Six of the best
It’s Capital Times birthday, 36 years and still counting, an achievement we are proud of.
Not only is Wellington the creative capital, and increasingly business meetings may take place at cafés but it’s also still a city where the dinner party news and good gossip and sometimes unquotable conversation is highly valued.
To mark the 36 we went for Six of the Best. Six Wellingtonians to each name their dream team, the six people they would most like to gather around the table together. We assumed spouses and partners were included. The result: a fascinating mix – very Wellington.
Anna Dean, Marketing and Communications Manager at the Film Archive among other things...
So impossible to limit to six!
Nancy Wake “The White Mouse” (for the war stories)
Te Rauparaha (for the war stories)
Carmen (for the war stories)
Bruno Lawrence (for the war stories)
Geoff Ross (for the vodka)
Kim Hill (for some sense of order)
And if I can squeeze in one more Al Brown (for the paua fritters)
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Geoff Marsland, Coffee Baron
Firstly my gorgeous wife Baroness Lizzy Marsland the best cook in the world. She creates the most delicious food with love that makes you feel good after you have eaten. She is dynamic sexy and stimulating. And for dessert ice cream and her home made chocolate sauce.
Maida Hume, (deceased) flamboyant fashion designer, retailer and my stepmother, who introduced me to coffee food fashion and music at when I was very young; she was very loud and colourful.
Hemi Cola, my eldest son an academic that likes his food. Wannabe scientist banjo playing Combi van traveller likes intelligent conversation and technology.
Chris Purdy (deceased) a craftsman a sailor a pirate, drowned this time last year loved coming for a roast and drinking my Cuban rum. He is missed around our dinner table at home.
Piper Devon, my middle son pro skateboarder, snowboarder, motor X, madman also loves Mum’s cooking, an ideas man, a showman but gentle when not dancing on the table.
Terence Marsland (deceased) my father, sports promoter, realist, taught me self discipline and good morals. Whenever I irritated him as a kid he would say I can’t wait to meet your boys. He died before the first one was born so to be able to have a dinner party with him and my family would be something I’d love.
Nero Cola my youngest son, an artist, a dreamer, a performer, he is devious and a very slow eater, always the last one to finish his food, likes a beer, very twisted conversation and has been know to stash uneaten food under his bed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maarten Wevers, Chief Executive of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie - you always need humour at a dinner table and these two would make everyone laugh
Also, Ginette McDonald - have many memories of hilarious shows when I was a student at Vic. Lyn of Tawa is an all-time favourite.
Tana Umaga - someone I’ve always admired, great sportsman, leader and someone to provide energy to others
Katherine Mansfield - would love to hear her talk about her Wellington, and find out how it was
and Te Puni, Te Atiawa chief who lived at Petone, and who was instrumental in allowing all of the rest of us to come to this great city. There is a great painting of him at the NZ Post Mail Centre at Te Puni.
I am not sure if this mix of guests would work well together, but I would love to spend time with them all.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tilly Lloyd, co-owner best bookshop, Unity Wellington.
First is Victoria Jones with whom my girlfriend Gloria Hildred talks Wairarapa, Whitireia, digital media and Blue Smoke. George Packard discusses Charles Mingus, close-shaves and airports. Rachel King has agreed to move back to Wellington for this dinner. She debates university presses, magpies and meat pies. Tuipulotu Latu arrives from Braeburn Studio, adds some thoughts about the ‘60s and pauses to write a note with someone’s old kohl pencil. Nick Bollinger enthuses in favour of black rocks, red rocks and repeats (subeditor’s note: Fridays at 2:30 am). And A K Goss (30 July 1952 – 20 October 2009) returns, warming his coffee in a tin mug on top of the firebox. Black, 4 sugars (was cutting down to 3). He continues his afterlife discourse on saltpetre.
These six (seven really) staggeringly interesting locals are good talkers and they’re armed to the teeth with verbs. They are also my imaginary seven-piece Wellington Bass Orchestra. Sometime before the last glass they haul out their cases and cables. They tune up. Sound-check is their first rehearsal and - well they would wouldn’t they - go straight into a 36 minute jazz funk impro piece which might be HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAPITAL TIMES!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Darcy Nicholas, artist, Director of Pataka Museum and Gallery, and General Manager Community Services, Porirua City.
This was much harder than I thought so I made impulsive decisions.
Gillian Deane because she has been so generous in all aspects of her life, sharing her wisdom, knowledge and wealth as wide as possible and being a great supporter for her husband Roderick.
Margaret Trotter for her contribution to the arts, New Zealand way of life and her strong support for her, late husband Sir Ron. She like Gillian Deane has been the strength behind their husbands.
Kara Puketapu - because he has been an absolutely brilliant visionary, innovator, contributor and leader of Maori issues for most of my adult life.
Sir Peter Jackson because of his outstanding drive and contribution to New Zealand and world film industries.
Terry Serepisos - For his energy and contribution to sport and enhancement of the Wellington spirit and way of life.
Sir Harawira Gardiner - For his leadership in many areas of New Zealand society and his huge contribution to the Maori people.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Melissa Moon, long distance runner, World Mountain running champion.
Sister Suzanne Aubert who founded the Soup Kitchen in Wellington 1901, a lady with Compassion at the heart of everything she did, her presence would be something special.
Jermaine Clement
Brett McKenzie , Flight of the Conchords, I love a good laugh and the humour of these two Wellingtonians makes me laugh till my stomach hurts!
Peter Jackson who is such a humble Wellingtonian, with such a creative mind, it would be fascinating to find out the way his detailed mind operates.
Kenny from Courtenay Place, ‘Bring back Kenny’ and his sound system for some background music at dinner!
Jackie Williams, a teaching colleague who taught me the ‘art of teaching’, who had compassion, wisdom and boy could she make me laugh!
Not only is Wellington the creative capital, and increasingly business meetings may take place at cafés but it’s also still a city where the dinner party news and good gossip and sometimes unquotable conversation is highly valued.
To mark the 36 we went for Six of the Best. Six Wellingtonians to each name their dream team, the six people they would most like to gather around the table together. We assumed spouses and partners were included. The result: a fascinating mix – very Wellington.
Anna Dean, Marketing and Communications Manager at the Film Archive among other things...
So impossible to limit to six!
Nancy Wake “The White Mouse” (for the war stories)
Te Rauparaha (for the war stories)
Carmen (for the war stories)
Bruno Lawrence (for the war stories)
Geoff Ross (for the vodka)
Kim Hill (for some sense of order)
And if I can squeeze in one more Al Brown (for the paua fritters)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Geoff Marsland, Coffee Baron
Firstly my gorgeous wife Baroness Lizzy Marsland the best cook in the world. She creates the most delicious food with love that makes you feel good after you have eaten. She is dynamic sexy and stimulating. And for dessert ice cream and her home made chocolate sauce.
Maida Hume, (deceased) flamboyant fashion designer, retailer and my stepmother, who introduced me to coffee food fashion and music at when I was very young; she was very loud and colourful.
Hemi Cola, my eldest son an academic that likes his food. Wannabe scientist banjo playing Combi van traveller likes intelligent conversation and technology.
Chris Purdy (deceased) a craftsman a sailor a pirate, drowned this time last year loved coming for a roast and drinking my Cuban rum. He is missed around our dinner table at home.
Piper Devon, my middle son pro skateboarder, snowboarder, motor X, madman also loves Mum’s cooking, an ideas man, a showman but gentle when not dancing on the table.
Terence Marsland (deceased) my father, sports promoter, realist, taught me self discipline and good morals. Whenever I irritated him as a kid he would say I can’t wait to meet your boys. He died before the first one was born so to be able to have a dinner party with him and my family would be something I’d love.
Nero Cola my youngest son, an artist, a dreamer, a performer, he is devious and a very slow eater, always the last one to finish his food, likes a beer, very twisted conversation and has been know to stash uneaten food under his bed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maarten Wevers, Chief Executive of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie - you always need humour at a dinner table and these two would make everyone laugh
Also, Ginette McDonald - have many memories of hilarious shows when I was a student at Vic. Lyn of Tawa is an all-time favourite.
Tana Umaga - someone I’ve always admired, great sportsman, leader and someone to provide energy to others
Katherine Mansfield - would love to hear her talk about her Wellington, and find out how it was
and Te Puni, Te Atiawa chief who lived at Petone, and who was instrumental in allowing all of the rest of us to come to this great city. There is a great painting of him at the NZ Post Mail Centre at Te Puni.
I am not sure if this mix of guests would work well together, but I would love to spend time with them all.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tilly Lloyd, co-owner best bookshop, Unity Wellington.
First is Victoria Jones with whom my girlfriend Gloria Hildred talks Wairarapa, Whitireia, digital media and Blue Smoke. George Packard discusses Charles Mingus, close-shaves and airports. Rachel King has agreed to move back to Wellington for this dinner. She debates university presses, magpies and meat pies. Tuipulotu Latu arrives from Braeburn Studio, adds some thoughts about the ‘60s and pauses to write a note with someone’s old kohl pencil. Nick Bollinger enthuses in favour of black rocks, red rocks and repeats (subeditor’s note: Fridays at 2:30 am). And A K Goss (30 July 1952 – 20 October 2009) returns, warming his coffee in a tin mug on top of the firebox. Black, 4 sugars (was cutting down to 3). He continues his afterlife discourse on saltpetre.
These six (seven really) staggeringly interesting locals are good talkers and they’re armed to the teeth with verbs. They are also my imaginary seven-piece Wellington Bass Orchestra. Sometime before the last glass they haul out their cases and cables. They tune up. Sound-check is their first rehearsal and - well they would wouldn’t they - go straight into a 36 minute jazz funk impro piece which might be HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAPITAL TIMES!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Darcy Nicholas, artist, Director of Pataka Museum and Gallery, and General Manager Community Services, Porirua City.
This was much harder than I thought so I made impulsive decisions.
Gillian Deane because she has been so generous in all aspects of her life, sharing her wisdom, knowledge and wealth as wide as possible and being a great supporter for her husband Roderick.
Margaret Trotter for her contribution to the arts, New Zealand way of life and her strong support for her, late husband Sir Ron. She like Gillian Deane has been the strength behind their husbands.
Kara Puketapu - because he has been an absolutely brilliant visionary, innovator, contributor and leader of Maori issues for most of my adult life.
Sir Peter Jackson because of his outstanding drive and contribution to New Zealand and world film industries.
Terry Serepisos - For his energy and contribution to sport and enhancement of the Wellington spirit and way of life.
Sir Harawira Gardiner - For his leadership in many areas of New Zealand society and his huge contribution to the Maori people.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Melissa Moon, long distance runner, World Mountain running champion.
Sister Suzanne Aubert who founded the Soup Kitchen in Wellington 1901, a lady with Compassion at the heart of everything she did, her presence would be something special.
Jermaine Clement
Brett McKenzie , Flight of the Conchords, I love a good laugh and the humour of these two Wellingtonians makes me laugh till my stomach hurts!
Peter Jackson who is such a humble Wellingtonian, with such a creative mind, it would be fascinating to find out the way his detailed mind operates.
Kenny from Courtenay Place, ‘Bring back Kenny’ and his sound system for some background music at dinner!
Jackie Williams, a teaching colleague who taught me the ‘art of teaching’, who had compassion, wisdom and boy could she make me laugh!
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