the Top 40 New Zealand charts Sophie-Maude's live performance is supported by her band: • Nic Martin - Drummer (Member of Devilskin) KENZY is an emerging indie pop artist from Auckland crafting infectious melodies and candid songwriting that evoke nostalgia and self-reflection to the Ponsonby Social Club stage—marking the start of a new era in her artistic journey captivating listeners with raw storytelling expanding her audience and refining her sound for both the stage and headphones worldwide Lily Stiven is a 17-year-old singer-songwriter from Whangaparāoa She has released a single each year through the Play it Strange trust and is currently working on a debut project that she aims to begin releasing in the second half of 2025 She has 2 music videos out aswell and with many projects in the works Lily is forever evolving and growing as an artist and will be worth keeping an eye on World-famous on Waiheke 10-piece Radio Rebelde is sailing to Auckland to play at the mythical Ponsonby Social Club Reggae and Punk masterfully blended with Latin American Cumbia grooves Ten musos from around the world on stage (including musicians from Argentina Get ready to dance your socks of packed in a sardine can The thing Radio Rebelde is famed for is making people dance An Auckland restaurant under investigation after diners became so ill some reportedly had to call an ambulance has had its food safety rating demoted from “A” to “D” The National Public Health Service has confirmed a norovirus outbreak associated with Taiko restaurant in Ponsonby New Zealand Food Safety says such outbreaks in food service businesses are typically related to an “infected food handler” Auckland Council told the Herald the rating at the Japanese restaurant was changed after a recent visit by the council alongside Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) “Taiko was issued with a notice which will be reflected with a change in grade to a D “For procedural reasons we are unable to share details around the reasons for the D grade at present.” The rating drop comes after 12 one-star reviews referencing food poisoning were put on the restaurant’s Google page in the past four days said her family became unwell after they dined at Taiko Ponsonby on January 28 while celebrating the Lunar New Year “A few other customers had to call the ambulance for help.” She reported the issues to the restaurant but described the response as “very disappointing” and are only offering a discount for the next purchase at Taiko which from this incident we will never go again and have refused to offer any compensation for loss or damages suffered.” She believed the response showed a disregard for the health of Taiko’s customers One Google reviewer claimed they “paid $115 for poison” at the restaurant “My partner has already reported this problem and I am so angry that I am writing this Another reviewer said they had “severe food poisoning” after dining on January 28 “Has lasted the entire week and still not recovered fully New Zealand Food Safety’s (NZFS) deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle confirmed it had been informed of a norovirus outbreak associated with Taiko Ponsonby by the National Public Health Service Food safety officers have been on site at the restaurant,” Arbuckle said it will be determined what happened and we will put in place any corrective actions National Public Health Service medical officer of health said it was notified of a gastroenteritis outbreak linked to a central Auckland restaurant “Twenty-two people have reported symptoms to-date all of whom visited the restaurant between 26th and 28th January The cause of the illness has been identified as norovirus infection,” Harrower said “Norovirus is an infectious disease that causes vomiting and diarrhoea People usually get symptoms one to two days after being infected with the virus and these typically last two to three days “You can catch norovirus by eating contaminated food or water You can also catch it by breathing in droplets from a person who has vomited.” Harrower said norovirus sufferers were usually infectious until three days after symptoms stop Good hand hygiene was important to reduce the risk of spreading the virus “Most people with norovirus can recover safely at home If you have symptoms be sure to rest and drink plenty of fluids “You should see your healthcare provider if you have bloody diarrhoea or a fever or if your symptoms have not gone away after seven days You can also call Healthline on 0800 611 116.” Taiko Ponsonby said it was “fully co-operating” with ongoing investigations being conducted by NZFS “As the investigation is still in progress we will not be making any statements or providing any reports until the official findings are released.” When the Herald called the eatery’s spokesman on Tuesday about the demoted food safety rating Asked if the restaurant would apologise to affected customers The spokesman offered a similar response when asked if affected customers would receive compensation “I don’t want to continue this type of fruitless dialogue,” the man said before hanging up Auckland Council said the new rating would be visible on its website tomorrow its website shows the restaurant has an “A” food grade rating Auckland Council said the restaurant was last verified on January 23 and the council has received no prior complaints about Taiko Jaime Lyth is a multimedia journalist for the New Zealand Herald focusing on crime and breaking news Lyth began working under the Herald masthead in 2021 as a reporter for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei Benjamin Plummer is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news The only high-reach ladder truck in Auckland broke down last night Take a stroll with charismatic Samoan street historian Reverend Mua Strickson-Pua along Ponsonby Road and discover the Pacific urban history and stories of Ponsonby © Auckland Council 2025 All rights reserved For more information on what data is contained in the cookies please click the 'Find out more on the Auckland Council website' button Sign up for our e-newsletter and be the first to know about exciting events and news A Ponsonby CEO has appeared in North Shore District Court in connection with an alleged road rage incident involving a pensioner The 36-year-old pleaded not guilty to fighting in a public place and dangerous driving A Ponsonby chief executive accused of bashing a pensioner in an alleged road rage incident involving a $430,000 supercar says he is not that wealthy, has finance to pay on his car, and is suffering severe stress at the prospect of being publicly identified The 36-year-old is jointly charged with fighting in public over a physical altercation with the sight- and hearing-impaired 74-year-old in August near Silverdale The incident allegedly left the retiree with concussion symptoms Both men deny wrongdoing and plan to defend the charges at trial The Herald has obtained a copy of a sworn affidavit filed by the CEO last week as part of an application to suppress his name who is also charged with dangerous driving wrote he would face “financial ruin” if his name was published by media He claimed the company he founded relied on several major international supply contracts which might be cancelled if his identity was linked to the alleged offending “as it may bring their businesses into disrepute” The man said he had built his company up from nothing and had no other qualifications or experience “I worry about my future if my reputation were to suffer.” Despite the Herald offering the man multiple opportunities to outline his version of events he claimed the incident that led to his arrest had been inaccurately portrayed in the media “The physical altercation that occurred was not at all as described “The media has depicted me as a horrible person someone that could beat up an elderly man.” The company director - who co-owns his $2 million central Auckland property with his father - also claimed he was not as wealthy as people might think “The media has perceived my wealth to be a lot greater than it is He reiterated that publication of his identity could cause “significant reputational and financial damage” to his company he claimed that being charged over the incident had affected his mental and physical health “I have been under great stress and have struggled to sleep “I have seen the comments online and the obvious hatred towards the younger unnamed person in relation to these charges “I have been worried about going outside in public because of the way in which the media has spun the events.” His affidavit asked the judge to suppress his name to protect his reputation “I have a mortgage and I worry that I will be unable to pay my mortgage as a consequence of financial damage that would likely incur if non-publication were not ordered.” At a hearing on Friday in North Shore District Court the man’s lawyer Guyon Foley asked Judge Tony Couch to grant an interim suppression order until at least May next year arguing his client would otherwise suffer “extreme hardship” arguing there was public interest in the man being identified but warned the man’s arguments for suppression “just the judge said that what had caught the public’s attention in this case “is the car that you were driving” he warned the defendant the order was by no means permanent The judge also gave Foley a ticking-off for only handing up a copy of his client’s suppression application and sworn affidavit on the morning of the hearing preventing the media from naming the defendant or his company and the matter set down for a judge-alone trial next year The charges relate to an incident on the Northern Motorway The pensioner claims he was attacked on the roadside at Highgate Parkway after being “tailgated” by the businessman’s 2019 luxury vehicle the pensioner said he was driving north on SH1 when he noticed the sports car “up my bum” and trying to overtake The man claimed the sports car then cut to his left-hand side I did give him the one-finger salute,” the man wrote the sports car allegedly pulled in front of the elderly man’s Kia and slowed to about 60km/h He then felt a “bump” as the two vehicles collided The pensioner said he walked towards the sports car when the driver allegedly “charged at me” and “started to punch me left and right blows to the head” The driver allegedly pulled the older man’s sweatshirt over his head and threw him to the ground “where he continued to rain down blows on my head and body” Both men filed police reports following the incident blaming the other for the violent altercation The pensioner’s family say they were stunned the retired mechanic was charged and would defend the matter at trial The CEO told the Herald the pensioner was the one at fault “I was assaulted by this gentleman,” he alleged “there’s the possibility that I suffered injuries.” He declined to comment further after speaking to his lawyer Lane Nichols is deputy head of news and a senior journalist for the New Zealand Herald with more than 20 years’ experience in the industry Sign up to The Daily H a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday Tāmaki Makaurau*EARLY SHOW* 8PM - 10.30PMTo celebrate the release of his new EP Diverging Lines Geoff Ong is bringing his full band to Ponsonby Social Club for a special one-night-only show and a room full of voices singing along.Opening the night is Valere the musical project of award-winning songwriter Shana Graham With her latest EP Gold Dust earning praise from Rolling Stone AUS/NZ Valere brings an intimate and soulful presence to the stage making her the perfect complement to the night.Geoff and the band will be performing the Diverging Lines EP in its entirety for the very first time this is a Premium article and requires a subscription to read Rodd & Gunn's The Lodge Bar on Queenstown's lakefront Plans for the new Ponsonby store are also by Studio Y which designed this fit out Menswear retailer Rodd & Gunn is having a bar, restaurant and outdoor dining terrace built within a new store at a $150 million under-construction Ponsonby Rd development. “Rodd & Gunn is set to unveil its New Zealand flagship in Ponsonby redefining retail and hospitality with a stunning 460sqm space at the corner of Pompallier Tce and Ponsonby Rd,” Beagley said today Melbourne interior specialists Studio Y designed the fit out having worked on other new outlets including Rodd & Gunn The Lodge Lake Wakatipu headed by CEO Mike Beagley who is Josh’s father also has The Lodge at Commercial Bay in downtown Auckland so the Ponsonby store will be its third in New Zealand Josh Beagley said the store design would maximise views an elegant and striking dining room and a grand outdoor terrace with elevated views across Ponsonby and out to Cox’s Bay.” A commercial kitchen with wood-burning ovens and grills would see executive chef Matt Lambert showcase skills using New Zealand produce Pompallier on Ponsonby is rising in a corner site at 286-304 Ponsonby Rd with CMP Construction working for Urban Collective and development director Kelly McEwan The Herald’s Kim Knight reviewed The Lodge at Commercial Bay in 2020 asking: “How does a fashion label worn by environmental scientists and the engineering student offspring of high-country farmers pivot to kale?” a dividing wall between the chinos and the chicken finding the venue “absolutely nails its customer service” McEwan said today it had been a particularly difficult time to lease space within the $150m project which is near the Jervois Rd/College Hill Rd intersection Jeff Fearon said most of the heritage building on the Ponsonby Rd/Cowan St corner would be retained and incorporated into the new construction CMP Construction began work on the site just before Christmas The site has three street frontages: Ponsonby Rd opposite Renall St Andrew Moore of CMP said he had been working on the project for almost five years “It’s great to be able to finally get it started it takes a lot of effort to get a project live,” he said referring to bank funding The first stage was one building but two further buildings are planned on the block A Liebherr Hammerhead tower crane with a 60m boom would be erected later next month three diggers and a crawler crane were already active there Ponsonby was one of the highest points on the Auckland CBD skyline so the project would be prominent CMP will drill 236 piles from the current street level The historic corner building would be partially retained but extended vertically and horizontally and have a new structure built within half its existing facade workers have continued through the Christmas break which has given the project a good head start.” Three banks and funders loaned on the development and sales had been strong Anne Gibson has been the Herald’s property editor for 24 years written books and covered property extensively here and overseas The casino operator has downgraded its earnings guidance for the second time Groovadelica returns for a soulful summer session in the open air courtyard of Ponsonby Social Club Featuring live music from new Future Funk artist & keyboard don Soul Prophet with support from word-class soul singers & musicians Jess Matthews Michellka & Molee Lauitiiti.Back in the day Groovadelica's vibrant and eclectic club events regularly featured Aotearoa's best soulful DJ's & live musicians playing an uplifting Hip-Hop & African influenced rhythms.Come celebrate Groovadelica's return along with the vinyl release of Soul Prophet's gorgeous new single “Back To Dilla (featuring Omar)” with with live vocals from Jess Matthews Thomas Stowers & special guests.DJ’s Jason Eli Dan Solar & Kaia will be spinning Neo Soul Jazz & all that good stuff.Make sure you check out the authentic Nigerian street food by B'Buka.Soul Prophet Info----------Keyboard wizz & producer Soul Prophet is laser-focused on creating hi-quality thought-provoking tunes that contribute to the evolution of black music His harmonically sophisticated sound is deep featuring some of NZ's top musicians & singers.Thomas Stowers Info-------Thomas Stowers has a voice to die for home grown vibe has blown away judges on The Voice Australia featured on releases by top R&B groups and graced concert stages all over the world.Jess Matthews Info---------Former member of R&B/Soul group The Hypnotics Jess Matthews has one of the most buttery soulful voices in the country DJ info -----------UK born Jason Eli has toured with & played alongside many of Soul/Disco/House/Dance music's long term legends including Norman Jay Jason's Groovadelica radio show on George FM reached a wide audience and helped launch the Groovadelica record label & event Dan Solar is a pioneer of underground dance music in New Zealand He's held residencies at many iconic nightclubs From opening one of Aucklands first dance music record stores in the 90’s touring with top UK DJs and playing clubs in London to holding down his radio show on George FM for over 8 years Dan has built a reputation for delivering sophisticated high-energy DJ sets that channel the deep legacy of dance music while pushing the boundaries of House and more.Get a discount if you pay with crypto (e-mail info@groovadelica.com for crypto payment details)Monero : 0.085 XMRBitcoin Cash : 0.035 BCHMerch & vinyl will be available on the day or get advance vinyl VIP ticket to get your vinyl copy of Back To Dilla (featuring Omar) at a discount price.Click below to hear Soul Prophet's new single - Back To Dilla (featuring Omar) Dan Solar's latest DJ mix and music from Thomas Stowers & Jess Matthews Ponsonby Social Club is celebrating its 17th Birthday with a party not to be missed.Bringing some of this iconic venue friends and regular DJs .Feat Haz & Miloux LiveDJs Gel Bobby Brazuka & Grantis Friday April 4th 2025 The name for the highly-anticipated replacement of legendary Auckland restaurant SPQR has finally been revealed The Ponsonby establishment closed its doors to diners on July 12 this year after 32 years have revealed the new name on social media: Jacuzzi “Jacuzzi presents a truly rare opportunity for hospitality that artfully infuses a range of inspirations from SPQR’s vibrant past travels around Europe and a sprinkling of disco fabulousness,” a post on the new restaurant’s website read Its Instagram called Jacuzzi “an immersive journey that stimulates the senses and elevates occasions” Jacuzzi is calling for staff with all levels of experience “Our collective job is to revive a cultural icon and fill it with excellence and our open invitation is for you to be a part of delivering this experience,” it said on its site The Payne sisters took on the restaurant at the end of August adding to their hospitality collection which includes Ponsonby’s Elmo’s and Hopper’s Garden Bar A press release announcing their takeover said the site “has been given a new lease of life having been purchased by two of the suburb’s hottest hospitality stars” It said they are “set to bring sophistication theatricality into new genres of inner-city escapism” “Our mission is to bring some of the sophisticated creative freedom of European nightlife and turn it into a feast for the senses for locals and visitors to enjoy,” Jessica told Society Insider 31 have been in the industry together for more than a decade Jessica opened The Pizza Library on Mt Maunganui’s Rata St back in 2012 the sisters were guest judges on My Kitchen Rules New Zealand The release said: “Having grown up in the industry the passionate pair is well-equipped to take on the challenge that is creating something new and vibrant in the space – as well as honouring the legacy of what has gone before.” as “much-needed renovations” take place and there will be “some incredible surprises on opening day” “SPQR regulars can rest assured that the renowned copper bar danced upon by so many over the years will remain in place.” Jacuzzi is set at this stage to open next year in January Miriam McCombe is a singer & songwriter originally from Somerset She's performed around Tāmaki Makaurau for the last 5 years releasing her self-produced EP 'Weightless' in 2023 Miriam will perform her music with a full band made up of friends and local indie music legends Tom Dennison https://michael-howell.bandcamp.com/album/sunlap-28 Bastion of Tāmaki Makaurau's inner city nightlife for close to two decades Ponsonby Social Club are toasting their 17th Birthday with a lineup of local greats this coming Friday The birthday bill stars Tūī Award winning duo Haz & Miloux performing live Bobby Brazuka and Grantis spinning tunes late into the night Show your love for the Ponsonby Social Club team and look forward to even more musical magnificence at the iconic venue in the near future Upcoming events include Geoff Ong's Diverging Lines EP release show Latino music and food celebration Viva La Familia UPDATE: This birthday event is now entirely FREE Hit play on Haz & Miloux's new video for 'Tiger Would' The Ponsonby Rugby Club has teamed up with two music promoters to challenge former All Black Ali Williams and his entrepreneur wife, Anna Mowbray, to develop stadium facilities at Western Springs With backing from NBA star Steven Adams, Williams and Mowbray plan to build a new 12,500-seat sports stadium at the venue. The facility would include community sports facilities, a hospitality concourse and live entertainment facilities The two rival bids have been presented to Auckland councillors at separate confidential workshops in the past fortnight The rugby club, CRS Records, and Eccles Entertainment plan a Hollywood Bowl-style live concert and festival venue a 5000-seat boutique stadium and a multi-sport community hub The 50,000-person capacity venue would include a permanent full concert stage and improved hospitality infrastructure, complemented by updating the outer fields and the Ponsonby Rugby Club expanding its operations across other codes such as basketball The joint bid is based on at least a 30-year term CRS and Eccles Entertainment propose to build the concert infrastructure at their own cost Ponsonby Rugby is seeking to develop the new multi-sport hub with an estimated cost of $18-20 million which is likely to require some council funding The bare details of the joint bid were released to the Herald by the council’s events arm, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) which has been seeking a new operator for Western Springs since last June CRS Records’ Campbell Smith and Ponsonby Rugby Club chairman Greg Edmonds said they did not wish to comment beyond what TAU has released until the process is concluded In a statement, Mowbray has said the group’s proposal would not require public funding “The heart of the complex will be the 12,500-seat stadium The complex is expected to create long-term social environmental and cultural benefits for Auckland without any burden of cost to the ratepayer “The proposal is backed by local and international investors with local motivation around giving back to Auckland has seen massive success in its first season creating a loyal and significant fan base in the city.” Auckland FC have attracted huge crowds in their inaugural season to Go Media (Mt Smart) The TAU board will make a recommendation on a preferred proposal for the council’s governing body to consider on May 1 on whether to proceed to public consultation The Ponsonby Rugby Club has co-existed with speedway at Western Springs since 1997, and its current lease expires in 2027. In October last year, Mayor Wayne Brown and councillors voted 11-8 to move speedway to Waikaraka Park in Onehunga at the end of the summer season Rugby great Sir Bryan “Beegee” Williams is among those fighting plans to move his beloved Ponsonby Rugby Club out of Western Springs telling the Herald last October: “There is really no alternative to fit our needs like Western Springs does.” the club celebrated its 150th anniversary and holds the record for producing more All Blacks (48) than any other club in New Zealand Quite separately, councillors last Thursday endorsed in principle a staged redevelopment of Eden Park as the best and most feasible option for a fit-for-purpose main stadium The councillors rejected a second proposal on the waterfront at Quay Park Analysis by council officers found both plans are not feasible without significant public funding The decision leaves the privately owned Eden Park Trust with little prospect of funding its 2.1 vision for a retractable roof three new grandstands and a pedestrian promenade costing hundreds of millions of dollars and Associate Sports Minister Chris Bishop holds out little hope for Government funding Auckland CityBy negotiation311334m²DECEASED ESTATE PONSONBYOn the market for the first time in nearly 100 years This is one of the last undeveloped properties in this prime location Forget the CV and TradeMe indicators - this rare gem is brimming with potential Situated on a freehold 333 sqm section in the Mixed Business Zone it offers outstanding growth opportunities this property places you in the heart of Auckland’s most sought-after suburb Don’t miss this opportunity - our committed vendors are ready to pass it on to the next fortunate owner See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson based on a borrower’s individual credit assessment.Canstar's Most Awarded Personal LoanGet a renovation loan up to $70K and bring your vision to life we can approve your home improvement loan quickly and get your renovation started For people who grew up in inner city Auckland in the 1970s there were children playing on the streets until sunset and your neighbours were from the Pacific Islands These were the days when Ponsonby was affectionately known as Little Polynesia Experience the Pasifika journey in central Auckland first-hand – from Dawn Raids to acceptance as part of Aotearoa's landscape Explore how Pasifika individuals represented themselves Presented by Pasifika Historian Sofi Ulugia-Pua this discussion promises to be enlightening and thought-provoking Multimedia presentations include archival images from the period providing an insight into a significant chapter of Polynesian heritage in Ponsonby 'We're doing what we can to survive': Hope of Ponsonby Road bounce-back Ponsonby is one of Auckland's oldest neighbourhoods and while Ponsonby Road's boutique fashion outlets cafes and restaurants have been struggling recently there is still plenty of optimism that the area will bounce back With high interest rates and the country dipping in and out of recession, many retailers say business is the quietest it's been in years But there is also optimism that even with changing consumer trends Ponsonby retailers say having a shop front on the vibrant street is as much about community as it is about customers Diva opened Beau Restaurant on Ponsonby Rd in 2020 - just weeks before the first Covid lockdown Three months ago she opened a cafe next door She was not worried about the famous street being less busy right now "I guess it wasn't even really a consideration because this is all we've ever known and so we decided to open the deli to be able to expand what we do and connect with like a broader part of our community." Diva said the Ponsonby community choosing to eat local helped her keep going "I know that when they make choices to come here or other restaurants and cafes they're intentionally doing that and we're all just thankful," she said Nick Neilson owned The Polished Diamonds store He said he was attracted to the vibrant character of Ponsonby and not just the amount of customer traffic "I very strategically chose Ponsonby for my business and that's not necessarily based off of the market of people who frequent it "It's the fact that I did like the neighbourhood I think it was on par with our our brand and our people but it's also the the neighbourhood itself." He said the foot traffic may be lower right now - compared to what it was when he first opened his store seven years ago - but that was the reality for retailers across the country "I don't see Ponsonby Rd as any different from any of the economic times that we're currently having in New Zealand and we're doing what we can to survive it." He said the local business association had been proactive in helping We've been opening up to different kind of ways of broadcasting how businesses can be successful in general "Ponsonby has been quite proactive in trying to curb what is kind of a national situation right now." Neilson said there had been a lot of work happening to give Ponsonby Road a new lease of life when the economy rebounded I see the strong neighbourhood of Ponsonby Elliot Alexander had been running his art gallery Endemicworld on Ponsonby Rd for 13 years He was not worried about economic ups and downs but acknowledged he's in a good tenancy situation "We're very lucky we have a very supportive landlord Alexander said the change in consumer buying patterns was nothing new "Retail has been changing since the internet began." He said most of their sales were completed on mobile phones "Even though we released 400 square metres of retail space on Ponsonby Road "I think if you start a business and you want your 100 per cent of your income to be from your local physical clientele and a local physical store An example of that might be the local tattoo parlour or the local bakery He said Ponsonby Road's identity was changing from that old neighbourhood of independent boutique retail "To talk about Ponsonby Rd as just one general space - it's not quite that simple anymore "A chain store is not what people think of when they go to Ponsonby Rd." Alexander believed the changes were being driven by more internet shopping "The value in the land to to people isn't in a shop being there to sell things which means there should be some spaces that actually sell things but a lot of it will be everyday consumables that you need when you live in the city." A strategy document for the future of Ponsonby was being developed by the local business association People could complete an online survey to share their experiences which it said will contribute to a place-based vision for the future of the popular neighbourhood The Auckland road is the quietest it has been in decades with a lack of foot traffic and high rents putting off businesses Businesses in Auckland's CBD are questioning whether they can survive with some saying patronage is down as much as 70 percent due to roadworks and construction and a plate of salt and pepper squid was always how it began on a summer's day at SPQR Photo / Supplied- A vintage cottage in Ponsonby is for sale for the first time in nearly 100 years a dedicated local who lived there from the 1930s - Dawson was known for his generosity and involvement in the community A vintage cottage sandwiched between two modern apartment blocks is on the market for sale for the first time in almost 100 years which sits on a 334sqm section in Auckland’s Ponsonby has an RV of $2.25 million but the listing for the deceased estate on OneRoof urges buyers to ignore the valuation which is being sold by Barfoot & Thompson agents Alexander Kramarenko and Luke Shi was the home of Ponsonby character Daniel Dawson from the 1930s until his death last year at the age of 96 Dawson had turned down offers for his home over the years his nephew and executor Ken Rouse told OneRoof but he was so committed to life in his suburb even as it changed around him and neighbouring properties were sold and developed The late owner lived in the three-bedroom cottage since the 1930s “Dan was probably only seven or eight years old when he moved there [to 45 Brown Street] and was apprenticed to Fletchers in the company’s early years He never married but he had several hobbies and interests “He was a member of the Ponsonby Rugby League Club and right into his 90s he was a season ticket holder at Mount Smart Stadium for the Warriors.” Dawson used to travel by bus and train to the stadium with his friends “They were good family friends and used to accompany him chaperone him to the league right to the end,” said Rouse “The Warriors from time to time would train at a facility on Brown Street and they’d walk past the house [My uncle] would give the coach and one or two of the players a strop up on what he thought they should and shouldn’t be doing - Four-leaf clover helps first-home buyers secure groovy do-up - Fashion gurus sell their luxury 'shoe cupboard' for $2.68m - Iconic 'dome' house built for All Black up for grabs “One of the local Ponsonby businessmen organised a birthday card for my uncle on his 90th and it was signed by all of the Warriors When Turet Knuefermann opened her clothing store Knuefermann on Brown Street Dawson welcomed her to the neighbourhood and began dropping off gifts of vegetables he had grown in his veggie patch It’s something he did for many local business owners “It was so wonderful to see a thriving veggie patch in the middle of the city,” said Knuefermann “We were neighbours for 20 years and he was always such a gentleman He would pop his head in on his way for a walk to say hi.” Dawson was still able to get up a ladder and paint the Brown Street cottage when he was in his 80s Dawson was also popular with the staff and students at the A’oga Fa’a Samoa early childhood centre at nearby Richmond Road Primary School “He used to caretake the grounds there for years and years and years without ever accepting anything other than beautifully painted and coloured Christmas and birthday cards,” Rouse said “They would sometimes turn up and sing waiata to him just in honour of his contribution to the school.” He added: “Money never really interested him Even though he was a pensioner he would give thousands of dollars away to children’s cancer research and the Red Cross and heart organisations.” The neighbours in the apartment blocks around watched that with some trepidation A two-bedroom green villa for sale at 118 Church Street will be recognisable to Dress Smart shoppers Listing agent Alexander Kramarenko said he was delighted he had been recommended to the vendors He’d parked outside the home for more than a decade when taking clients for celebratory catch-ups at Cocoro restaurant across the street It was the only house left that was untouched.” The listing of 45 Brown Street follows the listing of another vintage Auckland home surrounded by multi-storey developments. Earlier this month, OneRoof wrote about a green villa in Onehunga surrounded by the high concrete walls of Dress Smart shopping mall The two-bedroom deceased estate at 118 Church Street is for sale with Barfoot & Thompson agents Wendy Sadd and Michele Ballinger - 45 Brown Street, Ponsonby, Auckland, is for sale, tender closing March 25 Join us on a tour of Ponsonby where we'll uncover the scandals and curiosities that make this area unique Walk through the charming streets of Three Lamps and St Marys Bay while learning about the area's rich architectural heritage and social history Discover its 'Little Polynesia' past and hear intriguing tales of local personalities and delve into the scandals prepare to be amazed by the stories and hidden gems of Ponsonby Yonier Cuevas Vega aka Y.CV (formerly known as Jinitero MC) is back to Pononby Social Club with his band The Boom band.This time for a Fundraiser Event to take him urgently back to Cuba for some Family matters.Due to his mother health Yonier is doing this gig and rushing over.Come join this wicked guy and his band for a night of community support and great music invites you on an exhilarating journey through the rich musical legacy of Cuba Eight exceptional musicians from around the world will light up the stage with an electrifying performance blending the Afro-Cuban roots of jazz with modern Latin flair.Drawing inspiration from legendary acts like Irakere Ke lo Ke pays tribute to Cuba’s timeless sound while infusing it with contemporary energy a trailblazer of Cuban music and dance in New Zealand the ensemble showcases world-class talent from Cuba and Aotearoa.Their dynamic line-up features:Vocals & Percussion – Isbert Ramos Mediaceja ‘Vivio’ (Cuba)Vocals & Percussion – Marcelo Valencia Stuardo (Chile)Piano – Dr Mark Baynes (England)Bass – Alex Griffith (Aotearoa)Trumpet – Mike Booth (Aotearoa)Saxophone & Flute – Pete France (Scotland)Percussion – Ignacio Valencia ‘Nacho’ (Chile)Percussion & Vocals – Edwin Westermeier (Chile)Having graced the stages of festivals and venues like the National Jazz Festival and Ponsonby Social Club Ke lo Ke promises an unforgettable night of irresistible rhythms and infectious energy.Don’t miss your chance to be transported to the vibrant streets of Havana!*This event is part of the Ponsonby Social Club's Rice & Beans Festival The actions of Destiny Church in Te Atatū today are totally unacceptable While I respect freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest Members of Brian Tamaki’s Destiny Church have broken through police barricades and disrupted tonight’s rainbow parade in central Auckland A group wearing Man Up T-shirts blocked Ponsonby Rd holding up the parade as they performed a haka The group then stood in front of police officers who were walking ahead of the parade Members of the public attending the parade cheered to drown out the disruption The protesters then danced and swaggered away smiling and waving at an unimpressed crowd A police spokesman said several individuals reportedly forced their way through barriers on Ponsonby Rd near Williamson Ave “Police responded and moved the individuals off the road,” he said Auckland’s Mayor Wayne Brown criticised the action of protesters after an earlier violent disruption at a children’s event in the city featuring a drag king “The actions of Destiny Church today are totally unacceptable to enter a council library facility that is there for all our communities to use and intimidate council staff volunteers and community members going about their business “There is absolutely no place for thuggery,” he said He said Auckland was home to 1.7 million people from all walks of life “and I value the diversity of the communities that make up our great city” Brown said: “The kind of behaviour that was on display today is disgraceful and unacceptable.” Tamaki said of the Rainbow Parade disruption on social media: “Our radical young people have had enough “The debauchery in the Rainbow Parade has gone on for too long Auckland has long been overrun with this woke Violence erupted at a library drag event earlier in the day when members of Destiny Church groups stormed a community centre to protest a children’s show It drew the ire of Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick and Auckland Council who both condemned the acts as “sad” and “disappointing” and forced the cancellation of a second show at another community centre involving the church’s Man Up and Legacy groups and youngsters happened at Te Atatū Community Centre and saw protesters punching Event organiser Auckland Pride billed the event as a “musical magical adventure exploring the science of the skies” and was open to all ages young children and adults had to be barricaded inside said those targeted were “incredibly shaken up and I think that’s the intention of this intimidation and violence” protesting against a show featuring a drag king with a focus on science were denied entry to the ticketed event before bowling past staff trying to stop them Tamaki posted on social media: “Proud of my people who are out in the community today making a stand against the woke agenda plaguing our city Tamaki later told the Herald that Man Up was forced to step up and take peaceful action with the Government refusing to “address the excessive spending on borderline pornography and perversion targeting our innocent Kiwi kids” The council’s community director Rachel Kelleher told the Herald: “The council is extremely disappointed in the non-peaceful actions of protesters [at the] rainbow-friendly educational event Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022 Sign up to The Daily H A top lawyer today called for Auckland Council to halt public consultation on plans for Western Springs until a legal challenge to move the speedway from its home of 96 years is determined At a governing body meeting set for tomorrow Auckland councillors are expected to approve public consultation on plans between a 12,500-seat sports stadium and a Ponsonby Rugby Club/music promoter proposal Billionaire couple Anna Mowbray and former All Black Ali Williams are involved in a self-funded consortium for the new stadium They are up against the Ponsonby Rugby Club which has teamed up with two music promoters to build a Hollywood Bowl-style live concert and festival venue A third option is to do nothing or explore other ideas The council told the Herald the report for tomorrow’s meeting is now publicly available and staff do not intend to change the agenda item “The governing body will be asked to decide whether to proceed with public consultation on three options for the future use of Western Springs Stadium following an expression of interest process that was run by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU),” a spokesperson said the barrister for the Western Springs Speedway Association (WSSA) said: “It is clear the only prudent approach at this time is the third option (not progressing further with the expression of interest process) until the judicial review proceedings have been determined.” none involved keeping speedway at Western Springs “While the report suggests that the retention of speedway could be considered under option 3 that would not be the outcome if the council decides to consult on the ‘options identified’,” she said Carruthers said if the council decided to proceed with public consultation, the retention of Ponsonby Rugby Club and concerts/festivals must form part of option three That would be a “fair and reasonable” approach before any consultation takes place A report by officers on the Western Springs process touches on the judicial review saying “litigation gives rise to uncertainty in the decision-making process and may have financial and reputational implications” for the council and TAU WSSA spokesman Jason Jones said the judicial review aimed to overturn the council’s decision Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday. is one of the city’s most popular food and entertainment hubs Photo / Sylive WhinrayOne of Auckland’s trendiest food and entertainment hubs sold this year for $75 million Sales records show the Queenstown-based Westwood Group bought Ponsonby Central in April in a deal brokered by Colliers agents Blair Peterken and Adam White The $75m sale price is the commercial real estate sector’s second biggest this year eclipsed only by the $97m sale of 11.59 hectares of industrial land in Auckland’s Takanini Ponsonby Central is home to more than two dozen bars It was the brainchild of property developer Andy Davies who transformed the former Allen’s Calendar Factory on the corner of Ponsonby Road and Brown Street into a one-stop shop for eating - Tony Alexander: Where Kiwis plan to splash the cash now rates are falling - 'Lady of the manor' selling the Edwardian dream home that almost killed her - Panic over Trump? The Americans desperate for a house in New Zealand Ponsonby Central was launched in 2012 and is now home to more than 20 eateries that together offer cuisines from a dozen countries High-profile tenants at the 6727sqm site include Burger Burger Bedford Soda & Liquor and Wallace Cotton the Silky Otter cinema and a penthouse apartment that was completed in 2021 agents highlighted that it brought in more than $5m a year in net passing income Peterken told OneRoof at the time that Davies had spent more than 10 years developing Ponsonby Central but felt it was time to move on to new challenges Ponsonby Central outgoing owner and property developer Andy Davies in 2014 When the sale was announced earlier this year Davies said he would use the money to invest in new developments “I am looking to complete some new projects and I am incredibly excited about the opportunity to tackle some different developments It has been a great experience watching Ponsonby Central take shape and grow into one of central Auckland’s most popular shopping and dining precincts.” The New Zealand Herald reported that Westwood owns Queenstown’s entertainment hub Steamer Wharf as well as various shops and offices in the town said the Ponsonby asset was a standout to add to existing holdings “The opportunity to purchase this property given its prominent location in one of Auckland’s most keenly sought suburbs was too good to pass up “There are considerable similarities between Ponsonby Central and Steamer Wharf in Queenstown so we believe we have plenty of expertise to help Ponsonby Central continue to evolve as a premier food and beverage and retail offering.” - Click here to find more properties for sale in Auckland Kol restaurant on 23 Ponsonby Rd is closing Take a trip down memory lane as we chart the many iterations of 23 Ponsonby Rd but in a 2000 print edition of Auckland Restaurants: The Rough Guide Mark Graham described the short-lived Middle Eastern-inspired cafe as “an unassuming cafe that has yet to be really ‘discovered’ by local Ponsonby-ites” He noted the European and South American spin on some of its dishes highlighting a spinach borek in filo pastry with feta cheese for $15.50 There for a good time not a long time, Mange Tout was owned by chef Trevor Griggs and his partner and maitre d’, Emma. Before opening the bar and restaurant on Ponsonby Rd, Griggs worked at Grosvenor House in Park Lane and as executive chef at the Stamford Plaza downtown Mange Tout was reviewed for Viva in 2000 by John Gardner and the house typography is distinctive .. There is a fine view of the passing Ponsonby traffic Mange Tout closed in 2001 and the Griggs went on to open Paramount in Lorne St with Adrien de Croy serving modern NZ contemporary twists on classic dishes The Rocco era saw the heritage house painted bright white and a concrete terrace and front steps added Eaves over the upstairs windows and downstairs French doors declared the restaurant’s name in red The interior wasn’t too far removed from that of a Ponsonby villa drapes and tables; a leather banquette along one wall and glass mosaic tiles and artwork lining the walls the dining room expanded to a canvas-covered courtyard Upstairs there was a private dining room for 16 people decorated in burgundy and black Reviewers remarked on Rocco’s strange entry which wasn’t the front door but the sliding side door that would transport diners into an awkward bar area The bathrooms were accessed up extremely steep The repurposed two-storey house suffered from oddly sized rooms and compartmentalised spaces – far from the open-plan restaurants of today Viva reviewer Ewan McDonald noted in 2003 there were “a few nervous glances” when Russell and Wallbank took over the reconstructed villa “The place had been home to a number of previous ventures and hadn’t been kind to any he called it an “institution on the boulevard most regard as Ground Zero of eating out in Auckland” There were signs of trouble later in the decade, with Peter Calder declaring the ambience “deafening” in a 2010 Herald on Sunday review “Rocco – which is at least as much a bar as a restaurant – is bloody noisy .. As the Professor said: ‘It’s really a place where people go to drink and shout at each other.‘” A 2010 Viva review remarked “The last time we visited Rocco it was chaotic He employed the talents of chef Che Barrington to craft the menu which featured flavour-packed share plates like caramelised pork hock soft shell crab and tamarind smoked fish curry with the house’s exterior painted a gunmetal green The interior was revamped from its Rocco era into a dark sleek and moody space with multicoloured timber-lined walls brown lacquered tables and matching square wooden stools semi-outdoor dining room was treated to bright yellow velvet panels and cosy banquet seating The stairs though, remained the same, labelled as “positively vertiginous” by the Herald on Sunday’s Peter Calder in 2015. He suggested the restaurant ought to have “amassed a decent body count in the four years it’s been open”, such was their precariousness. He also noted that, like Rocco, the front door remained inaccessible with diners instead having to use the folding glass side door it was still “the best Thai food in town .. It remained strong right up until its closure, with Jesse Mulligan writing in 2016 “It’s one thing to be big news when you open but it requires a different class of restaurateur to be just as exciting five years later.” In 2017, with the likes of Saan and Azabu also on Ponsonby Rd Wallbank closed Moochowchow to pursue a new venture Gogo Daddy in Ponsonby Central (which subsequently closed in 2023) with owners Oliver Scutts (who’d co-opened Annabel’s wine bar) and Robb Hill (who helped to launch Britomart’s 1885) noting the location was “too good an opportunity to pass by” praising the corner Ponsonby site that “gets great sun” The pair completely transformed the interior moving the bar to the front of the restaurant and lining the walls with pale vertical timber panels with a logo and good-looking website devised by Studio South But when Viva‘s Jesse Mulligan visited in June 2018 he had concerns with Teddy’s bistro food. “I had high hopes for Teddy’s but I can’t let you eat here until they sort out the kitchen tastefully redecorated for its latest incarnation.” “The Auckland food scene is too wonderful right now for me to risk your money on a meal that’s not up to scratch.” Canvas reviewer Kim Knight noted that despite the makeover the “Everest-like ascent to the bathroom remains .. The thing with Teddy’s is that the food is fine The thing with Ponsonby Rd is that it is a dining destination It wasn’t a winning formula and Teddy’s closed in 2020 The Scandal era involved a suggestive name a lot of black paint and the crushing impacts of Covid Described as Asian fusion with a Kiwi twist owner Gautam Jindal took the colonial villa into a “more is more” era spray-painted brick walls and a light-up marble bar restaurant reviewers didn’t flock to assess its menu of bao buns Kim Knight paid a visit for Canvas in February and said: “I wanted to give Scandal a higher score because everybody was so nice and the kitchen was working so hard and the food was very pretty – but there were a few ‘buts’ to work through (literally)” – noting overly sweet and fried dishes Knight said: “They’ve seriously redecorated and now it’s all dark brick and epically lit marble it felt a little close (and some of those chairs are uncomfortably wedged against the wall and the bar).” Scandal encouraged visitors with happy hours Jindal told the Herald the restaurant had closed its doors after it was late paying its November rent, which he blamed on financial difficulties associated with Covid-19. It announced on Instagram in 2021 10 Eleven by Marvel opened in April 2022 and described itself as a “modern grill and seafood restaurant offering late-night kitchen and bar dining along with parkside outdoor dining” The arrival of the new restaurant and bar saw the building and its interior made over once again The interior was painted white and decorated with an elaborate floral mural by artist Rachel Rush pasture and produce suppliers” plus “the usual classic beers wines and spirits but also offer products outside the beaten track for those who are more adventurous” 10 Eleven by Marvel lasted less than six months and its website and Instagram have disappeared from the internet The Sahrawats had been discussing a bar concept for some time when they heard the Ponsonby site was available Kol (pronounced “coal”) serves innovative cocktails and tandoor-inspired snacks and dishes mainly cooked over fire using New Zealand produce with an Indian influence Kol’s “fire” element and food menu take inspiration from the Indian chula an old form of cooking with firewood over a mud or clay stove with Kim Knight for Canvas calling the service “superbly professional and totally charming” and Cuisine dubbing it “the hottest spot in Auckland” and bestowing it two hats in its Good Food Awards in 2023 and one in 2024 the Sahrawats announced its imminent closure this week we’re glad we tried – you never know if an idea will succeed unless you try” The couple have announced a new concept for the space inviting hospitality professionals interested in taking over the space and mentorship from the couple and the Restaurant Association “We feel the space has potential and would suit other concepts,” says Sid “KOL/LAB is a hospitality incubator for a new concept – a way to test out market reception without financial risks “The new operator will keep 100% of their profits they just pay rent and cover their staffing and production costs We look forward to still playing a role in this way in the lively fabric of Ponsonby.” including Restaurant Association head Marisa Bidois restaurateur Al Brown and Cuisine magazine owner and editor Kelli Brett “Hospitality is a challenging business at the best of times and we know many talented operators have great ideas but face barriers to entry – especially in the current climate” “What Sid and Chand are offering with KOL/LAB is not only incredibly generous By removing some of the biggest roadblocks – financial pressure and fit-out costs – they’re giving someone the kind of start we rarely see in this industry.” The next incarnation of 23 Ponsonby Rd is in capable hands Ever wondered how architects design homes for themselves Ken Crosson’s new Ponsonby apartment is a nod to the heritage buildings of Ponsonby Rd with an interior and attitude that’s decidedly modern Architect Ken Crosson’s new apartment in Ponsonby Rd Turn right immediately after entering the front door and suddenly the relatively small footprint of the lobby gives way to a big The apartment entrance acts much like the central hallway in a villa – it takes you through a relatively narrow space that dramatically and suddenly gives way to a larger volume The Echelon apartments (the layout of the two apartments is almost a mirror image) replace the century-old villa that was on the site The apartments are designed to pay homage to the history and style of the original villa and others in the surrounding neighbourhood “The form and elevation of the Echelon references the existing heritage buildings in and around Ponsonby,” explains Ken “It’s designed to be a new version of the colonial structures It’s a modern building but it’s not a loud The intention was for the apartment building to be contemporary while being respectful of its context.” Ken has an affinity for villas – he lived in one for 35 years he had a hankering to build a contemporary apartment “I liked the idea of doing something a bit edgy.” While the traditional villa was his inspiration the apartment’s overall look and feel is very much of these times The classic villa style is all about decorative features such as balustrades while the apartment building is pared back and masculine it’s across the road from the pocket park currently under construction by Auckland Council designed for the growing number of urban apartment dwellers He has an easy commute to work – Crosson Architects is downstairs The two-level apartment flows easily from one zone to another Steel-framed ripple glass separates the art-filled entrance from the living space This is also where the apartment transitions into taller with an impressive double-height ceiling of 5.5m and multiple skylights infusing the space with natural light the skylight above the kitchen acts as a type of sundial – it choreographs the day,” says Ken The soaring ceilings that intersect at interesting angles are also a key element Ken has designed the streamlined kitchen to be very much a part of the living space There’s also a scullery adjacent to the kitchen so the messier parts of food prep can be hidden He had the dining table custom-made to fit the space – it’s large enough to host dinner parties for eight guests can spill onto the Bend sofa and enjoy the twinkling city lights including a perfectly framed view of the Sky Tower opens the custom-oak cupboard concealing the television The Ponsonby Rd side of the apartment has double-height windows and doors facing the Waitakere Ranges which can be as equally impressive as the cityscape views we knew the views were going to be amazing That’s why I included a ‘crow’s nest’ roof terrace in the design,” he says The single most striking architectural feature of the apartment is the black helical staircase in a prime position opposite the kitchen “It was made in a factory from plate steel We had it craned in before the roof was on.” To add to the visual drama the staircase leads to a steel bridge that links the upstairs bedroom wings and bridges are exciting as they punch through space.” The bridge has one more architectural flourish – an elegant curve juts out acting as a sort of viewing platform to the living room below “That detail was designed as another experience projecting into the space a moment to give you pause.” The apartment has high-spec glazing to shut out most of the city noise the scream of sirens gives it a New York-style vibe He’s been described as a humanist architect and his work spans urban housing developments as well as residential and heritage buildings He was a finalist in the World Architecture Awards for his Hut on Sleds project His innovative ideas and meticulous attention to detail are what has won him international recognition – and put him on the radar of not one but two famous British TV show hosts he spent time with George Clarke from George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces and Phil Spencer of Location Phil was here to film the second series of NZ’s Best Homes (Ken’s apartment is being featured) He met George (who has an uncle here and visits NZ regularly) a decade ago when he filmed a Crosson-designed bach in the Coromandel for his TV show Crosson Architects’ work in high-density housing is also being held up as an exemplar of multi-unit residential design Last year the firm’s Boathouse Bay housing development at Snells Breach was named Home of the Year by HOME magazine “Cities can’t keep spreading out,” he says This site was a single home and now it’s two apartments We need to have higher-density housing on arterial routes and ridgelines like this.” Ken and his partner have the option of leaving the fast-paced city behind for time out at his bach at Otama beach I know my privilege,” he says with a smile Small but impactful steps to spruce up your home Looking For A Rug? These 10 Options Provide Plenty Of Inspiration Is Renting Better Than Buying In New Zealand? Renting offers access to top school zones Why Every Room Needs Something Weird To Make It Pop Intriguing objects and ‘the ugly rule’ can help transform your space Interior Designers Share How To Make Showers As Luxurious As A Bathtub Here’s how to make your morning shower more indulgent A bloom of daffodils welcomed a stream of stars A new venture opening soon with a collection of 1300 bottles from a team of wine experts The active botanical skincare brand is rolling out in 50 Sephora stores from May 13 From sushi to souffle and blue cod tempura Jesse spotlights the very best of Ōtautahi spiced treat that turns carrots into something surprisingly sweet and snackable Beetroot is the secret ingredient in this chocolate orange cake Auckland's Ponsonby Road is the quietest it has been in decades with a lack of foot traffic and high rents putting off new businesses One shop owner told First Up that turning a profit now was harder than it was through Covid while another said if things did not change he would have to shut shop as early as next year Anna Lim had been running her Garden Party gift store on Ponsonby Rd for 30 years She said retailers were not as busy as they used to be I think people are being really hard hit by the cost of living and then Covid but we had relief from landlords and we had relief from the government." She said it was not just customers avoiding the area Rising rental prices were making Ponsonby Road less appealing for new businesses "That the rents are so high you don't get a a whole lot of interesting younger people What happens in times like this is that when a lot of shops and businesses shut "But there's a couple of really big players and they've they've got so much money Two iconic Ponsonby restaurants recently went into receivership - Chapel Bar and Bistro closed down after 19 years in business and SPQR announced the end of its three-decade run who had been publishing the Ponsonby News magazine for the past 20 years said the closure of the veteran bars was making other businesses concerned about their survival "I think people are just quite worried at the moment about their future that's the feedback that I get - 'we hope we're still going to be around' there's very little foot traffic compared to what there used to be "And that's concerning quite a few different businesses that I talked to." a man was killed after a shooting on Ponsonby Rd and in June three people were hit by a car in what police called a "mass disorder" incident Leech said some people might be avoiding the street because of safety concerns He first set up shop in 2008 and said says foot traffic was nowhere close to what it was "We would maybe get about 70 to 80 people coming in every day "Our conversion rate used to be pretty high - around 60 to 70 percent of those people would end up buying "Now I'm lucky if I can get 15 people through the store and many of them just browse," he said The lack of customers meant revenue was plunging "Turnover now is 30 percent of what it was about eight years ago there is there are other extraneous contributing factors as well which are the market forces and consumer confidence and that's plummeted right down to the bottom "And I've never seen it so bad in my 21 years of retail trading." he may have to close down for good when his lease came up "It's more like a labour of love for us right now but if the tide does not turn we have to basically close shop," he said "I don't plan to close but if things don't really improve our lease comes up if the landlord does not pay ball the rents go up then it is simply not going for us to be just coming in here working for the landlord and to pay for the utilities." Things were not much better for Roy from Mutiara Malaysian Restaurant He said not everyone can afford to dine in Ponsonby restaurants and now many of those customers who could pay Ponsonby prices were moving overseas "After Covid I found out that a lot of people who can afford to come to the Ponsonby Roy believed they'd rather spend their money close to home "They'd rather stay in their suburb and having food that's more cheaper," he said He said travelling to Ponsonby meant in addition to the high prices The Ponsonby Business Association was developing a strategy for the future Lim from the Garden Party store was optimistic that Ponsonby Rd will pick up once again I think I'm in a lucky position because we've weathered quite a few ups and downs and storms and and we've had some really good times "I believe that this is just part of a cycle It's the bottom of the cycle will come up and I'm hoping for a boomer Christmas that we have a great Christmas that people's confidence comes back and and we get on with spending money and having a good time." 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Auckland City$1,949,000313326m²Your Dream Canvas in PonsonbyIn the heart of one of Auckland's most iconic suburbs Ponsonby - a chance to claim your slice of this vibrant neighbourhood and create a home that's uniquely yours it offers a spacious master retreat upstairs complete with sweeping views of Auckland that feel like your private sanctuary dining and kitchen which flow effortlessly onto a sun-soaked northwest-facing deck and garden This is where your best moments will unfold Low-maintenance landscaping ensures your weekends are for relaxing And with a rare Ponsonby perk - a garage and space for two more cars means you'll never have to worry about parking and you're instantly immersed in Ponsonby's electric energy From world-class dining and boutique shopping to buzzing bars and local markets everything you need is right at your doorstep Here's a chance to craft a space that reflects your vision Don't miss this rare opportunity to make Ponsonby your own we can approve your home improvement loan quickly and get your renovation started.