What was the best birthday present you ever received, and why?
It was having all my family together to celebrate my 75th birthday. Family came from as faraway as New Plymouth. New Zealand Defence Medals were being given out at the same time, so I'm one of the few people who, on their birthday, has had the Minister of Defence present and the RSA Choir singing.
What smell do you find irresistible?
Cooking paua. There's something about that smell. Unfortunately, it is very rare todaybecause there are fewer paua.
What is your least favourite thing about humanity?
Hate between people, communities and nations. It is misunderstanding that drives a lot of hate, and that is the root of lots of the world's problems.
What is one strong childhood memory?
The day in September 1941 when we received a telegram saying my father was alive. He was in D Company of the Maori Battalion and went missing while fighting in Greece. For six months we heard nothing, and then we got that telegram saying he had been found in a German military hospital, in Greece. You should have seen my mother's face. I can still recall that vividly. It was the same day I started school. It was another three years before my father got home.
What is your message?
I've got two messages. We've got to protect the environment. And we must promote peace by having fellowship with all people, of all countries and creeds.
