URBAN VILLAGE
The story of Ponsonby, Freemans Bay and St.Mary’s Bay
Jenny Carlyon & Diana Morrow
Random House - $70

There are many reasons why I love living in Ponsonby, but probably the main one is because it feels so much like a village. Walking up to Ponsonby Road to visit Bhana Brothers, Masons Menswear, the Womens Bookshop, or to one of my favourite cafes for a flat white – Agnes Curran, Dizengoff, OneTwoOne – I invariably come across people I know or at least recognize as being local. It is indeed an urban village and so I reckon that the authors of this hugely appealing history of our suburb were right on the money with their choice of title.

Jenny Carlyon and Diana Morrow both live locally and both have PhD’s in history, Jenny from the University of Auckland and Diana from Victoria University, Wellington. They are eminently qualified to write this book.
When they moved into the area a few years ago they were curious about its history and this book is the result of that curiosity. They do not claim the book to be comprehensive or definitive rather they hope it “offers an insight into this unique and colourful Auckland neighbourhood which combines stylish urbanity and a friendly village ambience”.

There is no doubt that their hope has been realized. Having said that, be warned that this is not a book you will be reading in bed or taking to the beach. No, this is a book to be read and browsed at for an hour or two at a time, probably at the dining table because it is large, prolifically illustrated and best described as a coffee table book.

The book opens with the arrival of Lieutenant Governor Hobson on 9 July 1840 in search of a site for a new capital. This introductory chapter goes on to describe the early settlement of Freemans Bay, Ponsonby and St.Mary’s Bay with the text generously augmented with early maps, subdivision plans, drawings and photographs.
From here the authors have taken a thematic approach with chapters covering such matters as Catholic heritage., churches, sporting clubs, trade unionism, slum clearance to gentrification, retail and restaurants, music in Ponsonby, and for this reviewer the most interesting of all, the arts.

In the chapter devoted to the arts some of the artists written about, with many of the photographed, include Mary Jane O’Reilly, Jeff Scholes, Gary Nash, Ann Robinson, John Croucher, Tony Fomison, Pamela Wolfe, Richard McWhannell, Virginia King, Selwyn Muru, Fatu Feu’u, Dick Frizzell, John Reynolds, Robin Morrison, John Edgar, and Greer Twiss,
Then as the authors say the list of writers who have celebrated their connections to Ponsonby & Freemans Bay is formidable including Frank Sargeson, Vincent O’Sullivan, Ian Middleton, David Ballantyne, Roderick Finlayson, Albert Wendt, Richard Wolfe, Hone Tuwhare, Peter Olds, Greg McGee and Derek Hansen to name but a few.

But perhaps the most astonishing thing for many readers will be the dramatic changes that have taken place in the district as shown so graphically in the chapter, From Slum Clearance to Gentrification This from the authors’ introduction to that chapter which wonderfully sums up these changes:

From Polynesian capital of the world to the macchiato mile; from decadent slum to sought after area; from Pacific Islander and Maori to Pakeha middle class; from single-family, owner occupied homes to multi-family dwellings owned by absentee landlords back to single-family homes – the fortunes of Ponsonby, St.Mary’s Bay and Freemans Bay have been cyclical.
Yesterday’s slums are today’s highly desirable residential areas; last century’s halfway and boarding houses are now large, comfortable, family homes; dilapidated Victorian & Edwardian villas are restored, modernized and set in manicured gardens.
Former second-hand shops, launderettes, electrical and appliance suppliers, motorcycle repair shops, dairies and superettes are now restaurants, clothing boutiques and bars.
Ponsonby, St.Mary’s Bay and Freemans Bay have done the full cycle.

This is a book that should be in every home in these suburbs. It is a triumph.
And I must add that the impressively extensive source notes at the end of the book, along with a detailed bibliography of books, articles, directories, plans and reports, websites and interview notes, newspaper & magazines & archives, all complimented by a detailed and user-friendly index make an excellent example of how serious non-fiction titles should be published. Hats off to all concerned.
The above review by The Bookman was published in the Sunday Star Times today, October 12.