PARALYMPIAN - REBECCA DUBBER
Rebecca Dubber is a favourite for the
100m backstroke and 400m freestyle in the 2012 Paralympics in London. Dubber was born with lumbosacral agenesis, a rare spinal condition. She currently holds the world record for 800m freestyle, and also won bronze for 100m backstroke at the 2010 IPC World Championships.
I was born in … Auckland.
I now live in … Auckland – I have lived here my whole life.
What I love about NZ … are the beaches! I love living in a country surrounded by water. Where I live I am never more than 15 minutes away from a beach and during summer it’s one of my favourite places to be.
What I remember about growing up in NZ is … summer holidays at Whangamata. My family used to stay down there every year over New Year’s since before I can remember. We stopped a few years ago, but hopefully I will be going down with some of my friends for New Year’s this year.
My favourite place in NZ is … Whangamata. I have some amazing memories from this place that I will never forget and I hope to make more in the future.
What I would like to see for NZ is …
lots and lots of medals at next year’s Olympics and Paralympics!
I’m proudest of NZ when … we achieve sporting greatness. [Being] an athlete myself … seeing our country do well in our sporting endeavours really makes me proud.
My favourite NZ holiday memory …
I remember one year while we were on holiday in Whangamata, my cousins and I entered a Miss Whangamata competition for fun. It was extremely funny because it’s not something we would normally do.
My favourite NZ city is … Auckland. I have lived in this city my whole life. I love it. Auckland is my home and I couldn’t see myself living anywhere else in the country.
MAYOR - BOB PARKER
Bob Parker was elected mayor of Christchurch in 2007 and re-elected in 2010. Parker’s career initially started in radio broadcasting, then television where he was the original host of This is Your Life, a job he held for 12 years from 1984 to 1996. Career choices took him to Wellington and Auckland, but he returned to Christchurch in 1992. Parker’s handling of the 2010 earthquake in Christchurch received high praise. He is currently coordinating efforts
to rebuild a devastated Christchurch after the recent earthquakes.
I was born in … St George’s Hospital in Christchurch.
I now live in … Christchurch.
What I love about NZ is … that it is home to the South Island, which in my view is the greatest little country on earth.
What I remember about growing up in NZ is … having the freedom to roam and explore on Banks Peninsula, great libraries and books, and [a] life [that] was simple, happy and sunny.
My favourite place in NZ is … a very closely held secret, but I can
tell you it lies
among the beautiful bays and peaks of Banks Peninsula.
What I would like to see for NZ is … a strong and growing economy to provide our young people with
the platform on which they can build great lives
and sustain a wonderful future.
I’m proudest of NZ when …people say
“you live in a beautiful, friendly, amazing place and I would love to live there, too”.
My favourite
NZ holiday memory … is celebrating Christmas Day on an isolated beach – we were the only people there, sharing a picnic with the kids. That’s the way Christmas should be celebrated.
My favourite
NZ city is … Christchurch, of course, because it is at the heart of the magical South Island. It’s such a wonderful place to enjoy your life.
ENTREPRENEUR - TONY TIMPSON
Tony Timpson has had a varied career. He bankrolled the business publication The Independent for 14 years before Fairfax purchased it; was chairman of Richmond Meat; director of the New Zealand Wool Board and Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand; and he established the Cavalier Carpet Corporation. In 2010, he was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
I was born in … Geraldine, South Canterbury.
I now live in … Westmere, Auckland.
What I love about
NZ is … plenty of understated humour
and friendship.
What I remember about growing up in NZ is … the freedom to roam around the country.
My favourite place in New Zealand is … anywhere without earthquakes.
What I would like to see for NZ is … non-party politics.
I’m proudest of
NZ when … we produce some innovative product
that is accepted
worldwide.
My favourite
NZ holiday memory … Christmas at The Coromandel with
the family.
My favourite NZ
city is … prior to September
2010, it was Christchurch. Loads of nostalgia there,
as I majored in rugby
and cricket at university
in Christchurch.
SHOE DESIGNER - CARRIE COOPER
Shoe designer Carrie Cooper began her career with a Portuguese shoe manufacturer in the UK. She spent the next eight years working for some of the most talented labels around, including Alexander McQueen. In 2008, Cooper relocated to Sydney to head the burgeoning accessory and footwear division of Ksubi. There, Cooper met David and Rocco Mascitelli of Nick Mascitelli Imports (NMI). Cooper approached the brothers with a proposition for an in-house footwear department and House of Last was born. To date, House of Last works with brands such as Stolen Girlfriends Club and Leona Edmiston. When the Mascitelli brothers gave Cooper the freedom to start her own brand, the label Beau Coops was born.
I was born in … Auckland, the same day Elvis died.
I now live in … Sydney via London.
What I love about NZ is … in under an hour you can go from city life to a remote beach with only you and hundreds of sand dunes for company.
What I remember about growing up in NZ is … never wearing shoes to school in summer.
My favourite place in NZ is … on the water in any type of boat-like vessel, particularly if it’s heading to Vivian Bay, Kawau Island.
What I would like to see for NZ is …
a wee economic boost.
I’m proudest of NZ when … I travel. People are surprised at what comes out of our two little islands.
My favourite NZ holiday memory … is Mimiwhangata Marine Park. Many a summer was spent in the lagoon digging for pipis and finding secluded remote bays to play castaways.
My favourite NZ city is … Auckland. Well, I’m potentially biased, but what’s
not to love when you have a 40-minute drive to a west coast secluded beach (to watch what is arguably the best sunset on Earth) and four hours south you hit snow?
CHEFS - MICHAL MEREDITH & MARTIN BOSLEY
Chef Michael Meredith moved to New Zealand when he was 13 to live with his uncle. At 19, he enrolled at the Auckland University of Technology on scholarship to develop his talent with food. He was awarded another scholarship to study in the US at The Culinary Institute of America. Upon his return to New Zealand, he worked his way through the best of Auckland’s kitchens before opening his restaurant, Meredith’s, in 2007. He is one of the lead chefs taking part in Westfield Style Pasifika.
I was born in …
Apia, the capital of Samoa.
I now live in …
Mt Albert in Auckland with my family.
What I love about NZ is … the natural environment. It is a great place for my children to grow up, with fresh air, beautiful scenery, great food and clean water. We are very fortunate. I love the diversity of cultures and the different flavours and festivals that are brought into the community.
What I remember
about growing up in NZ is …
having Sunday roasts my mum used to cook after church; the sound of Mr Whippy driving by; lamingtons; and summers at the beach.
My favourite place in NZ
is …
Hawke’s Bay. It is a
great food and wine destination with a lot to offer including seasonal produce from all the boutique wineries and growers.
What I would like to see for NZ is …
people living in harmony and off the land, using what is grown and made right here. Also to appreciate the natural resources we have. We need more organic farming and to be sustainable.
I’m proudest of NZ when …
I look at my daughters,
who were all born in Waitakere. Also at work
when I get amazing, locally grown and sourced ingredients to work with.
My favourite NZ holiday memory is
… the Bay
of Islands, one of the
first settled areas in New Zealand, particularly Russell and Kerikeri.
My favourite NZ city is …
Wellington – it’s a cool little city with a great vibe offering great diversity and creativity.
What’s your involvement in the Westfield Style Pasifika event in October?
Designing a menu that reflects and showcases New Zealand and Pacific cuisine with ingredients from both the land and the sea.
Where are you looking
for inspiration?
My inspiration comes from childhood memories and my mother’s cooking in Samoa, which was always a large family affair. My mother used whatever was in season and local all year round. I have tried to use the same philosophy with creating this menu, but looking more
into New Zealand ingredients – and also the landscape –
for inspiration.
What does Pasifika New Zealand mean to you?
For me, it means you have the best of both worlds. The Pacific people have brought a lot to New Zealand, creating a multicultural experience for many people. That includes the food, the culture and heritage, and the humour!
Chef Martin Bosley has worked in some of the most renowned restaurants and hotels in New Zealand and opened his first restaurant, Giverny, to critical acclaim followed by his seafood restaurant, Martin Bosley’s. He will be co-designing the dinner menu for Westfield Style Pasifika with Michael Meredith.
I was born in … the UK.
We moved to Wellington when
I was seven.
I now live in …
Mt Cook, Wellington. I have Massey University at one end and Toi Whakaari at the other – I’m surrounded by students.
What I love about NZ
is …
everything about it. I love the cultural diversity. We’re a small country with big country aspirations; we regularly punch above our weight in a lot of areas. In relation to my own business, you can’t beat the produce here – it’s absolutely world class. We’re really spoilt and I don’t think many people realise how spoilt we are.
What I remember about growing up in NZ is …
bare feet. I grew up at the beach. My parents moved to England when I was 12 and we used to run around England without shoes. A shopkeeper had a go at my mum once for not putting shoes on our feet. But in New Zealand you can do that.
My favourite place in
NZ is … Hawke’s Bay. My sister has a place in Te Awanga – a really magical place. I love the climate up there. It’s still a small beachside community and hasn’t been touched by property developers.
What I would like to see
for NZ is …
that we win the World Cup!
I’m proudest of NZ when … I’m away from it. As soon
as you’re away and people
ask you about New Zealand
you feel really good telling
them about it. When I’m cooking overseas, people are always surprised to meet someone from New Zealand. They want to know more
about the culture and sometimes what language we speak! They want to know about the cuisine. When you start to talk about it you realise how great it is and how proud we should be of it.
My favourite NZ memory … the holidays with my daughter, who is 14. They’re always a favourite, whatever we do. Last Christmas we cruised down the Tukituki River. It was a scorching hot Boxing Day. We threw the li-lo in the car and drifted down the stream, just the two of us.
My favourite NZ city is …
Wellington. The people, the culture – and the fact that it’s our cuisine capital. I love the integrity of the dining public and the restaurants. And it’s a beautiful city to live in.
What’s your involvement in the Westfield Style Pasifika event in October?
I am doing the dinner with a great friend, chef Michael Meredith. We’re designing
the menu.
Where are you looking
for inspiration?
We were looking for something that exemplified what New Zealand food is about. For inspiration I thought about our cultural crossover. What dish has its feet in both cultural camps? For me it’s the hangi, so we’ve included a dish called flavours of a hangi.
What does Pasifika New Zealand mean to you?
A celebration of the multicultural aspects and joys of living in New Zealand.
BEAUTY ENTREPRENEUR - MANDY GRAY
Mandy Gray, the founder and marketing director of True Solutions International, has been involved in the beauty industry for 40 years. Her company, which employs staff in Australia and New Zealand, is now a multimillion-dollar operation and distributes some of the world’s best skincare and make-up
lines as well as LED (Light-Emitting Diodes) Light Therapy. She spends much of her time working with doctors, scientists and professors to uncover the best new ingredients, latest technology and most effective products.
I was born in … Burma, then moved to New Zealand.
I now live in … Woollahra, Sydney.
What I love about NZ is … how green everything is, and the friendliness. My family also lives there, so I have that attachment, too. I love that it’s quirky
and is surrounded by ocean.
What I remember about growing up in NZ is … the freedom.
My favourite place in NZ is … Auckland.
What I would like to see for NZ is … more tourism.
I’m proudest of NZ when … they
put their national environment stance on the world stage and when they win artistic awards.
My favourite NZ holiday memory … walking the Milford Track.
When I’m in NZ … I always catch up with family and friends. I eat really well
as I love the restaurants and food.
The product I always bring home from NZ is … pineapple chunks. I love them! For special gifts I bring back merino possum socks; they are a mix of possum fur with the softest merino wool and they are so warm.
HORTICULTURALIST - BASIL GOODMAN
Basil Goodman is an award-winning horticulturalist and former chairman of Summerfruit New Zealand. He has had
a long association with
fruit production particularly in the Nelson/Marlborough and Central Otago
regions. Goodman is
now retired from fruit growing, but last year
was awarded the Bledisloe Cup (for horticulture)
and life membership
of Horticulture New Zealand for outstanding services to the fruit industry, which he says was a “humbling experience”.
I was born in … Motueka.
I now live in … Cromwell, Central Otago.
What I remember about growing up in NZ is … going to a small four-classroom primary school at Riwaka.
As the years progressed,
I recall being at the Motueka High School the first year after it opened. I was no real academic, and woodwork was one of my better subjects.
My favourite place in NZ
is … Nelson Province; great weather, fabulous fishing and a real opportunity for young people to find seasonal work to earn spare cash.
What I would like to see for New Zealand is … the education gap to narrow, giving young people better work opportunities and some incentive to want to work, with better rewards for effort more obviously available. I am critical of young people who don’t make a conscious work effort and revert to the benefit rather than persisting. I recall being reminded several times in my younger working days “that the only time you started at the top was when you were digging a hole”. As a former employer I wish more people would remember this.
I’m proudest of NZ when … our national sports teams
win international fixtures, especially our rugby and netballers playing and winning against Australia.
My favourite NZ holiday memory … sharing Christmas with my family wherever we choose to meet.
My favourite NZ city is …
Wellington. It is centrally located with easy access by air and rail ferry, with the airport only 30 minutes from downtown Wellington. The inner city is compact and for business it has a liberal mix of meeting venues. And with parliament based in Wellington there is reasonable access to ministers and government officials. Sharing an evening socialising over a meal in any one of a vast choice of restaurants is always an enjoyable end to a busy day.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT - SAM MARTIN
Landscape architect Sam Martin has won the multimillion-dollar contract in London to create a ‘forest’ on the site of Battersea Power Station (pictured with Martin), which is one of Europe’s most significant regeneration projects. Originally from Peel Forest and a South Canterbury farming family, Martin graduated from Lincoln University with bachelor and master’s degrees in landscape architecture in 1996. He moved to London in 2001 and established his own company, Exterior Architecture, in 2003, specialising in large-scale private residential garden design throughout the UK and Europe.
I was born in … Timaru.
I now live in … Battersea, London, with my wife and three children.
What I love about NZ is … the people, the place and
the lifestyle.
What I remember about growing up in NZ is …
the long hot summers, tickling trout and exploring the farm and the bush
with my brothers where
we grew up.
My favourite place in NZ is … where I grew up,
Peel Forest.
What I would like to see for NZ is … Christchurch
to become the garden city for the future.
I’m proudest of NZ when … every day I am away from New Zealand. It sounds cheesy but [I am] serious. Having spent 10 years in London and working around the world, I am reminded how uptight, convoluted and removed from reality people are outside of New Zealand.
My favourite NZ holiday memory … driving around the North Island in 1977 on the May school holidays in our Holden Kingswood station wagon. Growing
up where we did, I took
for granted the beauty of
the South Island, but that
trip opened my eyes to
how beautiful the rest of
the country is.
My favourite NZ city is … Christchurch. It is the first city I ever lived in. The first
city that I ever owned a house in. The first city
that I ever worked in. It
will always be the first city
in my eyes.
ARTIST - JOANNA BRAITHAITWE
Artist Joanna Braithwaite graduated from art school in 1984. Since that time she has won many awards for her imaginative artworks featuring unexpected juxtapositions of objects, people, animals and insects. She has been a finalist in the Archibald and Sulman art awards in Australia and has held solo exhibitions worldwide. Her upcoming exhibition, Significant Others, can be seen at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery in Wellington, June 2-August 7, and the Sarjeant Gallery in Wanganui, September 10-November 13.
I was born in … England, a Yorkshire lass. But I consider myself a New Zealander since I was a baby when my folks came here.
I now live in … Sydney, in Leichhardt with Neil Frazer [a painter also from New Zealand] and Brains, our pug. We live and paint in a building that used to be a drug and alcohol rehab drop-in centre. Every night I need to have a glass of a Central Otago pinot.
What I love about NZ
is … they make the best fish and chips in the world. I remember sitting in a steamy car at Sumner Beach, Christchurch, eating fresh fish and chips as the seagulls circled enthusiastically.
What I remember about growing up in NZ is … we spent a lot of time outdoors, bike riding, running and swimming all summer at the local baths. My father was a Labour candidate when Norman Kirk was prime minister. We had a car with a loud speaker on top. My parents let us have many different animals at home – it was a great childhood.
My favourite place in NZ is … Tunnel Beach in Dunedin. There is a drama and scariness about the powerful waves and massive rock formations that beats anywhere else I have been. It gives you a real buzz.
What I would like to see for NZ is … for New Zealanders to really celebrate each other’s successes.
I’m proudest of NZ
when … I recognise the amazing and unique achievements of so many New Zealanders. I am proud to be a New Zealand artist as I consider myself to be in excellent company.
My favourite NZ holiday memory … We used to pack up the car, and the family and our dog would go to Queenstown for two weeks over summer. We once stayed in a very odd holiday rental that doubled as a hairdresser’s and all the plants in the garden were surrounded by hair clippings instead of soil.
My favourite NZ city is … Christchurch. It is my home in New Zealand. I’m deeply affected by what has happened. My mother and brother live there. I hope and believe that the people of Christchurch will be able to rally together and embrace sustainable building solutions so that it is better than ever for the future.
