Life lessons: Jools and Lynda Topp

Jools and Lynda Topp. Photo / Richard Robinson

If you could change one thing about New Zealanders what would it be?
Lynda: We're a pretty good bunch, us Kiwis. Maybe we could get a bit more organic in our way of thinking, but you don't want to go changing too much.

What has performing taught you?
Jools: Not to judge people. People are always open to being entertained and we have such a broad audience from grandmas right down to the grandkids. I can't even find a negative - in all types of performance you have to take the good with the bad and move on.

What is your favourite memory?
Lynda: That would have to be coming home from school and seeing Knobby, the old horse Dad had got for us, standing in the paddock. He was beautiful and I'll never forget it.

If you're feeling unsettled, what settles you down again?
Lynda: I take a long walk up a beautiful South Island river with my fly rod. Bliss.

If you could do anything else what would it be, and why?
Jools and Lynda: Hey, why would we change things? It's taken us 30 years to get here. We're sticking with this singing thing.

What was the last thing to make you think "wow"?
Jools: I started a wild mustang under saddle in America right after I was diagnosed with cancer. That was pretty "wow" and I got to tick it off my bucket list.

What do you like/ dislike most about yourself?
Jools: It's interesting to write about ourselves as we don't often think of it, but I'd like to think that I am generous, you know with my time, my love and my craft. I learnt a long time ago that disliking things about yourself is counter-productive - you have to love everything, warts and all, because it's only then that things can change.

The Topp Twins are presently touring New Zealand. They are performing at Cable Bay Vineyards on Waiheke Island next Saturday and Ascension Wine Estate, Matakana, on February 13.