Sir Bob Harvey charms Northern Club regulars with tales of the Waitematā’s chequered history

 

The Northern Club is not the regular stomping ground of former Labour Party president and former Waitakere City mayor Sir Bob Harvey, but he received a very warm reception from Club regulars this week at his captivating presentation on the background to his latest book, Sea Edge: Where the Waitematā Meets Auckland, published by Oratia.

The spectacular Wintergarden room with its dramatic chandeliers and sweeping views of the inner metropolis provided the perfect setting for the launch of a book that celebrates all that is great about Sir Bob’s beloved harbour city. 

Drawing on years of research, fascinating stories and a rich selection of images of the past and present, Auckland’s Champion shared his deep knowledge of the transformation of the waterfront across history with an audience that also included old friends from his Karekare Surf Lifesaving and advertising agency days, as well as past civic colleagues. 

Sea Edge's designer Cheryl Smith (left) and editor Carolyn Lagahetau (right) with Sir Bob

Carolyn and Cheryl with Oratia's sales and marketing consultant Belinda Cooke at The Northern Club

Bob ended the convivial evening by signing copies of Sea Edge, on sale thanks to John Graham, owner of several Paper Plus stores in Auckland, who was instrumental in organising the event. 

Sea Edge  |  ISBN: 978-0-947506-48-3|  RRP $75

Jacketed hardback, 300 x 300 mm, 260 pages colour

Bob Harvey's monumental Sea Edge is published today

A deluxe hardback with stunning art and photos, and dazzling text, Sea Edge: Where the Waitematā Meets Auckland is the culmination of  years of intensive research into the history and photo archives of Auckland’s magnificent Waitematā Harbour by author and civic leader Sir Bob Harvey. 

As Bob portrays in Sea Edge, Auckland is a glorious maritime city of character and charm. What happens at the sea edge — the beaches and ports and fringes of the Waitematā Harbour — defines the city’s past and present. 

Since the first Polynesian voyagers made landfall in their double-hulled sailing canoes, new arrivals have continually rediscovered and redefined the harbour and Hauraki Gulf beyond. Waitematā, ‘sparkling waters’, originated as a name from a rock off Kauri Point. 

Settlers from Britain and other parts of Europe navigated into the Waitematā to create the ‘City of Sails’.

Sea Edge: Where the Waitematā Meets Auckland is a collection of old and new stories, vignettes of the past and visions of the future, accompanied by many unpublished photographs and illustrations. 

The power of the narrative is the transformation of the Auckland Waterfront across history — including the enormous task of reclamation, building the port, and developing commerce and culture. 

Sea Edge is organised into four parts: 

·      The Beginning: from Māori on the Waitematā and Governor Hobson through to Shed 10, the Auckland Ferry Building and Henry Winkelmann

·      The Inner Harbour: America’s Cup and yachting heroes, Sanfords and fishing, on to today’s developments including the new Park Hyatt and GridAKL

·      The Working Waterfront: work including scows, the Devonport Naval Base, the Great White Fleet, waterfront strikes, SkyPath and Wynyard Point

-->  The Future of the Waitematā: plans and dreams for a sustainable waterfront. 

Sir Bob Harvey has drawn on his lifetime’s connection to the harbour and his civic leadership in planning its future, and dedicated recent years to researching the stories of the Sea Edge. It tells an inspiring story.

‘This book takes you on Auckland’s journey of growth and discovery that started at our foreshore. It honours those who came, lived and worked on the sea edge and I hope you enjoy it as I have.’

—Mayor Phil Goff, from his Foreword 

Sir Bob Harvey was born and brought up close to Auckland’s waterfront, and has made the city and the sea a big part of his life. He served as Mayor of Waitakere City from 1992 to 2010 and later as Chair of Waterfront Auckland. Bob is the author of numerous books including the bestselling Untamed Coast. He was knighted in 2013 for services to local body affairs and the community.

Publication: 19 June 2019  |  ISBN: 978-0-947506-48-3|  RRP $75

Jacketed hardback, 300 x 300 mm, 260 pages colour