Great sports clubs

Mike McCarthy, insurance advisor and New Zealand Cricket volunteer of the year, Mairangi Bay

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

Have lived on the North Shore for nine years, originally from Wellington. We originally moved to Greenhithe for six months then found a great spot on Penzance Road and have been here since. Describe your neighbourhood.

My catch cry is “Mairangi Bay is the Jewel of the Shore’’. A good safe village atmosphere. Would really like to see a butcher in Mairangi Bay!

What is your earliest memory of the Shore? Our first Christmas in Mairangi Bay, taking our small kids down to the Christmas lights in Honeysuckle Lane. There was one particular house that would go ‘‘all out’’.

What are the greatest advantages to living here?

Access to great schools, lots of beaches and beach walks. On the Shore, in general, we also have some great sporting clubs and sporting facilities.

Where is your favourite North Shore beach and why?

Mairangi Bay, only beach with a surf lifesaving club, just a stumble to dairy or the fish and chip store after a day at the beach.

Who is the person you admire the most and why?

My lovely gorgeous wife Bonita, who puts up with me. I also really admire people who give their own time to help others. Especially those who help run sporting clubs or who manage and coach kids’ sport.

What do you like least about the Shore and

‘‘Mairangi Bay is the jewel of the Shore’’

how can we fix it?

Disliking the increasing amount of graffiti that appears around the place. How we fix it, I do not know.

What are you doing this weekend?

Once I have mowed the lawns, I will be working on the bar at Takapuna Cricket Club, and watching our premier teams play at Onewa Domain.