Editor & Publisher

Martin has extensive experience and has received 18 international accolades for publishing excellence. In London, Martin launched a number of business to business magazines, events, masterclasses, dinners and conferences as brand extensions. He was featured in Charles Handy's book, 'The New Alchemists', how visionary people create something out of nothing. Published by Random House UK 1999

Distribution / Subscriptions Manager

Jay has 18 years experience in information technology, HR, business development along with an intuitive feel about popular culture. Born in London, Jay has spent most of his time in 'Blighty' apart from a spell in California. He relocated to New Zealand with Mister Scottie and Martin Leach in April 2001.

Operations Manager

Gwynne has experience in customer service and graphic design. Part of the team since 2009, she enjoys the variety that each day brings and working alongside such a fantastic community.

Advertising Sales

Melissa Paynter has over 20 years experience in graphic design and publishing. She has been working as a freelance designer for Ponsonby News since 2009. She comes from a family of designers and artists and is passionate about art in any form.

Arch Hill is named due to its "natural features”. Most of the houses date from around the turn of the 20th century and many are small workers cottages or wooden villas; sections are often tiny and without off-street parking. Some light industrial commercial premises have replaced parts of the housing stock with one and two storey commercial properties and more recently apartment complexes have been built. Before the north-western motorway was built through the bottom of the suburb, known as Arch Hill Gully, in the 1960s and 70s, many of the streets running down from Great North Road linked up with those in Kingsland.

Freemans Bay is the name of a former bay, which was filled in to a considerable extent, with the reclamation area now totally concealing the ancient shoreline. Historically a poor and often disreputable quarter, it is now a comparatively wealthy and desirable neighbourhood known for its mix of heritage homes and more recent single-dwelling houses, as well as for its two large parks.

To the west of Ponsonby, lies Grey Lynn ... this diverse multicultural community of alternative lifestyles and creativity, is an energetic and spirited area with a cafe culture of its own. The annual Grey Lynn Park Festival with its distinct Pacific Island flavour draws crowds to enjoy markets, music, ethnic foods and much more. Grey Lynn was home to many early Auckland manufacturing businesses. The Sleepyhead Mattress factory and the old Summit Shirt Factory building are just two local examples, which have been redeveloped as New York loft style apartments.

St Marys Bay is a small, intimate community spirited neighbourhood perched on the northern slopes boasting glorious views to Westhaven Marina, inner Waitemata Harbour and the CBD. Modern townhouses sit amongst some of the grandest of grand homes and early colonial villas most of which have been superbly renovated. Today although almost 100% gentrified, St Mary's Bay's past included brothels, abortion clinics, drug squats and illegal drinking dens!

Herne Bay is considered as one of Auckland's most exclusive suburbs with a number of homes currently valued in excess of $3million. During the late 1800's many of Auckland's early business leaders built grand Victorian residences on the north side, while on the southern side, Auckland's first developer mass built four avenues of villas. Jervois Road, known locally as 'Herne Bay Village' with its cafes, bars, restaurants and specialty retail shops is the hub that divides the northern slopes from 'the avenues' on the southern side. Of all the bays, Herne Bay is the only bay, which boasts its own small local beach.

Westmere was originally a working-class area, containing some state houses; mostly private housing originating from housing development in the 1920s. It is known for its Californian style bungalow architecture. It is now a highly sought after residential location with extensive redevelopment. Westmere is broadly bisected by Garnet Road and is bounded by Coxs Bay to the North and the green belt running from Western Springs, the Auckland Zoo and Western Springs College to the South and West.