Dame Patsy Reddy is the Governor General of New Zealand.
What was the best birthday present you ever received, and why?
For me, even as a child, birthdays were special because of the event: the birthday meal or party, rather than the gifts. As a child I loved visiting my grandmother who lived in Kerepehi on the Hauraki Plains. She had an amazing vegetable garden and was a great cook, and my mother would always bake a specially decorated birthday cake. In more recent years I've celebrated birthdays in many different parts of the world. For my last "big" birthday, David and I were in Taormina in Sicily, which was a wonderful experience.
What smell do you find irresistible?
I think the smell of freshly ground coffee beans is hard to resist. Some think Wellington is the coffee capital of the world and I must admit we can be rather obsessive about good quality fresh coffee!
What is one strong childhood memory?
Family summer holidays at the camping ground at the base of Mauao at Mt Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty, where we would stay in a caravan. That seemed perfect to me; just a short walk from the surf beach, the harbour and the hot pools. As well, there were the best fish and chips I can remember.
What is your message?
New Zealand has the talent to contribute creative, innovative responses to global challenges. We can make a difference by showing that we can offer environmentally sustainable and economically smart solutions to improve living standards and well being.
If you were going to an island and could take only three things, what would they be and why?
My husband David, my dog Coco, and the complete works of Shakespeare (or my iphone and charger so I could access books, movies and music, assuming we had electricity).
