If I could...

If I could swap lives with someone, it would be.. David Attenborough. I grew up watching “Our World” and was in awe of his bravery and knowledge. He has seen more of the earth than almost any human, and has encountered so many species it boggles the mind. Imagine how many creatures he has seen in the flesh that do not even exist anymore. If we are swapping lives, I would undoubtably be getting the best deal. Poor David… he would at least end up in a life where he wouldn’t need to leave the house to find some incredible ecosystems forming.

If I could spend a day with anyone, it would be..

My mum, Robyne O’Rourke, who is the same age as David Attenborough and who also has the best life stories and an incredibly positive outlook on life. She was born and raised in Motueka, but has lived in Australia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Foxton Beach (exotic, right?), Dunedin, Christchurch and Timaru. In her working life she was a teacher, but when she retired she became a Buddhist Monk based in Taiwan and Malaysia. She is 86 now and back in Motueka. Mum’s life has been actionpacked, and she hasn’t run out of stories to tell me yet. Mum has set the bar high on a life full of great yarns.

If I could only eat one meal for the rest of my life it would be..

Are you serious?! Who would EVER want to do that? I am a total foodie. I have taught myself to cook over the years by trying out at least three new recipes a week. The recipes for the week ahead are chosen at random on a Sunday night, from three shelves of recipe books in my kitchen. So, one night it might be Indian Pakora, the next Pad Thai, the next German Potato Salad (best potato salad ever, by the way) and the next night I could be using Dame Alison Holst’s 1966 recipe for Soused Trout. And you want me to imagine eating just one meal for the rest of my life?! I will never surrender!

If I could tell my younger self one thing it would be..

Never stop singing, never stop dancing, never stop talking to strangers.

If I could only take one thing to a desert island, it would be..

My large lollipop lilo. I have a ridiculous love of pool inflatables. My current collection includes a sloth, a donut, a giant turtle and an enormous lollipop. I would take the large lollipop lilo to the desert island so it could double as an airbed (no one likes to wake up with sand stuck to their face or coral sticking into their back!). It could double as a shade sail (to protect my pale and easily sunburnt Celtic skin from the desert island sun), work as a collector of rainwater (for drinking and bathing) and, of course, for riding in style to the neighbouring island for happy hour!

If I could donate $1m to any charity it would be..

That’s easy! Age Concern Nelson Tasman. There is no doubt that “older people” are our future. The world is changing fast and our increasing numbers of older people (that’s you and I one day, by the way) are going to need more support than ever before to navigate the changes. Age Concern is a notfor-profit organisation who help older people with everything from helping to stay tech savvy, to staying connected to our community (not isolated or lonely), staying safe from elder abuse or scams and so much more. I worked for Age Concern a few years back and was jaw-dropped to discover that Age Concern wasn’t fully funded by the government. One million is a drop in the bucket really, but if I had it to give, it could get Age Concern a step closer to being sustainable for all of us to benefit from as we age.

If I could have any job, it would be…

The job I have now at Coastal View Lifestyle Village, but with a side hustle making a TV/online docuseries about retirement in New Zealand. I would love to share so many of the stories that I have seen and heard from our over 65’s. I went on a roadie once talking to retirees living the gypsy life in campers and buses in New Zealand. It is years later, and their stories still make me laugh or have my jaw hitting the floor when I think of them. That group of adventurers alone is waiting for their own TV show. I would love to make that happen.