‘I like to disappear for a while’
Summer is here, a time to celebrate, switch off, eat fish and chips, chomp ice cream and wear Crocs or jandals. But can a chief executive do all that, or is work always looming? Kevin Norquay has asked two dozen CEOs about all things summer, in a weekly s
Mark Knoff-Thomas, Newmarket Business Association The association represents around 3100 members in the Newmarket business district, in Auckland.
How long do you take off over summer?
I usually take two to three weeks off work during the Christmas holiday period.
November and December really ramp up for us and we go into overdrive because it’s the busiest time of the year for retail and hospitality, January tends to be much quieter. We have an annual shut-down in the office for Christmas and New Year so it’s a good chance to take a break.
Is it a total break or do you answer emails, and if so when?
I do try to take a bit of a break. But it’s hard not to be connected as there is always something happening in Newmarket.
Thankfully some days over that period are pretty quiet as Auckland does its annual mass exodus. I love how New Zealand “goes fishing” for a few weeks, it’s very cool. Kiwis, for the most part, have a really good work-life balance and a lot of people are able to chill out for a couple of weeks over the summer holidays.
Is there a special place you go?
I have a little place up in Coopers Beach in Doubtless Bay and, as soon as I get to the top of the hill leading into Coopers Beach, all the issues and worries just float off my shoulders. I like to disappear for a while, dive into some books, go for long walks, crank up the BBQ, and look out at the spectacular bay and unwind.
What was the best summer holiday you ever had?
My best summer holiday would have to have been a trip to Italy and Greece not long before the word Covid joined our vocabulary.
Italy is one of my favourite countries in the world. I was lucky enough to spend some time in Venice, Milan, Florence and Rome. The food, history, culture, fashion, language, architecture, people etc. are all simply magnificent. I think about the Roman Empire a lot...
And the worst?
Oh there were a few, especially in my OE days. I remember many washed-out camping trips. And another trip of note was a package tour to Malta as a 20-something-year-old. I didn’t fully grasp what a UK-style package tour was in those days. In my excitement at getting a very cheap deal, I failed to realise it was a golden oldies trip, complete with red coats, singalongs on the bus, etc. Met some lovely people though, and Malta was fascinating.
What’s your favourite fish and chip shop?
It would have to be the Mangōnui fish and chip shop in the Far North, they do the freshest seafood in one of the most iconic little fish and chip shops sitting right over the water.
But if it’s heaving I will go to Fresh and Tasty which is just down the road beside the Mangōnui Tavern. You’re really spoiled for choice with fresh fish up there. It’s amazing.
And your favourite summer treat?
Real fruit ice cream. Honestly, I’ll go out of my way to hunt it down because I just love it. I think they should be everywhere because it’s just the best.
Do you own a pair of Crocs?
No, but I’m a massive supporter of Crocs and the Croc shop on Broadway in Newmarket is an institution and trades up a storm. It’s really incredibly popular. But no, I don’t own a pair of Crocs and I’ve actually never even tried on a Croc.
Have you ever taken a summer holiday, only to return to mayhem?
After my most recent holiday this year I came back and things were pretty full-on for the first couple of weeks. It was like a baptism of fire, after weeks of not thinking about any kind of issue, then coming back to deal with a thousand.
Angela Carver, KiwiHarvest
KiwiHarvest reduces the negative impacts of food waste by redistributing excess food, helping nourish those in need. Every month it rescues 170,000200,000kg of good-quality surplus food, and diverts this back to people who are struggling.
How long do you take off over summer?
Summer tends to be a busy time in food rescue, with the surplus from Christmas coming our way and also a lot of people and families feeling the squeeze over the festive season. I tend to take time off later in the year.
Is it a total break or do you answer emails, and if so when?
I do try to take a total break of a couple of weeks at least once a year. Being the CE of a food rescue is so rewarding that I don’t actually mind keeping in touch when I am on holiday.
Is there a special place you go?
My special place to go when my children where younger was Plantation Island in Fiji. This was a real break for the family and the mum as there is no cooking that you do on the island. So a great place to have a mum holiday too.
What was the best summer holiday you ever had?
Snorkelling off Plantation island, sitting beside the pool reading a book and taking a dip when it got to hot. Kids loving the kids club and great food and company and no washing, cooking or dishes for me to do.
And the worst?
The “four seasons in a day” in NZ is true. Camping one year we got rained out and had to spend the night in the car with the kids. What a mess to clean up before we headed home!
What’s your favourite fish and chip shop?
Any fish and chip shop by a beach. Crispy chips, fish and potato fritters spread out on the beach is a firm favourite.
And your favourite summer treat?
Can you go past a choc bar or jelly tip?
Do you own a pair of Crocs?
I used to own a pink pair, but they got stolen by my son.
I’m more of a jandal gal to be honest.
Have you ever taken a summer holiday,
only to return to mayhem?
Thankfully no, I am proud of the team we have at KiwiHarvest, we have worked hard to ensure people are able to problem-solve and make decisions should anything go pear-shaped in our operation.
We did have a busy summer last year with the Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle. That was a bit of mayhem, trying to save food from the floods plus meet the extra demand with a lot of people out of their homes.
The team stepped up though and we did our part with the help along with some of our key supporters.