‘A good city to make change from’
Under the Wellington wharves at low tide – now that is the place to be, says Wellington creative Jo Randerson.
What does it mean to be a Wellingtonian?
I have lived here since I was 4 – my whānau moved down from Tāmaki Makaurau when my Dad took a job here. Living in Te Whanganuia-tara means having the aliveness of the wild weather and ocean in all directions around you, following orca around the coastline, and hearing kaka at dusk since the giant Zealandia fence went in.
It means living in the government capital and encountering the contrast between the policymakers and those whose lives are affected by those papers. Covid has heightened inequality; this is a good city to make change from.
I live here because ...
My sister and brother live here, my parents live here, my partner’s whānau live here, my tamariki were born and are happy here. The hills give me joy, and I love being able to see Te Waipounamu on a clear day from Ōwhiro Bay. We live right at the top of a hill in Vogelmorn.
My cousin told me the other day that a lot of my ancestors lived on hills, apparently it is a family tendency. Looking out from our house you can see the wind turbine, also a structure which we call the moon building. It is the Hawkins Hill radar dome and the person who lived in our house before us used to work there. His wife said she could see his car driving down from the ridge – that was when she would put the peas on for dinner.
Where is the best place to swim?
I am more of a walker than a swimmer and we often blast off down the South Coast when we need to figure something out.
The best place to swim is wherever the wind is not blowing. We only decide where we are walking or swimming at the moment of leaving the house, based on wind direction.
Where is your favourite place to take in some art?
I am quite shy of crowds, so my favourite places are quiet times anywhere. I like outdoor art, all the new installations and murals. I love the new mural Power by Kiran Parbhu on the side of the substation on Brooklyn Hill.
What part of the city are you most at home in?
I love being outdoors here, there are so many beautiful secret spots, so many hills to climb.
My friend just showed me the Anne Frank memorial at the top of Ellice St, I love this sculpture in the old quarry.
Another favourite spot is under the wharves on a low tide; on a still night the posts are perfectly reflected in the water and you lose your bearings.
What is your greatest hope for this city?
This place was discovered by Kupe, settled by Tara (and others) and is loved by many. It is a city which is now the home of the Crown and my hope would be that we would be brave enough as a country to properly de-colonise: a good start would be by engaging with Matike Mai, and work together towards constitutional transformation. – as told to Bess Manson