AVENUES AT 200

WORDS Yvonne Martin

For me, the title “Avenues” conjures up warm memories, like a favourite soundtrack or movie.

I had the pleasure of being the middle editor between the founding editor, the late Jon Gadsby and current editor, Joshua Brosnahan.

I was working as a Press journalist in 2008 when the opportunity to edit Avenues arose. I expected to be in the job for three years but ended up staying 10!

Editing Avenues was a rich role of finding local stories, celebrating Canterbury people and successes, working with talented creatives and helping new and deserving businesses with exposure, especially after the earthquakes.

The first Avenues after the 2010 earthquake was produced from a beach house in Taylors Mistake. The edition that followed the 2011 quake was pieced together in my lounge on Huntsbury hill. Our team became nimble at producing magazines on the fly, replacing dated material with new and keeping a grip on the changing Christchurch landscape.

Early, pre-earthquake editions of Avenues are time capsules. Thumbing through their glossy pages is like looking in the mirror at a reflection I barely recognise. They are a nostalgic reminder of the city’s past.

One of the most memorable magazines for me was my first edition as editor in July 2008, with a cover story on arts patron and environmentalist Diana, Lady Isaac. It was a privilege writing her story while working out how to fill the rest of the magazine with what content and how. Over time, our small team found its stride and a rich abundance of stories to tell. 

Visiting the cloistered but joyful world of the Carmelite nuns in Halswell for a story was another highlight. I often think those industrious and creative women were pioneers of the lockdown we all came to know. 

Every month as editor, opening the first box of Avenues, fresh from the printers, was a nervous thrill. Did the front cover work; was the printing crisp? Ever-present was the dread of finding a typo, thankfully rare. 

Nowadays, I’ve swapped editing for running a business in Central Otago. Instead of wrangling words onto pages, my partner and I wrangle dogs at our rural dog daycare.

My gap year from journalism has turned into three. Working outdoors in a Central summer has its joys; there’s the chance to watch incredible cloudscapes and enjoy the field of sunflowers I’ve planted this year. It can be witheringly hot outside, but a leap into the Clutha River revives the soul. Winter can be bracing but frigid mornings often give way to fine, clear days. Once or twice a year, we watch dogs and our horse cavorting in the snow. Only on a handful of days do I miss working in the comfort of an office. 

It’s been refreshing to start a new venture and see where it leads. In so many surprising ways, dogs have been a conduit to meeting diverse, interesting people and becoming part of their daily lives. The morning dropoffs and afternoon pickups mirror those outside New Zealand schools every weekday. Only here, the pupils being dropped off with rain jackets and marked lunchboxes are four-legged and don’t talk back. 

Congratulations, Avenues, on reaching the 200-edition milestone. Long may you continue to bloom and prosper and reflect Canterbury’s special people and places. We’ll be raising a glass from afar.