A FINAL DEPARTURE

 

The upper visitor carparks are now back to normal

Yes, the Aoraki office is gone.  We have farewelled those lovely people (though Gazelle is occasionally apparent), and though we will miss them, it is lovely to have all our visitor parking spaces back.

Update on the structural sign-off

I have been advising those who plan to sell their apartments to wait until September, when the weather will be better, the pre-Christmas rush won't have properly got going, and we can be more sure that the earthquake prone stickers will be gone.

And it appears I am right. 

Where the application for the Certificate of Code Compliance for structural works was targeted for 6 July, it did not get in until 20 July.  And, of course, everything is internet-based now.

The Spectrum CE Construction Review Producer Statement PS4 (obscure terminology for Something Really Important) which confirmed the structural engineer sign-off, was issued on Friday 24 July, and uploaded to the WCC web portal for Certificate of Code Compliance on the morning of Monday 27 July.

It has been accepted for processing -- the status of the Certificate of Code Compliance application on the WCC web portal has moved to "CCC-Processing," which means that the system has acknowledged that the supporting documents have been uploaded. And that they are now being reviewed by WCC compliance staff (who are hopefully real people).

TBIG is monitoring this process as it evolves.  As Martin Hubbard says, 'With the CCC application now progressing, TBIG will open communications with the relevant part of WCC about the process for removing EQP status' -- in other words, getting those earthquake prone stickers off the front and back doors.

And it looks increasingly likely that September will be the magic month.

Entry code

As many people know, there is currently a code for tapping into the door monitor, which opens the way into the foyer.  This had to be available for the many Aoraki workers and tradies who were so busily trekking in and out.  Once the last of these folk have gone, the code will be removed, and you will have to use a tab to get into the building.

So it is a good idea to make sure you have enough tabs, and that you get used to carrying a tab around with you.  More can be programmed.  Just ask Brigid, who will tell you how to go about it.

The party!!

 

I forgot to take photos!

(But hopefully someone else memorialised the Welcome Home Party, and will forward the pix to druettjo@gmail.com)

So instead, three bouquets to the team that was behind the roaring success -- headed by Brigid, with Mark and Michele to assist.  And boy, do they deserve those flowers.  They spent all Sunday working away, and the result was stupendous. 

It was indeed a roaring success.  The hospitality was lavish.  Where "nibbles" had been promised, instead of little plates of nuts and olives there was a fantastic feast of finger food, which proved hugely popular with the big crowd.  Such a happy lot -- it was wonderful.  There have been many comments since about how much it was welcomed and enjoyed by all.  It was lovely to see some tenants there, too.

Originally, it was Ken's plan to stage a big bust for his 80th birthday.  Sadly, events overtook him, but I think he would have been very proud of the party last night.  

The foyer

I was delighted at the number of compliments about the new look of the foyer, too, that it is light, bright, and airy.  Several people asked what colour it is, and the answer is Sea Fog.  The young ones particularly like the modern "feel" to the foyer now, but older ones were equally as happy.

Board

And the board is very happy, too.  Figuring out accounts is still very taxing, but as a small board -- just five, with the sad loss of Ken Geard --  a terrific lot has been accomplished. The five might not be very visible, but they have been very hard at work.  Chris Garrett, our very affable and efficient chair, is off to Europe at the start of next month, and Camille Dentice, our deputy chair, will take over in his absence.  We do hope he has a wonderful trip, and look forward to welcoming him back.

BRIEF UPDATE

 

Alsop photo

I am sure all of you have noticed the gorgeous panoramic photo now hanging in our lobby.  

I originally thought it was a HeritageNZ photo of the Kumutoto stream, but no, I was wrong.

Research established that it is a valuable historic piece, an enlarged print of a photo taken about 1974, and titled 'New Zealand Bush Scene.' 

The original, which is a black and white photo, 38 cm by 68 cm, taken by Whites Aviation Ltd, and hand-coloured by Peter Alsop, is held at the Alexander Turnbull Library.  Its reference number, if you want to see the original, is PAColl-D-1599.

Its description is given as, 'A ground level photograph taken by Whites Aviation Ltd of a native bush scene, showing (left to right) a bouldered stream, nikau palms, and various intertwined species of native plants from ground to canopy level.

'Inscription on reverse reads: "New Zealand bush, a stream murmurs through a giant forest typifying the loveliness of Northland."'

I must admit I blinked when I read there were nikau palms, as I had thought that they were cabbage trees.  But no, they are nikau palms.  A sharp-eyed archivist wrote that description.

Skip

The skip is full.  Please do not put anything more in it.  It will be taken away and replaced in due course.

Party

And don't forget our party on the 19th.  That is 5pm on Sunday 19 July, and it is a sausage sizzle.  Bring your own drink, and a glass (if you use one), plus, if you feel like it, a small plate of snacks.

PARTY TIME

 

We are having a Welcome Home Party

Everyone has been cooperative, kind and patient, and we all deserve some fun.   And so we are having a Welcome Home Party on Sunday 19 July, at 5pm, in our newly furbished foyer.  All residents, including tenants, are welcome.

There will be a sausage sizzle, presided over by Brigid at the BBQ just outside the front doors, with Mark Holden as assistant chef.  (If it rains, the sausages will be rushed inside and baked in an oven, not quite the same, but still great.)

There will be bread and salad.

Your role, as the guests -- bring a bottle of whatever you drink, a glass to drink it out of, a fork, and (but only if you wish) a small plate of nibbles or dainties. Chips or something sweet are always welcome.

Cooking smells

There were a few complaints from residents in D apartments that they could smell other people's dinners on the stove.  This was reported to Gazelle, and the problem was fixed. Prompt response and good result.

Path to completion

The final strengthening is scheduled to finish 17 July, and Spectrum will do their check three days later.

The ventilation fans will be commissioned on 3 July, but do remember that they will be checked and recalibrated if necessary all this year.

Holmes expect the fire sign off will be 3 July, too.  A big date for the construction people, and for us.

The application for Certificate of Code Compliance will be submitted on 6 July, and the projected date for it to be issued is the first week of August.

At this stage, letters will be written to the Wellington City Council Resilient Buildings department, one of the most important being that the Code Compliance Certificate has been issued.

Then it is up to the Council.  Previous experience indicates that the decision will take three to four weeks, or so I am told. Which would mean that we should have an answer -- and that annoying rating off the front and back doors -- at the end of August.

Selling your apartment

If you get in touch with a real estate agent, please inform Munro Benge right away.  A presale pack will be issued (at the cost of the shareholder) with everything the prospective buyer and the agent needs -- minutes of the latest AGM, updates on the earthquake rating, cost of the quarterly levy, things like that. 

Whiteboard

This is now up in the passage to the back door, as it was impossible to put one up in the mail room.  Please use it as needed.  I see that Trevor King is already advertising a garage for sale, and that is the kind of thing the whiteboard is for. There are magnets for pinning papers to the board. 

Embellishing the foyer

 

The Judy Darragh photograph

As many of you will have noticed, there has been a posted plea for the huge old artwork not to be replaced in the foyer.  This echoes what has been said, phoned, and emailed to me.  The photograph was in synch with the black, pink/red/orange etc. of the old foyer design, or so many say, but does not work with the white walls.

I personally agree.  Right now, the foyer looks like a welcoming art gallery -- sans art.  We have a huge photograph of the Kumutoto Stream, which everyone likes, and looks great where it is propped.  It's local -- according to Heritage NZ, the photo was taken at the bottom of the city-to-sea steps on Salamanca Road.  I have not been down the steps to check, but others are welcome!  

A lot of people like the two paintings of stones that were created by Ron Druett, my husband.  And they like where they are propped, on either side of the foyer table.  On deep reflection, I decided that Ron would have liked the idea of his art hanging in the foyer of the building he loved, so they are propped there still, meantime.  Nothing can be hung until the paint is 20 days old.

So what do we do with the Judy Darragh photograph?  There is the suggestion that it goes in the lift lobby of one of the higher levels.  There is the alternative of selling it. I researched the artist online, and find that her work has a following. She is known as a 'found' artist, meaning she takes objects she finds, often in recycling bins, and paints them in bright colours and sets them up as statements.  She has a large presence online, and her work does sell.

 Maybe a resident loves it enough to offer to buy it?  Not expecting a huge response for that, Sally Schoon and I will be conferring with Webbs, art auctioneers.  Our contact, their Senior Specialist Mark Hutchins-Pond, will be in touch soon, and we will see what happens.  It will be interesting to know what kind of money we could hope for

Whiteboard

The whiteboard is now up in the passage to the back door, and should be easily seen when taking out recycling.  If you post a messsage, please make sure that you sign it.  Don't be shy!  And please don't walk away with the whiteboard marker. 

Bins and skip

The bins will be moved to the back door, and a skip (the last skip for a while!) will be placed in the driveway by the back door on Friday, if not before.

A NEW ERA

 

A New Era ... and the start of the return to the old one

The HG Newsflash will keep coming, partly because of public demand, but mostly because getting back to the old way of doing things takes quite a bit of cooperation and coordination.

Skip

The regular skips have been a huge bonus, and I know everyone has been grateful for the facility.  Getting back into our homes has meant a surprising amount of throwing out.  First, there have been thoughts of why the heck did I keep this or that, when I had the chance of clearing it out earlier?  And then there has been all the packaging and wrapping stuff, plus items that have been damaged or broken during removal, storage and return.

The skip at the front door will disappear this week, and be replaced by another skip -- one that is not ours! Please do not put anything into it!  It is for Aoraki to use to dispose of the sand and dirt that was involved with the setting up of the hoist.  We will get our own skip when the last traces of the hoist have gone, and it will be put in the old place, alongside the wall by the back steps.  Instead of going to the front door to dispose of your stuff, go to the back door.  So much easier ... 

Bins

The bins will go back into their old site at the back steps, too, each with its own label on the wall.  Please take note of the labels.  "Paper" means paper only (not plastic or polystyrene) and "glass" means just glass.  Tins and plastic have their own bin.  Sorting these out properly means life is a lot easier for the hardworking folk at the tip, and also means that we do not get scolded for getting it wrong.

If the paper bin is full, or the glass bin is full, then use the general rubbish bin.  It's a pity to not recycle, but worse to have extra glass or paper floating about the back door.

Reassurance

Gazelle is not going away!  While we will not see as much of her, she will be around.  The leftover defects will still be attended to (and more about that in a minute). She will also be managing the Aoraki team that is assisting the Otis team with the replacement of the lifts. 

Leftover defects

These mounted up, so there have been unavoidable delays.  If you still have defects, make a list, put it in an email, and send the email to Rachel (r.pattison@tbig.co.nz) and copy it to Chris Garrett (leegarrett53@hotmail.com).  Then be patient!  You will not be forgotten!!

Community board

We have all appreciated getting urgent updates plus extra information via the whiteboards that were set up in the foyer.  These have gone, along with the beautification of the foyer.  Now, we will have a community board set up in the passageway at the back door -- on the righthand side (looking out towards the garages) so that it can be seen from the lift lobby.  This is majorly for Brigid's and my use, but if you have notices to post, such as having a carpark to rent, then feel welcome to use the provided markers.  Please, however, sign anything you write up there, so that we can contact you if necessary.

Riser openings

These are on every level, where the fire hoses were.  Currently they are open, so you can see the neatly aligned new cabling and so forth.  They will soon be inspected for fire rating, and once passed will be closed.  White Melteca panels have been prepared for this already. 

Tenants

Tenants are most welcome to join the mailing list for the newsflash, which goes out electronically.  Just email me (druettjo@gmail.com) and I will be glad to welcome you to the HG Newflash community.

Foyer -- paintings needed!

And finally, our beautiful new foyer, which looks just like a posh art gallery -- minus the art.  If you have a beautiful painting you would be willing to lend for a few weeks or so, do bring it down, so residents can assess and enjoy.  And that leads me to an announcement -- the Tuesday morning chats where we get together informally at 10.30 have recommenced!!  All most welcome, including tenants.

MAJOR MILESTONES

 

1966 ......................................................2026

The Big Project

As of this Saturday, it is officially complete!

All the scaffolding will be down, the paintwork complete, and most garages and parking spaces returned.

There will of course be odd bits and pieces, as the endings of big projects tend to involve, but Gazelle will still be visible, and defects that remain will be fixed. 

Saying goodbye ...

will be hard.  We have become so accustomed to the busyness, and the bright smiles, and the general racket that it will seem strange.  Aoraki and their sub-teams have been amazing.  So friendly and helpful.  And, as Gazelle confided today, they have enjoyed meeting us all, and getting to know the Herbert Gardens community.

That earthquake-prone sticker

The last documentation to the WCC should be handed in, early June, and then it is up to the council to review the rating.  Crossed fingers that sticker will be off the front and back doors in July.

Foyer

Doesn't it look great?  So light and airy, And yes, the splodges of plaster that have been walked onto the stone floor will be removed.

The question now is how to decorate.  We don't really want the foyer to look like the entrance to a grand hotel.  Next thing, people would walk in from the street, and look for the reception desk so they can book a room for the night!  We are a community, and the foyer should look like our lounge.

So how do we decorate?  Here's an idea!  There is some wonderful artwork in this building, owned by discerning residents.  If some of this could be loaned to the building for the foyer, even if just for a short time, it would be fun.  I am happy to lend one of Ron Druett's great paintings, for instance. 

All ideas welcome.

Elevators

People have commented that it has gone very quiet in the shaft.  The work is being done off-site at the moment, with brackets being manufactured according to the scans that were made by Otis and Aoraki. Soon the brackets will be ready, and the work in the shaft will recommence.  The fittings for the car are also being assembled.  So don't fear that we have been forgotten.  And here, as a reminder, is a rundown of the lift work, both done and what is coming:

The overall process:

• Otis remove old Lift 1
• Aoraki prepare shaft 1 for new lift install
• Otis install new Lift 1
• Lift 1 operational
• Otis remove old Lift 2
• Aoraki prepare shaft 2 for new lift install
• Otis install new Lift 2
• Both lifts operational

 

The detailed step through:

Lift 1

What has been done:

• Safety screen installed to centre of shaft – so works for install of new lift can be done while existing keeps working
• Lift 1 removed completely.
• Lift 1 side of shaft handed over from Otis to Aoraki
• Aoraki scaffold installed to Lift 1 side of shaft
• Aoraki site measure for additional steelwork required for new lift. Fabrication drawings approved.

 

What is happening now:

• Fabrication of steelwork.

 

What happens next:

• Installation of steelwork (Aoraki)
• Aoraki upgrade electrical supply
• Otis commence their steel install from scaffold
• Scaffold out
• Lift 1 install.

Repeat above for Lift 2

 

 Target remains for Lift 1 complete end July.

Target remains both lifts complete December 2026.