‘The word Kiwi is magic’
What do you like best about Mt Eden?
The convenience for getting around. It’s cosmopolitan. I love living opposite a school – it’s wonderful. The first thing I do when I get up in the morning is watch all the children getting to school.
How long have you lived here and where are you originally from?
I’ve lived in Mt Eden for 14 years and before that we were in Titirangi for 44 years. We set up shop here 12 years ago on Dominion Rd and then moved to Carrick Place a few weeks ago. We arrived in New Zealand from London on Anzac Day in 1947.
What do you like least and how can we fix it?
Mummies not holding their children’s hands, mummies crossing the road when they shouldn’t with their children.
Who does the best fish and chips in Mt Eden?
The best fish and chips are home-cooked – come to my house and you.
Where’s the best place to buy dinner in Mt Eden?
My house. I’m sorry, but it is. I cook a nice New Zealand leg of lamb with roast potatoes.
Who is the Kiwi you admire the most and why?
I think New Zealand people are absolutely wonderful – the word Kiwi is magic.
If I was Auckland’s mayor I’d…
Make sure everything was more fair and make sure everybody had a fair go. Not spend so much money and spend more sensibly so the rates don’t have to keep going up. The most important thing really is the children.
When I’ve got a free few hours I like to…
In my younger days I loved gardening and cooking. I did
I’ll cook them for entertaining in Titirangi – I would think nothing of entertaining 70 to 80 people, always entertaining. I work in the shop every other day.
This whole shop is the most wonderful thing in the whole world. I even had a customer who came from Tibet – the whole world comes into my shop.
The spot in central Auckland I’d recommend to tourists is...
Cornwall Park is absolutely beautiful – I love it.