Jake explains his hat of many badges

One of the things I was most looking forward to in coming to New Zealand was a party that had been arranged three months in advance by my friend Joe. The idea was to get a bunch of people I wanted to meet up with while over here all in the same room at the same time.

Joe Gilfillan

Joe is the consummate host. The food and drink were amazing and the surroundings perfect. It was a fairly small and sedate affair (best kind) and the people seemed to get on well with each other, despite for the most part never having met. I hooked my laptop up to the stereo and played my usual mix of soul jazz and latin sounds.

Peter McLennan and Mark Roach

I moved between the groups and joined in the conversation wherever it happened to be going. Jake fitted right in and seemed to have a really good time. I love that he’s confident enough to just join in, whatever the social situation - but it helps when the people are so cool and interesting.

Nigel Horrocks, Jubt and Peter

I’m so lucky to have such fascinating, talented and easy-going friends on both sides of the planet. I’d love to get them all in the same room one day. Maybe I’ll be rich by my 50th.

It was so great to see these people - some of my favourite human beings all in the same room at the same time. Some people were unable to make it, which is unfortunate, but it is the season for conflicting social events, I suppose…

Jim McLarty and Mark Roach

I had my usual hard time explaining what it is I do for a living. Once again, it managed to sound like I just kind of hang out, listen to music, meet interesting people and occasionally type stuff. Actually, that’s not too far from the truth.

At the end of the night, Joe got out his bubble machine and entertained us with a display of suds over the city, from his 5th floor inner city apartment.

Bubbles over Auckland

Jake was the designated official photographer with his new camera. He took some pretty great shots.

Jim

Victoria and Ashley

Josh

Jubt

Peter

Michael

Having a wonderful time, wish you were here.