CHRISTMAS 2025

 

It must be Christmas

I could not resist posting a picture of the pohutukawa in the park just down to the right of our building, on the little path to Boulcott Street, just to prove it is summer, and Christmas, because the temperature does not feel like it.  In Masterton, my friends tell me that though it is really hot some daytimes, at night they still light the fire.  How odd.

But the major is the picture on the right, of the western face of the building where some scaffolding has come down to reveal what the whole building will look like when the project is done and dusted.  How white and clean, how wonderful!  Something to look forward to with hope and great anticipations.  

The only bit of news

Well, that is so far.  But Damien insisted that I inform you all that the last day of 2025 to put charity items in the lobby is tomorrow.  The lobby has to be cleared ready for ground floor work in January, and so he wants to do that before Christmas Eve, when Damien will be off work for some greatly needed R&R.  Over the break, contact Brigid, Joan or Chris Garrett, but please, only if strictly necessary.

HAVE A TRULY WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON, TAKE CARE, DRIVE SAFELY, AND HAVE LOTS OF GOOD FOOD AND IMMENSE FUN

And now, more pix from past HG celebrations.

Past Jollity at Herbert Gardens

 

Another blast from the past, courtesy of Judy Myers.

I leave it to others to identify the people having fun at Herbert Gardens -- though I think I recognize Joan Gillies, bless her soul, in the bottom righthand picture.

I think that though some were taken in the foyer, others are in various apartments.  Hospitality has always been a great feature of our iconic building, and long may it endure in the future, after our great project is done and dusted.

Not much in the way of news

Level 5 is being handed over, and good luck to those who are settling back in their homes.  

To repeat old advice, it is a very good idea to be present when the movers shift your furniture into your apartment, just to make sure that the bed goes in the bedroom, and the couches go into your lounge.

Bookcases may have been taken apart, but you will find that all the screws have been kept, and should be in a little package taped to a shelf.  My daybed had to be put back together, and to the great relief of my helpful friend and me, every vital screw was there. My, it was a job, though. Be prepared for it to take time for your apartment to feel like your home again.

You will find that the old smoke detectors have been left, along with their batteries.  You can give the batteries to Damien, if you like, as they should be functional still. Waste not, want not.

The weather has been less than summery.  The men taking down the top three levels of scaffolding had to give up, and plan to come back when the sun returns.  The rain did mean another test for leaks.  Gazelle tells me that moisture checks were carried out in 13A, 12A and 11A, and all came back nice and dry, and John Nicholson reported that there were no leaks in 10A, too.

So that is good news, and a reason to cross our fingers tightly.  The storm was not on the scale of the October one, where the leaking appeared on the third day of rain, but hopefully this is a very good sign.

Christmas next week and a chance for all of us to rest up and recruit our strength and patience for the final phases of the project next year. And, most importantly, to count our blessings.

AGM. DAMIEN, AND DEFECTS

 

Well, the pictures might bring back memories for some!

Courtesy of Judy Myers, they are of a Christmas past, sometime in the eighties.  The faces are unfamiliar to me, but I would love identification.

Well, down to business.  The AGM was surprisingly well attended, considering that so many shareholders are living in alternative accommodation. It was a well mannered and very attentive crowd, too.

Two directors left the Board after years of dedication -- Steve Cantwell and Sally Schoon.  They have done great service, and we thank them and hope they enjoy that extra leisure time.  From experience, I now know that directors work very hard indeed. A third who left was Sue Perry, who filled in when we needed a quorum, even though she was in England most of the time, which was very much appreciated. 

Four new ones were voted in -- Geoff Fougere, Camille Dentrice, Chris Garrett and Mike Underhill.  This brings the Board up to six:

Ken Geard (chair) 021 312 873

Camille Dentice    021 328 049
Geoff Fougere       021 114 9560
Mike Underhill     027 442 8622
Chris Garrett         021 428 626
Joan Druett           021 135 0040

Damien

We also learned that Damien Courtney, our much appreciated Building Manager, has handed in his resignation and will leave us on 12 March 2026.

As he reminisced to me, "I took on the role thinking I would take it for a couple of years, not realizing what a long road it would turn out to be."

So, why has he persevered?

"Out of loyalty to all shareholders, many of whom have become friends, I always envisaged that I would stay working at Herbert Gardens until a project was passed by shareholders to remediate the building. Little did we all know how long this would take!"

But, as he added, "I feel content with myself that I persevered and feel now that I can move on and have no regrets with myself that I stayed the distance. I am proud of the fact that Herbert Gardens is finally on the road to recovery and that I was somewhat involved in securing the building's future."

Damien was certainly involved, from organising carparks, to supervising the moving and storage of furniture, to the suggesting of alternative accommodation. As top level apartments were handed back to their owners, he organised the letting of some to residents who wanted to move back into the building until their own apartments were ready. He has been totally kind, attentive, and patient, and we will miss him.  And certainly wish him the best of luck for the future.

Defects

At the AGM several shareholders raised concerns about the quality (or lack) of remediation of perceived defects, and the delay in attending to them even after the need was recognised by TBIG and Aoraki.

So far, there has been a set system. 

First, a survey by the architects before handover. Any defects detected printed up in a document that was handed to the shareholder.

Second, the shareholder could make a list of any defects that were not recorded by the architects, and this was assessed by TBIG and Aoraki.

Third, accepted defects were remediated.  As the priority for Aoraki is the main project, there is often a delay of two or more weeks before time can be found to get this done.

Fourth, defects that were not remediated become a matter for consideration by HGL. This may involve costs for either HGL or the shareholder.  It is part of the assessment process.

The fact that this system appears to have fallen down, as attested by those who spoke up at the meeting, is being treated with grave consideration by the Board.  The shareholders involved are being contacted, and the failure of the system will be discussed at the next Board meeting, on Monday 15 December.

Hopefully, this will be resolved to the satisfaction of all.  Meantime, enjoy the Christmas Party pictures.  And the currently gorgeous weather.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 

AGM

All of you should have received this notice of the Annual General Meeting to be held on Monday 8 December, at the James Cook Chancellor, floor 16, starting 5.30pm

Documents were attached which you may want to print off and bring to the meeting.

In past years there has been a Christmas celebration in the lobby immediately following the AGM.  Unfortunately this year it is not possible.  The lobby, as many will have noticed, is under remediation, with the fire rating being critically upgraded. Also, many people are not resident right now.  They are in alternative accommodation, or out of town.

Therefore, it has been decided to put off our party in favour of a big celebration when the project is finished.  Ken Geard, our chairman, has volunteered to host this, so that we will have his big living room as well as the lobby -- which is great, as there will be a big crowd.  So get ready to have a party in March or April.  It will be huge fun.

Fire trucks

We had yet another false alarm, when dust in the level one stairwell set off a smoke alarm. Gazelle took charge of the worker evacuation, and opened the lobby doors to make our own evacuation easy.  Not that there were many people to run down the stairs or lurk in their stairwells in case they needed assistance.  Then when the drama was over, she switched the doors back on again.

And we got three fire trucks!!  Plus their very affable and friendly crews.  Luckily, they do not charge for false alarms.  Have a good look at the photos, above.  The messages on the sides of the trucks are interesting. 

Second Terrace Tunnel

Many of you will be aware that the government intends to build a second tunnel, with access that will destroy our bottom garden.  This is being rushed through, and public consultations cease on 14 December.  If you feel one way or another about the disruption it will cause to us and our homes, please hit the link below (or copy it into your browser) and fill in the survey.  Every single voice is important.

Online survey

https://nzta.mysocialpinpoint.com/SH1-Wellington-Improvements-project-engagement-survey

MONDAY UPDATE

 

LIFTS OUT

The lifts will be out tomorrow, Tuesday morning, from 10.30am to 12.30pm.  A chance to have lunch in town, perhaps.

They will also be out on Wednesday evening at 10.30, resuming operations at 3am Thursday early morning.  So that is a kind of curfew.  Be home by ten, kids!

Construction timing

Construction work is scheduled to start at 7am, and residents are hearing sounds like muffled tapping in the risers just minutes after that. This might seem earlier than usual, but it is part of the routine.  It should not be unpleasantly loud, not at that hour.  Intrusive noise is not supposed to happen before 10am, a rule that Aoraki points out emphatically to their workforce. And it should stop at 2pm, those two hours being chosen because so many residents are out to lunch or at work at that time. After that, the noise will be more muted.

Softer noises like tapping or brief wood drilling can easily be put up with, knowing that important work is in progress. And knowing that the work is starting promptly at seven am is a reassurance that the schedule is running as planned.

New trims around doors

Where new trims are fitted, these are painted white. The white is alabaster, the same colour as the new ceilings. If you dislike the colour, you are free to paint over it in a colour of your choice, at shareholder cost.

Damien is back at work today, but please leave him to get on with what is absolutely necessary. There will be time to ask him questions later, when he is not so busy, and has fully recovered his health. 

Lift lobbies

Jacob is breaking down boxes to clear the lift lobbies that have become overburdened.

Take care, everyone, and exercise patience.  It is going to be another hectic week.