David Brown is chairman and co-founder of the Dunedin Night Shelter Trust.
What smell do you find irresistible?
Mushrooms cooking, preferably along with a steak, but I can enjoy mushrooms any way, any time.
What is your least favourite thing about humanity?
Our tendency toward excessive individualism. (A confession of my own weakness.) It causes us to be grasping and covetous. We tend to be less generous, because we think if we give, we somehow lose or lessen ourselves. It stops us asking and receiving from others. It hinders our empathy for others and our connections with them.
What is one strong childhood memory?
A special memory is Sunday roast dinners at home, often with guests. There was plenty of food, white tablecloth and lots of talking. They were special times. Secondly, the memory of the day my father died when I was a young teenager.
What is your message?
My ''mind picture'' of the ideal society is of trampers crossing a river. They link arms, or grasp a strong stick together. In the journey across the current, they share each other's strength. If one trips or finds the current too strong, they are joined to others whose strength helps them through. Barack Obama commenting on his core faith said, ''a belief that we are connected as people, that there are values that transcend race or culture, that move us forward, and that there's an obligation for us ... to take responsibility to make those values lived''. When we involve ourselves in that lifestyle, true fulfilment and happiness is found.
If you were going to an island and could only take three things, what would they be and why?
My Swiss army knife: the only times I am without it are when I am on a plane or leading a ceremony. Writing materials: As a seriously ''mature'' person, I would enjoy the isolation and time out to reflect and write on what I have learned about life so far. Good walking shoes, because walking is a great exercise for thinking about, exploring and appreciating life.
