Ask Phoebe: Signs of confusion at new bypass in Panmure

The signage for the northern end of the new Panmure bypass is confusing. Could the reason be that Auckland Transport, finding itself embarrassed by the sight of this expensive (though useful) addition to the Mt Wellington (Panmure) landscape, is anxious that not too many ratepayer-motorists discover its existence? As you drive south along Jellicoe Rd from Glen Innes you glimpse a sign just after negotiating the bend by the railway. One arrow points straight for Panmure, the other right for Mt Wellington. Which is which? you ask yourself, wondering in the few seconds available whether to get into the right lane, and puzzled, because like most locals you thought these two names stood for the same suburb; the suburb containing a notorious roundabout which lies, as you knew, or thought you knew, straight ahead. And, if you happened to be one of the few motorists actually wanting to drive up Mt Wellington, you'd need to keep straight ahead and use that very roundabout.

The sign would be less misleading if it pointed right for Otahuhu instead of Mt Wellington. Barry Littlewood, St Heliers.

You're wrong and you're right, Mr Littlewood. Mt Wellington and Panmure are different suburbs, as other locals will tell you.

But you are right about the new road that bypasses that ghastly roundabout. If you turn right towards Mt Wellington at the intersection you mention, you end up on Te Horeta Rd, which connects Jellicoe Rd to the Mt Wellington Highway, and bypasses the roundabout.

And should you wish to drive up Mt Wellington itself, you need to negotiate the roundabout as far round as the Panmure Highway and then head up Maungarei Memorial Drive via Mountain Rd.

In TV adverts for Suzuki cars, they are shown with left-hand drive. I thought that Suzuki cars were made in Japan where they drive on the left-hand side of the road, as we do, with the steering wheel on the right-hand side. So why show left-hand drive cars here? Denys Marett, Auckland.

Cost, predominantly. Advertisements are expensive to produce, so it's one size fits all. In a number of ads for cars, there is a note at the bottom of the screen reading, "Filmed overseas", or words to that effect, so that viewers know not to drive on the right-hand side of the road in New Zealand.

As an aside, Suzuki also assembles vehicles in countries other than Japan.

Following your success with the Pearl Fishers aria, could you please tell me what choral music is used in the ANZ Bank ad for home loans? Tony Andrews, Auckland.

My pleasure. The music track used in this commercial is Regina Coeli, an Easter hymn from Cavalleria Rusticana, an opera in one act by Pietro Mascagni. In my opinion, Cavalleria Rusticana contains some of the most beautiful music composed, particularly the Intermezzo.

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