Summerset Scene - DRESSED TO IMPRESS BOB MILLER THE RUNNING MAN PETER HANSON A QUICK CHAT WITH JUDE SAVOUR SPRING STRAWBERRY CRUNCH STACK ...
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Summerset
• S P R I N G 2 0 1 9 •
Scene
DRESSED TO IMPRESS BOB MILLER • THE RUNNING MAN PETER HANSON • A QUICK CHAT WITH JUDE
SAVOUR SPRING STRAWBERRY CRUNCH STACK • KEEP MINDS SHARP CROSSWORDS & PUZZLES
COVER IMAGE | BOB MILLER
Hello
from Janan
Whangarei
Warkworth
Milldale Parnell
Hobsonville St Johns
Ellerslie
Manukau
Karaka
Katikati
Papamoa Beach
Rototuna
Hamilton
More than
I’m very excited, proud, and
5,000
Cambridge
Taupo
Pohutukawa Place
New Plymouth Napier honoured to be your new
New Zealanders call Te Awa
editor of Summerset Scene.
Summerset Wanganui Hastings
Levin Havelock North
home Waikanae
Paraparaumu
Palmerston North
Trentham
Nelson
Lower Hutt I’ve got some big, talented shoes to fill sold out within two hours!). However, for the
Richmond Aotea following the departure of former editor Emily rest of us, there are some great pics to enjoy
Blenheim Kenepuru Elliot who, as I write, is enjoying some on page 25.
well-deserved and very exciting adventures in
Some very tasty recipes for gluten-free buffalo
Europe (and yes, we are a tad jealous). I’m
chicken, a light asparagus and prawn spring
happy to report that she’s landed her dream
Rangiora salad, and a delectable take on the classic Eton
Avonhead job, and in my home city of London, no less –
mess that is bursting with strawberries all await
Wigram Casebrook so I’m considering it a fair swap!
you on pages 32–33.
In this edition, I’m happy to present to you a
Also in this issue, Amelia Norman takes us on a
KEY wonderfully eclectic showcase of talent, from
trip to Rotorua in her travel column (page 44),
= Summerset village fashion designer Bob Miller (page 4) to
and Cameron Officer gets fellow petrolheads
marathon man Peter Hanson, who at 82 years
= Planned village revved up over the new Cupra Ateca – which is
old shows no signs of slowing down – nor
a SEAT. But also totally not a SEAT. Confused?
should he! You can read all about his multiple
Dunedin Find out more on page 40.
medals and achievements on page 8.
It’s been a real privilege meeting with some of
We celebrate two fantastic embroiderers from
you (so far!), and I look forward to sharing many
Aotea, Mina Thomas and Marie Trethowen, who
more of your amazing stories.
recently showed off their handiwork at a village
exhibition. Pat Campbell, a Wigram resident
and ‘doctor of hedgehogs’, chats to us about
Residents’ Survey 2019 – Closing soon! her interesting life; and in Hamilton D-Day
The annual Summerset Resident Satisfaction Survey veteran Charles Willoughby receives an
closes on Friday, 13 September. incredible honour from France – read all about
it on page 14.
We hope you’re loving life at Summerset and are keen to hear if Janan Jedrzejewski
And, of course, we have our yearly showcase of
there are any areas where we can improve your experience. SUMMERSET SCENE EDITOR
Waste to Waist, the Nelson village fashion show
You can complete the survey either online or on paper. If you have brimming with creativity. Only around 200
any questions, please have a chat with your village manager. lucky residents got to attend the event (tickets
2 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue
Contents
Features ColumnsC O L U M N S
Bob Miller Summerset
Dressed to
impress
Business STA F F
P RO F I L E 22. CRAFT
CORNER 37. E X E RC I S E 43.
04. 12.
Peter Hanson Charles Willoughby
OUR
N E WS 24. BOOK
R E V I E WS 38. T R AV E L
LO G 44.
The running The greatest
man honour
08. 14. D E L I C I O US
R EC I P E S 30. M OTO R I N G 40. B R A I N T E AS E 46.
Jude Dobson Mina Thomas and
Marie Trethowen
A quick chat
with Jude Reel talent
10. 16. 34. 42. 48.
IN THE A RO U N D
GA R D E N FAS H I O N SU M M E RS E T
Clark Cottage Pat Campbell
A sneak peek Bristling with
knowledge
11. 20.
STORY TO SHARE?
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environmentally responsible paper,
produced using Elemental Chlorine
We really enjoy telling your stories. If you have an exciting or interesting tale to tell, get in Free (ECF), FSC® certified, Mixed
touch with Summerset Scene editor, Janan Jedrzejewski. We’d love to hear from you! Source pulp from Responsible
Sources, and manufactured under
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magazine@summerset.co.nz (04) 830 1175
Management System.
Dressed
to impress
B Y E M I LY E L L I O T T
Born and raised in Te Kuiti, Bob
Miller never expected his love of
design and fashion to take him to
Paris, London and New York.
Visiting these cities’ fashion
weeks gave him the inspiration to
create and sketch garments for
the New Zealand fashion ranges of
the company he was working for.
Bob says his earliest memories are of a closely
knit community, deeply affected by the
Depression and with families struggling to
feed themselves. As he grew older, sketching
and painting became his passion as he copied
from magazines and added his own flair and
ideas. “My parents dreamed of a good
government job for me, one that I could have
for life,” he says, laughing.
4 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue Summerset Scene | Spring Issue 5
“I’d gather everything I could, then go to
a coffee shop and sit in the corner, and
rapidly capture the day’s inspiration.”
Bob’s family relocated to Auckland, giving him Bob’s company obtained a licence to
the opportunity to move into the fashion world manufacture and market the designs of
as a junior cutter in a clothing factory. London-based Norman Hartnell, owner of one
of the world’s leading fashion houses at the
He worked his way up to become head cutter,
time. Hartnell was dressmaker to both the
absorbing as much information about textiles,
Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II. Bob
patterns and garments as he could. “In those
found himself learning under Maurice Hood,
days, there was little training that could be had.”
who had trained in Paris and was an expert in
draping fabric as a way of designing. “I learned
the art of draping from him. I’d pin and drape
fabric and sketch it, before transferring it to
pattern card,” he says. His favourite fabrics to
work with were silk jerseys and knits.
HE STARTED OFFERING THE DESIGN Although Bob never met Hartnell personally, his
DEPARTMENT SOME SKETCHES, team would send designs and fabric swatches
AND EVENTUALLY ONE OF HIS DESIGNS WAS to Hartnell’s workshop in London. “They’d be
INCLUDED IN THE NEXT SEASON’S RANGE. sent back to us in an engraved gold embossed
folder, with Hartnell’s notes and comments all
In time, Bob became head designer, which he over them. We’d then have to create the design
says was a dream come true. “I started exactly!” Bob adds that they would often
travelling overseas to check trends in fabric design for New Zealand government officials
and fashion throughout Europe, the USA, Asia who attended events such as the coronation of
and Australia. I’d do two trips a year, and each Queen Elizabeth II, and that he “designed a few
day away was extremely busy.” garments for Tonga’s Queen Sālote Tupou III”.
For years he attended every fashion show he Bob spent his life working in fashion, and says
could, sometimes secretly sketching, then there were a lot of highlights. “In fact, the
taking photos of high street window displays at whole industry was a highlight!”
night. “I’d gather everything I could, then go to
a coffee shop and sit in the corner, and rapidly
capture the day’s inspiration.” Bob brought
fabric samples, sketches and photographs back
to Auckland – everything he and his team OPPOSITE PAGE | Bob's Hartnell Sketchbook with original
needed for their designs. designs
6 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue Summerset
SummersetScene
Scene | Spring
Winter Issue 7
BY JANAN JEDRZEJEWSKI The 82-year-old, originally Although he has always loved
from Halifax in Yorkshire, running, Peter was forced to
England, has run everything take a prolonged 35-year
from the 60m dash through to break when he started doing
full-on marathons in different shift work at what is now the
MetService, which included
locations around the world,
presenting the weather
including the UK, Canada and
forecast on radio station 2ZB.
Australia. His most epic
He resumed running once
achievement so far has been
again with gusto after being
the 2007 London Marathon, a made redundant in 2000 –
whopping 42km. something he says saved
He also threw a distance of his life.
“I came to New Zealand
8.86m in the 3kg shot, which
“I had a tumour inside my left because my parents were
not only broke a Wellington
ventricle and it took them four here,” Peter explains. “They
record but also earned him a
years to find it,” he explains. had come down from Malaya
bronze medal to add to his
“The only symptom was I after the communist
seemingly unstoppable
could only run for a minute, insurrection there. My father
collection. When it comes to
and I used to get dizzy wasn’t a policeman, but he’d
his shot-put skills, Peter hasn’t
standing up.” His cardiologist joined the Malayan police
been beaten in the New
uncovered a rare heart [fighting for the
Zealand championships for
condition, a benign tumour Commonwealth forces against
four years, making him an
known as a myxoma. “I could the communists], and they
undefeated gold medallist in
run a lot better afterwards,” had their army there as well.”
his category, the 80–84 age
Peter jokes, in his thick
group. The guerrilla war, known as
Yorkshire accent.
THE
the Malayan Emergency,
In more recent times, the
Peter joined the merchant lasted more than 12 years.
Summerset at Aotea resident
navy at the age of 16, and Luckily, it ended well for Peter
completed the Tarawera Trail
during his 10-year stint he and his family. “The
run last February, and has
travelled to Australia, New [Commonwealth] fought them
already signed up to do it
Zealand and all around the off eventually and finished off
again in Rotorua next year, as
RUNNING
world. In 1963, at the age of the rebellion,” he says, “and
well as a 24km run in Taupo in
27, he immigrated to New when my parents came to New
October.
Zealand and settled in Zealand, they asked me if I’d
Wellington. like to come out too.”
OPPOSITE PAGE | Peter in action
for New Zealand; BOTTOM | Many
medals adorn Peter's walls
MAN
In 2017, Peter hit the
A plethora of medals, awarded for
running and shot-put, decorate Peter headlines in Stuff when
Hanson’s study. Encased in frames, stuck he claimed four medals at
to walls, hanging casually from hooks, the Australian Masters
they make a distinct clinking sound as he Athletics Championships
does a rough tally. To date, he’s won 150.
in Darwin for the 60m,
And he’s not stopping there.
100m & 5,000m events.
8 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue Summerset Scene | Spring Issue 9
Clark Cottage
A sneak peek at
A quick chat with Jude
You might remember her as Jude also says that through
the co-host of 'Sale of the her work she wants to
Century' or, later, as the daily highlight that “just because
host of '5.30 with Jude'. you’re over 70, you’re not
Now, Jude Dobson is about to invisible. There are layers of
become our very own invisibility in society and I’d
Summerset ambassador! like to shine a light on the
fact that retirement villages
Jude will be visiting our
are places of living … I don’t
villages, featuring in
think retirement villages are
marketing material and also
quiet!
writing her own column for us
in Summerset Scene, starting
“If you’re in a supportive
from our next edition.
environment, like
Jude is a “people person” and
Summerset villages, you
is most looking forward to Clark Cottage, also
meeting with Summerset have some control of your known as Duke House,
residents over the coming destiny." is a beautiful
year. “I really love finding out early-1900s building
“You don’t want life to happen at Summerset at
stories about people,” she
to you. You want to have Monterey Park in
says. “People are always
some ability to morph it and Hobsonville, Auckland.
interesting, and what I enjoy
shape it the way you want.
about older people is finding The project to restore
Where you live is pretty
out what they’ve done in their the classic home to its
crucial to that.”
lives.” former glory has been
underway since the
Tea or coffee? "I’ve never drunk Beach or pool? "I love the beach, beginning of the year,
tea, much to my mother’s but a pool is just easier. There’s and Clark Cottage will
despair! A self-confessed “coffee somewhere to put my glass of be reopening for
girl”, Jude adds that the day her wine, too." residents’ use at the
mother died, she decided to end of September.
Indoors or outdoors? "Indoors,
drink tea in her honour. She
because being outdoors for me In this exciting sneak
recalls buying a little china cup
has connotations with camping peek, the rooms are
and saucer, going home and
– and that’s definitely not me." coming to life and the
making herself a brew. “I now
Spend or save? "I’m a saver. I’ve exposed brickwork is
have an affinity for a cup once a Check out some videos
got the old KiwiSaver, and you beaming after a good
year. Mum loved a good cup of of Jude getting to know
look at it and go, ‘That’s good, I clean. The roof is nearly
tea.”" our residents at:
should do more saving.’ It’s quite completed, too!
Cat or dog? "Definitely dog!"
nice when you see tangible
Lark or night owl? "Night owl. I things, isn’t it?" Summerset.co.nz/Jude
think that comes from having
Cook or eat out? "I like cooking,
three children, and the only time
though I do prefer to eat out.
you used to get to yourself was
I love it when someone else
late at night."
cooks."
10 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue Summerset Scene | Spring Issue 11
BUSINESS
Community Connect –
bridging the generation gap over tech
Community Connect is a new Thanks to the students, Alan Thom
Summerset initiative that not only now knows how to use his smartphone; Wellington’s newest Take it away
helps residents tackle their and in turn he imparted some very Summerset village Summerset is a carbon-neutral organisation,
technology challenges, but also helpful career advice about the pros
The land for Summerset on the meaning we are both reducing and offsetting
fosters intergenerational and cons of having a formal
Landing in Kenepuru was our carbon emissions.
relationships in the community. accounting qualification.
purchased in 2017 and the first To cut down on waste from takeaway hot drinks
The project is currently being “The boys are very good,” says Lila
phase is now complete! Our first at our in-house cafés, customers who buy
piloted at Summerset at the Course Gillies, who has learned how to use
residents are moving into their new coffee or tea to go are invited to bring along
in collaboration with students from the Internet and take photos.
homes in mid-November. their own cup. This can be anything from a keep
St Patrick's College, Silverstream.
“They really bring a fresh approach cup to your favourite Wedgewood china!
The pupils come to the village to The centrally located village has
to computers. They’re just so
help troubleshoot a range of excellent transport links to In addition to doing good for the environment,
natural with it.”
technological niggles – from online Wellington and is close to local patrons will also get 50¢ off the cost of the
shopping to making Bluetooth work Maureen and Barry Cappleman had amenities and Porirua’s North City beverage.
in the car. their Apple ID account set up by Shopping Centre.
someone they met on a cruise ship
Tobias Macintosh, a year 13 student Once complete, the village will
but had no idea what their log-in
who taught Trentham resident Pat have over 300 homes, including a
details were. The students helped
Owen how to shop online, says he mix of villas, cottages, serviced
them get in touch with Apple
enjoys sharing his knowledge. apartments and care rooms – as
Support and even came back a few
well as our award-winning memory
“I know personally the struggle that days later to show them how to
care centre. For recreation,
some of my family members can reset their password from the email
residents will be able to enjoy our
have with technology,” he says. Apple Support sent through.
Divine Café, an indoor swimming
“Having family overseas myself, I Following on from the success of and spa pool, a beauty salon and an
know that it can mean a lot to be the pilot, Community Connect will all-weather bowling green.
able to communicate and do things be rolled out to Summerset villages
We look forward to getting to know
– [I do this] so that others can have where no technology initiative is yet
our brand-new residents and
the opportunity.” in place.
featuring some fascinating life
For everyone involved, the stories from Kenepuru in future
experience is a rewarding one. issues of 'Summerset Scene'!
12 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue Summerset Scene | Spring Issue 13
Surrounded by friends and family, Charles was
personally presented with the medal by the French
Ambassador to New Zealand, Her Excellency Ms
Sylvaine Carta-Le Vert. The ceremony took place at
Summerset down the Lane, where Charles now resides.
“I couldn’t believe it, really, it’s an honour,” Charles says.
To mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the French
government decided to honour all veterans who took
part in the liberation of France during the Second
World War – including Englishman Charles, who was in
the Royal Navy. He was stationed on an anti-aircraft
ship during the conflict.
“In a Europe of peace, built by the sacrifice of your generation, we must not
forget the message of the veterans,” Carta-Le Vert said in a commemorative
speech. “You taught us a lesson, which we must strive to pass on.”
Among his heroic achievements, the 96-year-old
veteran has been acknowledged for picking up
survivors from a sinking Norwegian cruiser that had
been attacked. However, Charles remains humble,
saying he is no hero. “I just had a job to do, so I did it.”
Originally from Kent, Charles was a firewatcher in
London during the Blitz. It was his job to look for fires
THE
from a high vantage point. As the war went on, he
enlisted in the Royal Marines and was trained as a
GREATEST
gunner on LCF(L) 42, a landing craft designed to
transport troops from sea to shore.
On D-Day, he recalls patrolling the beaches and
escorting the landing soldiers, then later being
HONOUR
stationed at Sword Beach for three weeks under enemy
fire. The whole operation was top secret, Charles adds,
saying that only the captain knew what was going on
in the lead-up to D-Day.
It was Charles’s sergeant major who convinced him to
BY JANAN JEDRZEJEWSKI move to New Zealand, saying it was “a beautiful
country to live in”. After careful consideration, Charles
Hamilton resident Charles Willoughby has emigrated in the 1950s.
been awarded the Légion d’honneur, the “It took me a while before I made up my mind,” he
highest French military and civil order of says. “I came to New Zealand, but I went back to the
CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE | Charles with
merit, for his involvement in the Normandy UK. Then, I returned to New Zealand, this time meeting the French ambassador; Charles's medal; Charles
a lovely Māori girl. I married her, and she gave me 10 surrounded by friends, three of his children and
landings – otherwise known as D-Day. six grandchildren; Charles with Village Manager
lovely children.” Joanna Smith, the French ambassador, and Care
Centre Manager Jenny Ballantyne.
14 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue Summerset Scene | Spring Issue 15
Reel
talent BY JANAN JEDRZEJEWSKI
A few talented Summerset at Aotea residents put their craftwork on display at
the village earlier this year, alongside the Mana Embroiderers’ Guild. Residents
Mina Thomas and Marie Trethowen were two contributors, who stopped to chat
about their love of the art.
Mina holds up a frame. An earthy green certificates, she decided to teach. “I was told I
background contrasts with delicate pinkish needed to get qualified, so I did a London City
petal-shaped leaves of fabric overlapping to & Guilds [course] in 1983 by correspondence. I
create not only a flower, but also a homage to had to sit the exam in a garage in Newlands.”
her late mother. “It’s from my mother’s sari,”
Mina, now 80, ended up teaching throughout
she says. “She lived in India".
New Zealand – and loved it. She became the
“I started embroidering when I was about education officer for what is now knowns as
seven or eight years old. It’s a time when the Association of New Zealand Embroiderers’
everybody tries a little bit of embroidery,” she Guilds (1986–88), and also hosted English and
says, laughing. American tutors.
It was while she was working at Ilott Advertising
“I think my mother was as a secretary in 1956 that Mina met her future
husband. At the time, however, workplace
encouraging me to do romances were frowned upon, so Mina decided
‘ladylike’ things instead she should be the one to leave. This
inadvertently led to her meeting the original
of being the tomboy that Kiwi celebrity chef. “I started working at Lever
I was.” Brothers,” Mina says, “and who should turn up
but Tui Flower?”
In fact, Mina found she had a flair for embroidery Mina worked as Tui’s secretary from 1957 to 1959,
and soon went from student to educator. She and the two women remained good friends.
went to embroidery classes at Wellington High FROM CLOCKWISE | Marie's Lady in white and Gather ye
rosebuds while you may; Marie holding her Boreas; Mina's
School in 1979, and after completing five
Precious memories; Mina holding her work of flowers and
lilly pads; Mina's Japanese lantern
16 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue Summerset Scene | Spring Issue 17“Tui was lovely,” she recalls. “She would come up [to my home in Eastbourne,
Wellington] and we would have cooking weekends. She would teach me
whatever I wanted to cook, especially things I didn’t quite know about, with
French-sounding names. It was brilliant.”
In an interesting twist of fate, Tui later married the editor of the 'Auckland Star',
where Mina’s father once held a job. “I was born in Dundee in Scotland,” Mina
explains. “We came out to New Zealand the day after war was declared. We
landed on Labour Day and my father was a printer for the 'Auckland Star'.”
On the opposite side of the exhibition, 80-year-old Marie Trethowen stands
next to her embroidered version of 'Boreas', a Pre-Raphaelite-style oil
painting by the English artist John William Waterhouse. It’s a masterpiece
that took her three years to complete.
Marie spotted the image of Boreas while
she was flicking through a needlework
magazine. Her husband said he liked the
picture, hinting that they had a wedding
anniversary coming up soon. “So, what
could I do, but produce it?” Marie says.
“Once he said that, I had to make it.”
Like Mina, Marie has a lifelong love affair with the art of
embroidery. She joined the Wellington Embroiderers’ Guild in the
early 1970s and the Mana Embroiderers’ Guild in 2000, and now
belongs to both.
“I just like the results.
Although she needs a magnifying glass to see her work these
days, Marie still perseveres. “I just like the results. I like doing it.
It keeps my brain active. I do a lot of crosswords in the paper and
I like doing it. It keeps my
things like that. I can’t sit and watch TV.”
Having her passion to lean on also helped Marie significantly
during her husband’s illness. She looked after him for eight
brain active”
years, and for the last two or three he was mostly housebound.
“I couldn’t leave him for more than an hour at a time,” she
recalls, “and if I hadn’t had embroidery, I would have gone nuts.”
“I always had something to do at home. I couldn’t go out - Marie
much and it just kept me going.”
OPPOSITE PAGE | Marie's embroidered interpreation of Boreas
18 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue Summerset Scene | Spring Issue 19Bristling with Pat’s fondness for hedgehogs started when she
lived on a 5-acre citrus and kiwifruit orchard in
Tauranga. The small spiny mammals used to fall
When Pat’s aunt passed away in 1965, leaving
her £400 (equivalent to $14,427 in today’s
money), she used her inheritance to do
knowledge
through the cattle grid on the property, and Pat something she’d been told she couldn’t do for
recalls fishing them out (alive, happily) several 23 years – learn to fly a plane.
times a week, and even spotting a number of
Pat went flying nearly every morning, leaving
white ones. She even had a pet hedgehog
the afternoons free for university lectures.
named Prickles.
Within six months, she’d gained her private
pilot’s licence. Her schedule, and also her
“night owl” nature, meant she could easily slot
in some evening study of hedgehogs, which
BY JANAN JEDRZEJEWSKI are nocturnal animals. Pat was able to monitor
Summerset at Wigram resident Pat the feeding behaviour of the four she had in
captivity.
Campbell is a 'doctor of hedgehogs'
who became a pilot when few women DURING HER STUDIES, PAT LEARNED THAT At one time, Pat had a registered private museum
flew, and once had her own private in the study of the house she shared with her late
HEDGEHOGS ARE “QUITE SUPPLE LITTLE
husband, Alistair. It showcased some items
museum with some items on loan ANIMALS” THAT CAN CLIMB WALLS, ARE
loaned to her from the Department of
from the Department of Conservation. SMART, AND ARE VERY GOOD SWIMMERS.
Conservation. She returned these objects in 2016
Answering the door on a brisk June afternoon, Pat says she owes her career and successes when she downsized for her move to Summerset.
Pat proudly sports quite possibly the plushest later in life, in part, to many of the women
hedgehog slippers ever made. More themed around her. However, in her formative years,
ornaments await inside, from hedgehogs she was held back from her ambitions of being
created from crystal, to brass ashtrays, to her an airline pilot or a vet. “No women [in those
favourite – a large and irresistibly cuddly fields], cripes no,” she says. “I was just totally
Steiff-brand soft toy. discouraged everywhere. In those days there
In 1968, Pat started a four-year assistant were no women in the air force.
lectureship at Lincoln College (now Lincoln “Actually, I nearly joined the RAF in Britain, but
University) in Canterbury. There, she taught discovered I wouldn’t get to do any flying, and
animal ecology and wildlife management, I’d have to get up at six in the morning and
alongside completing a PhD in animal ecology, that’s not my thing – so I definitely didn’t.
specialising in hedgehogs. She then taught
“Then I wanted to be a vet, and in those days
wool science at Lincoln for the remainder of
you had to go to Sydney or Brisbane, which I
her career, up until 1999.
couldn’t afford. Also, they didn’t really want
women, so again, I didn’t become a vet.”
ABOVE | A small glimpse of Pat's personal collection of
The 77-year-old says her luck changed when she hedgehog-themed ornaments
went to Otago University to read zoology under
Professor Beryl Brewin, an “amazing lady” who “[The museum] wasn’t open to the public but
became her mentor. we’d show our friends. I had lots of shells, birds’
eggs, crabs’ backs, model aircraft and tanks,
“Through Beryl, I was a guinea pig in the BSc
rocks, minerals, stamps, coins, British Bond tea
honours class, transferring to the very first
cards. You name it, I had it.”
four-year degree at Otago. This meant I could
go straight on to a PhD, which ultimately I Biting into an Anzac biscuit and sipping on a
wanted to do. I would never have got in without freshly made cup of Earl Grey tea, Pat pauses
her help.” By 1966, Pat had an animal ecology to think. “I’ve had an interesting life,” she says,
degree and a postgraduate diploma in wildlife smiling.
management.
20 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue Summerset Scene | Spring Issue 21S TA F F P R O F I L E
Nathan
McPherson BY JANAN JEDRZEJEWSKI
Project manager for Summerset’s new village build in Avonhead is Nathan McPherson,
whose foray into construction has been varied and interesting, involving carpentry, building
boozers and a little bit of blackjack.
After high school, Nathan went to work at the doing supported something else. There’s a
Crown Casino in his home city of Melbourne for rationale to everything. Cause and effect.”
two years. His ambition was to go into
Nathan relocated to New Zealand at the end of
landscaping, until a car accident one foggy
July last year with his Kiwi fiancée, Cara, a
morning in 1999 set him on a different path.
native of Christchurch. He describes Summerset’s
Needing multiple reconstructive hip surgeries,
Avonhead village as being “not far off” his
he was advised to take light-duty work, so
dream project, providing him the opportunity
turned his sights to an electrical apprenticeship.
to build a great team, who together will
Finding the day-to-day job too repetitive, he
construct homes that will stand the test of time.
sidestepped into a carpentry apprenticeship in
2003. Just two years later, he was appointed “I like complex, fast-paced projects with
foreman. numerous work faces,” he says. “Avonhead is
definitely a project of this nature.
Nathan moved up the construction ladder onto
larger-scale developments, including a $20 “It’s a nice reward seeing people moving in and
million pub complex, increasing his on-the-job hearing the feedback on the high quality of
project management skills as he went. He finish. I can still hear my foreman’s words
explains that he loves working in construction today: ‘If you wouldn’t accept it in your place,
for the same reason he wanted to go into don’t leave it in someone else’s.’ It was
landscaping – tangible results. something that was drilled into me as an
“I like the variety of work. I like that you start a
apprentice, and is a piece of advice I pass on “I can still hear my
to others.”
job on just a vacant bit of land, and every day
you leave, you can see the change that has
foreman’s words today:
As for the future, he says it’s about investing in
been made. You see the fruits of your labour, people. “I get real satisfaction from developing ‘If you wouldn’t accept it N AT H A N I S P R OJ E C T
MANAGER FOR THE NEW
in your place, don’t leave
and that’s very rewarding. teams, like at Avonhead, and mentoring others,
S U M M E R S E T AT AV O N H E A D
more than the hands-on aspect of being able to
“Carpentry was my passion and I found it very
interesting. I particularly loved the structural
drive past something and say, ‘I built that.’
it in someone else’s.’ ”
side of carpentry, because everything you’re “It’s about seeing your people succeed.”
22 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue Summerset Scene | Spring Issue 23Nelson
1ST PLACE - 'THE CHASE' 2ND PLACE - 'THE MILKY WAY'
OUR
NEWS
fashion show
wows for sixth
year running
Waste to Waist is an innovative together… all this creativity is really 3RD JOINT - 'SACHET RESCUE'
fashion show for residents – by fantastic and makes our Summerset a
residents – in Nelson that takes very vibrant place to live. We love it!”
everyday discarded items and turns
them into beautiful catwalk-worthy
AND THE WINNERS ARE…
outfits.
The brainchild of resident Gwytha All creations were judged by Karren
France, the show keeps going from Richards, who has taught textiles
strength to strength. for 25 years at the Nelson College
for Girls. Photos were taken by
This year saw a record 19 resident-
Summerset in the Sun resident Ian
created entries, compared to nine at
Grant.
the debut show. The event is always a
sell-out, and this year was no 1st Place: The Chase, designed by
Russell France and modelled by
exception, with all 230 tickets being
Darren Steer (from the property
snapped up within two hours.
team). Venetian blind slats,
“This year, I was thrilled to have our polystyrene, rubber tubing, and 3 RDJOINT - 'ELEVENS MA-AM' COMMENDED -' PLASTIC FANTASTIC'
care centre make an outfit called The tumblers.
Wedding Frock,” Gwytha says. “All the
2nd Place: The Milky Way, Gwytha
efforts are totally appreciated by the
France. Made from over 100 milk
audience. The smiles and laughs at bottles cut into shapes.
the show are so rewarding.”
3rd Places: Elevens Ma-am and
On show night, Gwytha adds, the Sachet Rescue, both by Joan
entrants are already excitedly planning Kundycki. Coffee sachets.
their designs for the following year.
Commended: Plastic Fantastic,
“I really enjoy seeing folks Colleen Hughes. Milk bottle tops.
collaborating, pooling ideas, working
EDITOR'S CHOICE
PATRICA SCOTT - 'HOT OFF THE PRESS'
24 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue Summerset Scene | Spring Issue 25Whangarei
Two new
North Island
villages planned
Summerset will be building new
villages in Cambridge and Whangarei
following the purchase of land.
The 8ha Cambridge property is on
Laurent Road, less than 2km from
Cambridge town centre and close to
local parks and racetracks.
“Cambridge is a popular and a
long-established retirement
CAP funding: Manukau caregiver returns to nursing destination,” says Summerset CEO
Julian Cook, “and will provide a
Manukau Caregiver Jefferson Galiza is the he says. “I’ve missed helping other people tranquil setting for a retirement
latest recipient of Summerset’s Competency when they need you most, being at the bedside village.
Assessment Programme (CAP) funding of patients, seeing how they are recovering, Cambridge
scheme, which helps six staff a year gain their and helping them emotionally and physically.”
New Zealand nursing registration. "OUR NEW CAMBRIDGE
Lynda Irvine, Head of Clinical, says registered
VILLAGE WILL PROVIDE A
Jefferson has more than nine years of nursing nurses from other countries may be required to
experience under his belt. Originally from the undertake competency training in New Zealand
RURAL ‘SMALL TOWN’
Philippines, he worked in local public hospitals to receive registration here. This can be very ALTERNATIVE TO OUR
in 2006, before heading off to Qatar two years expensive, with fees costing anywhere up to HAMILTON VILLAGES IN
later to continue his career. Then, in February $10,500. After paying out $15,000 for his FITZROY AND ROTOTUNA.”
2017, he relocated to New Zealand and trained diploma, Jefferson says he couldn’t afford to
for his Level 7 diploma. fund future study himself.
The 11ha Whangarei property has
Jefferson is excited about resuming his nursing “I’m so honoured, happy and lucky,” he says.
stunning views west across the
career at Summerset, helping residents at “And I’m grateful there is a company like
Whau Valley towards Pukenui Forest.
Summerset by the Park. “I’ve missed nursing,” Summerset that’s willing to support me. It’s nice.” To find out
The Mt Denby championship golf
more about these
course is next door. This 18-hole
Thank you for your feedback!
course has a café and bar, and villages, visit our
Earlier this year we sent out a survey village featured. Rest assured, we will
asking you how you’re getting on with continue to get a good mix of villages in
coaching available for people wanting website:
Summerset Scene – thank you all for your coming editions! to improve their game. summerset.co.nz
responses.
We’ve also been listening to your A supermarket, medical centre and
We’re ecstatic that you’re enjoying suggestions about what you’d like to see pharmacy are just some of the
reading residents’ stories just as much as and how we can improve our content. So,
amenities on offer at the Paramount
we’re enjoying sharing them. We’re even expect to see a few tweaks and changes
more excited that so many of you love the coming soon. Plaza shopping area, which is an easy
Summerset life so much, you want your 300m stroll from the entrance to the
Whangarei village.
26 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue Summerset Scene | Spring Issue 27Papamoa village named
Summerset by the Dunes
Our new village in Papamoa, near Tauranga, Summerset by the Dunes will be built on
has officially been named Summerset by the ancestral land bought from local iwi, Te Kapu Ō
Dunes. Waitaha.
Summerset by the Dunes is due to launch in Before the start of development, a blessing of
early 2020, and the first stage of the village is the site was conducted by Waitaha. A karakia
expected to be ready for new residents from was held to acknowledge Waitaha iwi’s historical
mid-2020. connection to the land, of which they are
guardians.
There will be five neighbourhoods in the village
and they’ve been named after native or
common dune plantations: Toetoe, Toroheke, Iwi kaumātua (elder) Tapua Te Amo
Hinarepe, Harakeke, and Kōwhangatara. led the ceremony, along with other
iwi members, Mayor of Tauranga,
Greg Brownless, and senior
More staff travel voucher Summerset staff.
winners announced Summerset is providing scholarships to young
adults from Waitaha iwi for health-related
Summerset holds a prize draw every quarter,
training, providing opportunities for them to
presenting a $3,000 travel voucher to each of three
For Amarpreet, the voucher work in the village in the future.
randomly chosen staff members. This is a way of
means she can visit her home
thanking our staff for everything they do to bring the
of Amritsar, India, with her
best of life to our residents.
husband and son.
The latest winners are Ariane had promised her
Dunedin Gardener Martin children a trip to
Bergmans, New Plymouth Singapore to visit
Housekeeper Amarpreet Universal Studios. Now,
Kaur and Wigram their dream will come
Caregiver Ariane Ortanez. true sooner.
“I don’t even have a Previous winner Layna, a
passport,” laughs Martin, caregiver in Hobsonville,
who hasn’t travelled has already used her
overseas for 20 years. voucher. She gave it to
Being a gardener, he says her older sister so she
his instinct is to go can travel to the UK to be Tauranga Mayor Brownless,
somewhere “botanical”, with their youngest sister, Julian Cook and Kaumatua
with Tasmania’s national who is expecting her first Tapua Te Amo of Te Kapu Ō
parks at the top of the list. child. ABOVE | Martin receiving his voucher Waitaha iwi on site at Papamoa
28 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue Summerset Scene | Spring Issue 29DELICIOUS
RECIPES
S A V O U R
SPRING R E C I P E S BY JA N B I LTO N
IT’S SPRING! TIME TO SWAP To store asparagus, wrap the
spears in wet paper towels, put
SPRING SALAD
SOUPS FOR SALADS, AND TO
carefully in an unsealed plastic SERVES 4
ENTERTAIN YOUR FRIENDS
bag and place in the refrigerator.
WITH COLOURFUL LIGHTER Use the asparagus as soon as Diced cucumber or capsicum can also be added to this delicious salad, and you can
TREATS AT BREEZY SOIRÉES. possible, before it turns bitter. line serving bowl with two or three lettuce leaves. If preparing the dish ahead, squeeze
lemon juice over the avocado to stop it from going brown.
Strawberries need little
Freshly picked asparagus offers embellishment. You can mash
the best taste and maximum them and combine the purée INGREDIENTS METHOD
goodness. If the buds on the with whipped cream to top
1/2 cup small shell pasta or similar Cook the pasta in a large saucepan of boiling
ends have started to open, it pavlovas and fill éclairs. They
8 stalks asparagus, trimmed salted water until al dente. Drain well.
indicates that the vegetable was also work well with savoury
picked when it was too mature, flavours, drizzled with a little 400g peeled, cooked, deveined prawns Blanch the asparagus in boiling water until
and it may be tough. If the white good-quality balsamic vinegar 1/2 cup ranch or Caesar dressing tender but still with some bite. Drain and
ends extend too far up the stem, and served with mascarpone, refresh in icy water to retain the bright
1 large spring onion, diced
then the asparagus was picked or with a slice of runny Brie in a green colour.
too early. 3 radishes, quartered
crisp, warm croissant.
1 large avocado, halved, stoned, Combine the prawns with 2 tablespoons of
peeled and sliced the dressing. Place in a bowl with the pasta,
1/4 cup each of mint leaves asparagus, spring onion, radishes, avocado
and chopped parsley and herbs. Gently toss. Drizzle with the
remaining dressing just before serving.
30 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue Summerset Scene | Spring Issue 31GLUTEN-FREE
Replace the gluten-free
flour with plain flour if
you want.
BUFFALO CHICKEN STRAWBERRY CRUNCH STACK
SERVES 4 SERVES 4
Buffalo chicken is usually fried, but here it is baked instead. Buttermilk ensures the chicken is It may look like a Christmas delight, but this spring sweet treat heralds the beginning
very tender – and can also be used in place of milk in bakes or smoothies. For the uninitiated, of the strawberry season. Easy and quick to prepare for your guests, this stack makes
sriracha is chilli sauce that has become very popular in recent years. the most of fresh, flavoursome, healthy berries. Enjoy!
INGREDIENTS METHOD INGREDIENTS METHOD
500g skinned and boned chicken breasts, Combine the marinade ingredients and pour 8 medium meringues Lightly crush the meringues with the palm of
cut into 4 equal lengths over the chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at 3/4 cup cream your hand. Whip the cream and icing sugar
least an hour. until thick.
MARINADE 2 tablespoons icing sugar
3/4 cup buttermilk
Preheat oven to 220°C. Lightly oil a baking pan. 8 medium strawberries, hulled and halved To make the coulis, place the 6 strawberries
1 clove garlic, crushed
and icing sugar in a blender and mix until
pinch of chilli powder (optional) Combine the coating ingredients in a bowl. COULIS
6 strawberries, hulled smooth.
Shake any excess marinade from the chicken
freshly ground black pepper to taste and chopped
pieces, then dip each in the coating to cover. Form a 16cm-diameter base for your dessert
COATING
1/4 cup ground almonds Place in a single layer in the baking pan. 2 tablespoons icing sugar on a serving plate using roughly half the
1/2 cup gluten-free flour Spray with oil, if preferred. GARNISH crushed meringues. Top with a third of the
small mint leaves
salt and pepper to taste halved strawberries, drizzle with a little of the
Bake for 15–20 minutes, until cooked and
Strawberries coulis and then add the cream. Repeat twice.
1/2 teaspoon paprika golden.
Top with extra strawberries and garnish with
pinch of chilli powder
Combine the sriracha and olive oil, and mint leaves to bring out the colour.
SAUCE
1/2 cup sriracha or other chilli sauce drizzle over the chicken just before serving.
Tip: This dessert can be prepared about three
2 tablespoons olive oil hours ahead and refrigerated.
32 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue Summerset Scene | Spring Issue 33A RT I C L E BY LY N DA H A L L I N A N In my dog-eared copy of ‘The Young Wife's
IN THE Cookery Book', a practical and popular wedding
GARDEN gift for newlyweds in the 1960s, the novice
housewife was urged to use fresh parsley
Pots of flavour
‘lavishly’, whereas dried rosemary, sage, and
thyme came with a warning to use sparingly,
lest their aromatic flavours overpower the dish.
Although rosemary and mint were commonly
grown in New Zealand – the former to stud into
legs of lamb and the latter to shred into mint
sauce to serve with the traditional Sunday roast
There was a time, only a generation or two ago, when herbs were mainly used as
– more exotic herbs such as coriander, basil,
a garnish in Kiwi cuisine. No potato salad, steakhouse sirloin or café quiche was French tarragon, chervil, dill, and fennel were
safe from the obligatory sprig of curly parsley. considered ‘foreign’ flavours for those, like me,
who were raised on a meat-and-three-veg diet.
How our tastes have changed. Just as the crisp
Iceberg lettuce now competes for salad plate
space with gourmet greens such as arugula,
baby kale, curly endive, and mesclun mixes,
we've come to appreciate all the palate-pleasing
flavours that herbs can bring to the table.
When potting herbs, any type of potting mix
will do. Most herbs, given their Mediterranean
heritage, are surprisingly drought-tolerant and,
as such, thrive on neglect in containers.
Rosemary, sage, and thyme don't mind drying
out between waterings, but keep mint well
watered to promote lush leaf growth. Chervil,
chives, coriander, dill and fennel all prefer
moist soil and some respite from the hottest
summer sun. Basil – that most temperamental
of Italian prima donnas – likes it both ways, hot
on top but with a cool root run.
For a constant supply of fresh herbs for your
kitchen, regular clipping is essential. Without a
seasonal haircut, woody herbs such as
rosemary build up bitter volatile oils, lavender
gets lanky and creeping thymes develop bald
For small plants that don't take up much space spots. Annual herbs such as dill and coriander
in a garden, herbs pack an outsized punch of are here for a good time, not a long time, so
flavour. Chives, no wider than a blade of lawn don't feel like a failure if they bolt to seed
grass, add a dash of oniony goodness to a prematurely. Just sow some more.
breakfast omelette or cheese scone, while a
As well as culinary herbs, there are herbs for
single feathery fennel frond tickles your
healing – aloe vera for minor cuts and burns,
tastebuds with an unadulterated dose of aniseed.
Summerset Scene | Spring Issue 35chamomile for a calm sleep, and evening
Spring
ARTICLE BY MELISSA WASTNEY
primrose for frazzled hormones. There are also CRAFT
gardening
herbs for amusing your pets. No cat can resist CORNER
a roll in a clump of catnip, whereas rue repels
checklist
unwelcome cats and canines.
PLANT BLUE-AND PURPLE-
FLOWERED HERBS, SUCH AS
• Replace tired winter pansies
A PLACE IN THE SUN
and polyanthus with seedlings Celebrate the sun as it shines
BORAGE, LAVENDER, SAGE, AND
for spring and summer colour. through your window on longer
THYME, TO BRING IN POLLINATING
Sow or plant cornflowers, spring days with one of these
BEES, BUTTERFLIES AND OTHER
cosmos, forget-me-nots, pretty sun-catchers. They also
BENEFICIAL INSECTS.
lobelias, larkspurs, and make a lovely gift for a friend.
petunias.
Your sun-catchers can be
For a pop of year-round colour, the little Mexican
marigold 'Tagetes lemmonii' has the Midas
• Sow fragrant sweet peas to as simple or elaborate as you
touch. This shrubby herb, with aromatic clamber up trellises or try the wish. The examples below use
lemon-scented foliage, is always smothered in cute dwarf 'Cupid' in pots. pressed flowers, a fern and
edible golden daisies. coloured tissue paper. Use
• Don't tie your daffodils in knots
whatever you have to hand!
when they finish flowering – let
them die down naturally to
Supplies Method
feed the bulbs for next year.
• Feed and mulch rose bushes Bowl (to trace around) Step 1: Place the bowl top the tissue paper sun-catcher, I
and start your spraying regime. A4 medium-weight card down onto the piece of card used watercolour paint on
and trace around it. Cut this both sides of a piece of white
Pencil or pen
• When the soil warms up, give shape out from the centre of tissue paper (let one side dry
established trees and shrubs an Scissors
the card, so the edges remain before painting the other). I
annual pick-me-up with Clear self-adhesive book intact and you are left with a then tore the paper into
covering framed circular hole. similar-sized pieces.
good-quality slow-release
Hole punch
fertiliser. Step 2: Cut two pieces of Step 4: When your design is
Short piece of string, or self-adhesive book covering complete, add the second
• Prepare vegetable plots for the cellotape that are of a similar size to piece of clear seal to
main growing season ahead. Pressed flowers, tissue paper your card. Take one of these sandwich the materials inside.
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. I grow all Sow beetroot, carrots and and watercolour paint pieces and remove the paper You can smooth over the film
these old favourites, as well as more obscure backing. Carefully lay it on a with your fingers to remove
lettuce, and mound up the soil
flavours such as lemon bergamot and lovage. flat surface with the sticky any ripples or air bubbles, but
for spud planting. Wait until
My fondness for this classic quartet dates back side facing up. Centre and don’t worry if it’s not perfectly
Labour Day weekend to sow press the card frame over the flat – this will depend on the
to childhood. The traditional English ballad,
‘Scarborough Fair’, was one of the first songs I beans, pumpkins and contact paper, smoothing the materials used.
learned to play on the piano, and the only song courgettes direct, and edges.
Step 5: Cut around the circle
I remember singing in our primary school choir. transplant tomatoes. Step 3: Press your materials frame, leaving an edge of
I still know all the words. Not only are these onto the sticky plastic 3–4cm. Use a hole punch and
four herbs my perennial must-haves in the showing through the centre of some cord to make a hanging
garden, they’re embedded like a bouquet garni your frame in whatever loop, or simply tape your new
in my brain. arrangement you like. To make sun-catcher to your window.
36 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue Summerset Scene | Spring Issue 37REVIEWS BY NZ BOOKLOVERS
W W W. N Z B O O K L O V E R S .C O. N Z
BOOK
REVIEWS
D U B ROV N I K M Y LOV E BY SUZ A N N E B RO O KS - P I N Č E V I Č T H E B E L LS O F O L D TO K YO BY A N N A S H E R M A N
'Dubrovnik My Love' is a page-turning read, based on a true story. After 'The Bells of Old Tokyo' is a book about both the past and the present
the Second World War, Croatia, then part of Yugoslavia, is under Josip – you might simply call it a book about culture. Author Anna Sherman
Tito’s Communist dictatorship. Gaspar, a young man in his prime, is takes us on an anecdotal ride through the city of Tokyo then and now
sickened by the corruption and persecution. Yearning for a freer life, he – back to the Edo period in the time of the shoguns, to the civil war, to
risks everything to escape across the Adriatic to the West, but his the Second World War and into the 21st century.
attempts are thwarted at every turn. Finally, he makes it to the shores
She holds our attention with tales told at out-of-the-way coffee bars, of
of Italy. But being a refugee has its own set of challenges, and while
burning fires and of ancient loss, and she involves us in stories of
Gaspar encounters romance in Italy, he also faces intense frustration.
modern art and earthquakes.
Gaspar then emigrates to Australia, but even there he can’t escape the
Tokyo is one of the biggest and fastest-moving cities in the world.
long arm of the Yugoslav secret agents and he decides to go to New
Sherman’s journey is geographical – but it is also very personal, full of
Zealand. But will he find the peace, love and happiness he seeks?
interesting incidents and people. You don’t have to know anything
Author Suzanne Brooks-Pinčevič has done a superb job of fictionalising about Japan to get a sense of the place.
her husband’s extraordinary story of survival. Her narrative brings the
'The Bells of Old Tokyo' is recommended for anyone going to Tokyo, or
right balance of historical fact and detail, a beautiful sense of place,
who wants to take the chance to travel virtually. A fascinating read.
palpable tension and a little bit of romance as well.
Leon Publications | RRP $34.99
Macmillan | RRP $37.99
T H E S PA N I S H P RO M I S E BY K A R E N SWA N T H E R EC I P E BY J OS H E M ET T
In 'The Spanish Promise', Karen Swan transports the reader to modern Josh Emett is an internationally acclaimed Kiwi chef who has worked in
Spain, and also back in time to the Spanish Civil War. Michelin-starred restaurants around the world and is a 'MasterChef
New Zealand' judge. He says his love of food started when he was a
Charlotte Fairfax works as a wealth counsellor, helping her clients
child growing up on a dairy farm in New Zealand.
navigate the emotional effects of suddenly coming into a significant
amount of money. One of Spain’s richest old men, Carlos Mendoza, is 'The Recipe' is the ultimate cooking companion for the home cook.
dying, but his family is shocked to discover that he is planning to give “These are the recipes that you must cook at least once in your life,”
away his wealth to a young woman they have never heard of. Emett says.
Charlotte goes to Madrid to get to the bottom of this mysterious Emett has selected the most iconic and beloved dishes from the past
situation. There she finds the young woman in question, Marina, who 50 years. There are more than 300 recipes from 150 of the world’s
denies knowing anything about the dying man or his generous gift. finest chefs and cooks, including Al Brown, Gordon Ramsay, Rick Stein
and Peter Gordon.
Being forced to dig deeper into history, Charlotte uncovers a family
brutally divided by Spain’s civil war, and of a love affair that ended in Each recipe has been painstakingly re-created, with additional notes
unimaginable tragedy. from Emett, and is complemented by images from award-winning
Upstart Press | RRP $49.99 photographer Kieran E. Scott.
'The Recipe' is a handsome, timeless hardback that should grace every
Macmillan | RRP $34.99 kitchen.
38 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue Summerset Scene | Spring Issue 39On the surface, it looks
like the Cupra Ateca MOTORING
has unseated SEAT as
New Zealand’s newest
car brand. But that’s not
d’eêtre' is to deliver all the practicality of a
entirely true. compact SUV (exactly the sort of car many
buyers are opting for these days) but with a bit
Spanish brand SEAT, an acronym for the more zing.
Sociedad Española de Automoviles de Turismo Actually, quite a lot more zing. The turbo petrol
(or Spanish Society of Cars), has been in the four-cylinder engine under the bonnet is good
Volkswagen family since the mid-1980s. for a heady 221kW (or nearly 300hp in old
Aside from a small toe-in-water batch of early- money). It feels roomy, despite its relatively
1990s-era models brought into New Zealand 20 diminutive footprint, and offers a distinct point
years ago, the SEAT nameplate’s ‘proper’ arrival of difference to more expensive sports-themed
in our part of the world was in 2018. rivals from the likes of Audi and BMW.
Now, though, New Zealand’s newest car brand If you like the feisty exterior styling, you’ll be
has become Its second-newest car brand. The pleased with the interior too. There’s plenty of
new newest car brand, however, happens to be premium Alcantara trim and faux carbon fibre
an offshoot of the previous newest car brand. and the seats are well bolstered and very
comfortable. The boot offers between 485 and
The compact SUV on these pages features a
1,579 litres of luggage space, depending on
newly minted badge: the Cupra Ateca. Cupra
whether the rear bench is in place or folded flat.
is the sub-name that SEAT has traditionally
reserved for its especially 'hot' hot hatches, Despite all the sporty stuff, you don’t need to
the SEAT Leon Cupra being the dynamic case drive everywhere at nine-tenths. Thanks to the
in point. Cupra’s multi-mode driving system, you can
toggle between different set-ups for comfort
Now, though, a shift is taking place, with Cupra
and economy driving, as well as sportier
being marketed from here on out as a stand-alone
driving. Also, because the Cupra Ateca is an
CUPRA
brand. So, the car here is definitely still a SEAT.
all-wheel-drive vehicle, it even has an ‘off-road’
Except that it isn’t.
setting. You’ll never get bogged on wet grass
The Cupra Ateca is heavily based on the SEAT while watching the grandkids play Saturday
Ateca FR compact crossover SUV. Its 'raison sport ever again.
ATECA
ARTICLE BY CAMERON OFFICER
THE STATISTICS
ENGINE: 1,984cc four-cylinder turbo petrol
POWER: 221kW
TORQUE: 400Nm
FUEL ECONOMY: 7.4L/100km
PRICE: $63,900
40 Summerset Scene | Spring Issue Summerset Scene | Spring Issue 41You can also read
