An east-west fusion

Ashia Ismail-Singer, school nurse and urgent care nurse, lives in Castor Bay with her husband and two children

How long have you lived here and where are you from?

I have lived on the North Shore for the last seven years and prior to this we lived in the UK, I am actually born and brought up in Malawi, Africa

Describe your neighbourhood.

We actually border on to Milford, so we can access the beach, due to the amazing bridge, and are handy to the shops.

What is your earliest memory of the Shore? When we came to Auckland, one of the first things that struck me was the ‘‘holiday’’ feel as soon I was over the harbour bridge, and seeing the sea/harbour, just amazing.

What are the greatest advantages to living here?

Being so close to everything, work, friends living nearby, eating out and we love the outdoor lifestyle. We are a very active family, we ride our bikes together, go paddle boarding and walking with our dog. The cafes are great and within walking distance.

Who is the person you admire the most and why?

It would have to be my mum (my dad too, really hard to choose!) but my mum because she taught me how to cook and I love cooking and entertaining. I am actually going to publish my first cookbook, due out in the shops next year. It’s a real fusion of east and west with food from my Indian heritage and then living in the UK and I am also married to a New Zealander so some Kiwi flavours in the mix! So look out for ‘‘My Indian Kitchen’’ next year.

What do you like least about the Shore and how can we fix it?

I would say most of its great but maybe the traffic situation and more speed bumps around schools, to prevent speeding drivers

Where is the best place to have a meal?

It would have to be at home, alfresco, with a whole lot of great friends and good food.

‘‘I love cooking and entertaining. I am actually going to publish my first cookbook.’’