So, Paul Young, what have you been up to? Where have you been over the past year or so?
Not that long ago, between 2018 and 2022, when he was an Auckland councillor for Howick, it was hard to avoid knowing where Paul Young was.
He was very active on social media and flitting from one meeting and function to another. You’d see him here, there, everywhere.
After he lost his seat on the council, there has been relative quiet, publicly.
Though, it’s unsurprising when he arrives at the Times office that he’s full of beans with his customary energy and buoyant about what he’s about to tell us.
Turns out, Paul Young, former councillor and habitual election candidate, is a champion of the artist. And the footballer.
“It’s my great pleasure, because during my time previous to council, I helped some young artists. Before I was a councillor, I had a studio in Howick.
“Then in 2016, I moved everything into Auckland City, to Queen Street, 154. So, my new gallery is called 154.”
The Howick resident is expanding his art-dealing operation to two floors at 154 Queen St.
To observe the high-class artworks and potentially make a purchase or bid, viewing sessions are by appointment only.
It must be very impressive, as world-renowned artist, Carlos Faustino, and his entourage have toured the gallery spaces and were suitably moved.
“He said, ‘Paul, this is one of the best art galleries’,” Young says.
He says he’s always been interested in photography and had a business in Howick doing related work in that arena for more than 20 years.
“I love art. It’s for everybody – art; the music.”
Young’s also a music and entertainment promoter and has a track record of bringing to New Zealand some of the leading Asian acts, and virtuoso French pianist, Richard Clayderman: “Those kinds of superstars.”
Young’s third art gallery is now open in a well-known foreign bank’s building, also in Auckland’s CBD.
“Because we’re working together – the international bank’s VIP lounge – we change into the art gallery lounge.
“I want to help the artists to have more platforms. And as an Asian migrant, it’s good I know the Asian buyer and the Asian artist. I also know the local artists and the local buyers.”
Young’s father was from China and his mother Taiwan. His wife of 30 years, Rosanna, is originally from Hong Kong and she and Paul met in Auckland in 1990. Their two children were born in New Zealand. “Kiwi kids.”
Next month, he’s leading a tour to China of a Fencibles United youth football squad which will play in an international tournament featuring six club sides, one each from different countries.
It’s being played in Guiyang City, population almost six million. The invitation to a New Zealand club team to play in the competition came about because Young knows the tournament organiser, he says.
In Fencibles’ group are clubs from football powerhouses Argentina and China, the latter described by Young as a quick-growing market in the “beautiful game”, with “hundreds of millions of people viewing and attending”.
The Fencibles touring party numbers 38 and Young says it’s “an honour” to head such a sporting delegation from east Auckland representing New Zealand.
“It’s going to be very good for a New Zealand team and our players to experience a different culture.”
As for any more political aspirations, such as running again for an elected position at Auckland Council, or even parliament, which he previously did for the Conservative Party, Young is coy about his future plans, but you suspect something’s brewing.
“The most important thing is, why I want to stand in those roles or as a candidate is I really want to help the migrant engage with the locals. Because they need to engage. We need to engage.”
He is, of course, running in the triennial vote for the board of trustees for Entrust, a candidacy only declared in August.
It’s his 10th election. Postal voting for that closes on October 25.
