The Post

Parkin wants to dine with potential Potuses

Chris Parkin has a strong connection with the capital, is well-known in the art world, and now appears to have more time on his hands after selling the innercity Museum Art Hotel last year. He talks politics, favourite places and having the Clintons and T

-

Haha, busy? I’m travelling, wine sampling, restaurant investigat­ing, keeping up my luxury hotel and resort studies! Seriously though, I’m investing in property in central Wellington, curating my art collection, and learning to grow vegetables (just in case). I call it ‘‘average art’’. It’s the sort most people enjoy looking at. Very contempora­ry New Zealand but not at all high brow. On the political front, I’m trying to get a new mayor elected, one from the new generation, Nick Leggett. On the home front, I’m looking for a building I can live in, as well as it being an art gallery. I fancy a property that can be offices, retail, residentia­l apartments, leisure centre, Italian restaurant, home for Kathy and I, and an art gallery. A sort of micro city. It might be a lengthy search! It’s a walking city. It has the best downtown retail area in New Zealand and getting better. The arts culture is very strong. The cafe culture is booming. Central city residentia­l is growing rapidly. To really fly we need refreshed civic leadership, which is committed to the city’s economic growth above all else. They need to get our lazy balance sheet working for all of us. We don’t need medieval revivalist­s or those whose first loyalty is to the red flag. Yes, I have. And, no, I wouldn’t. I’m a yesterday’s man. We need to elect a tomorrow person. Wellington! Isn’t it obvious? Distant second would be somewhere in South Westland, maybe Lake Moeraki, where the scenery is almost primeval. Waking in our apartment to a perfect dawn, espresso and

in bed followed by a light breakfast (also in bed) looking over the harbour. Wander up Cuba St for a gander and more coffee. Light lunch at Capitol, followed by a slow cruise on the Harley around our world-class marine drive. Early evening movie, then a Negroni and Steak Frits at Ortega Fish Shack. Home to watch a replay of the Hurricanes thrashing the Chiefs. Man, what a day that would be. Donald and Melania Trump and Bill and Hillary Clinton. I reckon they’d really like my cooking, and they could discuss how to mend fences, why we love Muslims, and who really is the crook! If that stalls, ‘my favourite hair stylist’ could be a go.

by Anne Enright. Anyone who has been to the pub in Knocknagos­hel will appreciate this. Really contempora­ry stuff. Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, Springstee­n, Beatles, Dylan. Hard to teach an old dog!

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from New Zealand