Friends arrive for a catch-up — 10 years after their last one

Stephen Boniface, 56, and his wife Ruth Boniface, 59, were greeted by their friend Carolyn Lotawa, 48

Where have you travelled from today? Ruth: We’ve come from London, from Bishop’s Stortford near Cambridge, to see Carolyn, who we haven’t seen for 10 years. Wow. So what’s your relationship? Carolyn: God! 25 years ago, I met them in London when I was living in London. So you’re old friends? Carolyn: Yeah. I used to live in Australia, and now I live here [in Auckland]. Stephen: She lodged with us for a while, and looked after our children when they were very young. Ruth: And then she came back to Australia, she decided to get married. So I said, ‘please can I come to the wedding?’ She said yes, so I came over and left my three children with my husband for two weeks, and it was lovely, it was nice. So it’s very special [to be seeing her again in New Zealand]. Carolyn: And I’ve moved countries and they’ve found me here as well. You can’t get rid of them! Stephen: And I’ve got relatives here as well. We’re visiting relatives. My uncle emigrated here in the 60s, so I’ve got an aunt and cousins, and some of my cousins I haven’t seen for 30 years, and we’re meeting up with them between Christmas and New Year. Lovely. Where are they based? Stephen: Wellington, but they’re in Tauranga at the moment, so we’re going there as well. So this will be your first summer Christmas? Ruth: It’s our first Christmas away from home, we’ve left two daughters at home. One daughter lives in China, and she’s actually in Australia, in Sydney today, and she arrives tonight . . . It’s really lovely, it’s very special for us, very special. Stephen: And in addition, I’m achieving a lifetime’s dream because I’m flying in a Spitfire out of Ardmore Airfield. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do, and when we knew we were coming and I knew there was a two-seater Spitfire to fly in, I booked it, but I had to lose 15kg otherwise I’m too heavy. So, we’ve got a lot going on. Well, that sounds fun Ruth: Yeah, we’re looking forward to it actually. Stephen: It’s our first time in New Zealand.

Ruth: It looks amazing.