Kiwi’s love affair with the Corolla

‘‘She finds parking spaces whenever we need them, and she gets me home again.’’

New Zealand is home to rugby, kiwis (the bird), Kiwis (the people) and pavlova. It’s also home to a lot of Toyota Corollas.

Nationally, nearly 150,000 Toyota Corollas are registered, according to NZ Transport Agency statistics.

That makes the Corolla twice as popular as New Zealand’s next favourite, the Suzuki Swift.

The Corolla line is an automobile dynasty at this point, having been around since the 1960s.

It’s the best-selling vehicle model in the world, and, to this day, has a strong following in Aotearoa.

Frances Horton is one of nearly 10,000 drivers on Auckland’s North Shore who own the region’s most popular car -a Toyota Corolla.

Horton, from Mairangi Bay, said in the 20 years she has owned her manual, moonlight beige 1997 Toyota Corolla hatchback, the car has never let her down.

‘‘We share a mutual respect. I look after her and make sure she’s a happy Toyota. She finds parking spaces whenever we need them, and she gets me home again.’’

Horton said her car is loaded with happy memories.

North Shore Toyota chief executive Mark Jago said the vehicles are popular for being safe and economical,as well as being cheap to maintain.