Mark Baxter remains a larger-than-life figure, a life member of the Otago University Students Association, and he was, for about 15 years, a high-profile advocate for students at Otago Polytechnic.
Perhaps less well known are his enthusiasm for sports cars, including his Russian-built Lada four-wheel-drive car used for off-road events, and his roles at the Otago Sports Car Club, including as a former secretary and vice-president.
Q Why do you do what you do, including your former role with the Otago Polytechnic Students Association?
A I'm known as Dunedin's longest-studying undergraduate student. This is, of course, not true, and while I did take nearly a decade to complete a degree, I haven't studied since last century.
After a false start studying boring straight sciences, simply because that's what I did at school, I discovered psychology, an interesting, developing and useful science. But this was when Labour introduced fees to universities and polytechnics and National took away student allowances, so I also discovered activism and student politics.
Both this activity and not being able to afford to study full-time contributed to my decade-long psychology BSc, completed in 1999.
After university, I was employed by the Otago Polytechnic Students' Association as a student liaison officer. OPSA is a much smaller operation than the University Students' Association, and everything was essentially done by three staff and occasional volunteers.
As a result, we'd turn our hands to most any task, so I became a jack of all trades but a master of none.
I held this role until the end of last year when, sadly, voluntary membership imposed on students' associations meant they could no longer afford my role.
Q What is your guiltiest pleasure?
A Although I'm a lefty-socialist type, many people are surprised to find out I'm also a long-time petrol-head.
I was lucky enough to have a Mk1 Ford Escort coupe as my first car in the mid-'80s. It wasn't fast but it did go around corners better than most of the rolly-polly cars my contemporaries drove and hence flattered my average driving.
Escorts were known for their rally abilities and, already being a rally fan from discovering '60s and '70s rally books in the high-school library during ''free'' periods, the Escort set the mould. It wasn't until the early '90s that I had an Escort again, and one that would do OK in motorsport.
Q What have you been up to at the Otago Sports Car Club?
A I rejoined the Otago Sports Car Club about 13 years ago with the Honda CR-X, and volunteered for the relatively easy role of editor for the OSCC's publication, but instead ending up also being volunteered as club secretary and, between just three of us, organising and running most of the club events.
Unfortunately, I found being a busy official takes away the pleasure from entering events as you never have time to set your own car up or relax into an event and, as a result, my entry into events slowly dropped off.
I managed to win my class in both the 2008 Speed and Autocross Championships and get my name on a couple of trophies, but that was more thanks to attrition and persistence, than any skills.
I became vice-president a few years ago, but I've now stepped back from an organising role. This summer I'm hoping to make something of a comeback to actually competing in motorsport by entering the sealed 2WD speed championship, which began in early December and continues with another event at Bethunes Gully on February 12.
These events can be entered by anyone in their daily car with only a few simple safety additions, essentially a fire extinguisher and helmet and overalls (find out more at www.OSCC.co.nz).
I've been a staunch advocate of keeping as many events as possible open to plain road cars, so that people can give motorsports a fair go without having to spend thousands on a specially-built car.
Q What is your earliest memory as a youngster?
A I remember the side-gate and couch in Grange St, Dunedin North. No, these aren't drunken recollections of being a student in the '90s, but the house my family lived in when I was born.
Speaking of being born, I was born in the maternity hospital just around the corner from Grange St in what is now Hayward Hall, so students now live in the room I was born in.
Q Property aside, what's the most extravagant thing you've bought?
A I finally managed to afford a Toyota MR2 and bought one for a bargain $1600 about 10 years ago; which probably remains my biggest single purchase.
I suspect inflation means I really need to raise my rule of not paying more than $1000 for a car. I once shouted a round of Guinnesses at a large table on St Patrick's Day; but it has to be said they were on a good special.
Q Who would play you in the film of your life and why?
A Gérard Depardieu would have been great. He has the stature and attitude - once a socialist, he's now turned out to be a right-wing tax-dodger and welfare hater, so he wouldn't be at the top of my list.
Q What would be your dream job?
A I very much enjoyed the advocacy role of my OPSA work, and would very happily be a student advocate again.
Q What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
A Other than money, fitness. I've been rebuilding my fitness since I had a heart attack three years ago. I swim twice a week and occasionally cycle and walk.
My fitness has much improved, though hills are still a challenge when cycling. I have a vague goal of swimming across the harbour one day, but my fear of meeting a shark or, more likely, a seal, is more likely to prevent that than fitness.
Q What keeps you awake at night?
A Insomnia, BBC World News, and concern for where the world is going; perhaps there's a relationship there? The Comedy Channel for an antidote.
Q What song would you like played at your funeral?
A The Toy Dolls' cover of The Final Countdown, complete with kazoos. Seriously though, if it was my choice, I'd have some of the local bands I follow (and if Blackthorn reformed) play a gig, crack out what's left of my whisky collection and have a good time. A messy mixture of punk and Celtic.
