SPECIAL VILLA #2:
9 Mays St, Devonport. Built 1908 by Selwyn Mays, son of Oliver Mays. Selwyn was a Chief Crown Prosecutor and younger brother of my Grandfather, Howard Mays (see tomorrow's "Special Villa"). The street was known then as Grey St but was renamed after the Mays brothers who were well-known identities in Devonport The house was owned from 1926 to 1985 by the Mason family who were related by marriage to the Mays family.
Classic features of the villa include a distinctive filigreed facade and upper and lower balustraded veranda with cast iron decorations. The tower was built by the present (2007) owners but something similar had apparently had been planned by Selwyn. (photographs by Paul Knight.) Purely by coincidence, Helen and Catherine Knight, daughters of my Father's brother Denis, each lived here while they were at university, not knowing anything of the admittedly indirect family connection. About 1926, Selwyn dived off the Devonport wharf to rescue a drunk and scraped his arm on barnacles under the wharf lavatory. He almost died from the resulting septicaemia and, unable to make a full recovery, his career ended.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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53% Human-centred experience and communication
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15.7% Critical thinking
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28.8% Resilience and adaptability
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2.5% Other - I will share below!
From Arapaepae Ridge
A view of Levin and a sunset photographed from the Arapaepae Ridge. Enlarge for a more detailed view of Levin.
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