So much going for Northland
Lindis Capper-Starr, Kerikeri Mission Station tour guide, lives in Kerikeri.
I like that you can look up at night and see all the milk in the Milky Way. Actually all the things I like best about the North are things that aren’t here. The empty spaces, the dark nights, the silent times and the ability to be alone in a forest or on a beach.
My partner David Clendon and I have lived in Kerikeri for four years but owned land near Taipa since 1999. My parents moved to the Far North in the 1980s from my birthplace of Taupo.
My least favourite things are varroa mite and kauri die-back disease. They both make me want to cry.
If I knew how to fix either of them I would. I can only hope enough resourcing can be given to people who do biosecurity and conservation to prevent other disasters like these from happening in the future.
My oldest favourite place to eat is in my sister-in-law’s kitchen. She may be the best cook in Northland but I can’t tell you her name because then everyone would want her lavender cake and there would be less for me. Instead
My highlight of the week is Thursday evening marching practice with the Northland Tuis Leisure Marching Team. I go there for fun, friendship, fitness and to catch up on all the best gossip. Our Leader, Sandra, comes all the way from Kaitaia. It must be really good gossip to bring her all that way.
My Dad. An old-fashioned gentleman and the voice of calm
The banks of the Wairoa River, currently being uncovered by the Vision Kerikeri team. Apparently there’s a secret waterfall. Don’t tell anyone.
Do everything in my power to build community resilience. Get people out walking and biking, meeting their neighbours, talking to each other, sharing produce.
I’d get business people talking to non-profits, kaumatua talking to kids, teachers talking to prison guards and parents talking to medical people. That’s a lot of talking.
But if people could get to know each other and share their problems, I think a lot of them would be able to help each other, rather than hoping the mayor would be able to help them. Then the mayor would be redundant and I would go to the beach.
Sit on our deck, dreaming about what I would do in the garden if only I had a few free hours.