MY PERFECT SUMMER

Dreaming of Europe Wellington Zoo chief executive Karen Fifield shares her holiday plans.

My perfect holiday is . . . anywhere in Europe. I love the whole history and magic of old cultures. I think many Europeans have worked out what matters most in life because of their long histories – fun, food, friends and family. Turkey and Budapest are two places that I’d go back to. I once owned a house on Turkey’s sparkling Aegean coast. I remember summer days looking out to the Greek Islands. I also lost my heart on the Danube in Budapest. It’s a wonderful city full of history and culture. But in reality I’ll be . . . enjoying Wellington. I am looking forward to being at home, taking it easy and soaking up Wellington’s summer. If past years are to go by, I’ll be putting the blanket away after Christmas and enjoying a warm New Year. My best summer ever was . . . I grew up in Australia and camping at the beach as a kid was fantastic. We used to go to the same camping site on the south coast of NSW every year and I loved going prawn catching at night with my father in his rickety rowboat guided by the light of a lantern. My friends and I would run through the sand dunes swim in the lake and the sea. Even though I am a vegetarian now, I still remember the smell of bacon and eggs cooking on the barbecue. The best thing about 2014 was . . . visiting India for the first time. India is an incredible experience like I have not experienced anywhere else. It is an assault on mind, body and spirit but so amazing. The conservation work I saw there was mind-blowing given the challenges of having over 1 billion people. The innovation and dedication of people working to save wildlife in India really inspired me. The worst thing was . . . that the world still cannot find peace. The recent siege in Sydney really brought that so close to home. In 2015, I’m most looking forward to . . . more travel, of course, especially to see some of Wellington Zoo’s conservation partners. But closer to home we will be opening Meet the Locals, Wellington Zoo’s New Zealand precinct which is our love story for New Zealand. And, on a personal note, celebrating my significant birthday in July!