Beaches still please

Drama teacher Mark Jensen, 57, said part of his neighbourhood’s charm in Torbay is the friendliness of the locals

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

I have lived here since 1988. I come from South Auckland, Manurewa

Describe your neighbourhood.

I teach at Northcross Intermediate school and know lots of people in my community.

Everyone says hello.

Torbay has the best butcher shop in New Zealand.

What is your earliest memory of the Shore? My earliest memory is swimming at Waiake, and how clean the water was.

What are the greatest advantages to living here?

The greatest advantage is still the beaches. Also the interesting variety of amateur theatre companies that manage to survive.

Where is your favourite North Shore beach and why?

My favourite North Shore beach is Waiake. All my kids learnt to swim there and we spent so many summers walking to the beach and swimming out to the pontoon.

Who is the person you admire most and why?

Bruce Springsteen, he’s an excellent songwriter and always sings from the heart.

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

People who complain about dogs. Dogs never complain about people.

What is the best place to have a meal? Burger Fuel, except they don’t do beer batter

‘‘All my kids learnt to swim [out at Waiake] and we spent so many summers walking to the beach and swimming out to the pontoon.’’

Mark Jensen

chips anymore.

What’re you doing this weekend?

This weekend I definitely have my first swim of the summer, with my dog…then go for Burger Fuel.