Erica Tenquist, from Summerset in the Orchard in Hastings, chats about keeping busy and her philosophy on life.

— 01 — WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR 21-YEAR-OLD SELF?

Don’t be afraid to try different things if you’re not happy with where you are. That applies to jobs or houses or anything – just get up and move! It’s important to get out and do things. You don’t stop and look back; you just keep on.

— 02 — WHAT WAS YOUR JOB IN YOUR YOUNGER DAYS?

I’ve done a lot of things! I’m a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for volunteer work in Featherston. I’ve worked as a librarian, I was a speech teacher, and later I worked at Parliament doing media research.

— 03 — YOU’RE A HARD LADY TO GET HOLD OF. WHAT KEEPS YOU BUSY AT SUMMERSET?

I play cards and mah-jong, I’m in a U3A group, and because I’m a Justice of the Peace I go to the court a couple of times a week to witness people’s documents. I record oral histories for the Hawke’s Bay Knowledge Bank, then there’s also bingo and Founders group. Is that enough do you think?!