Silver Fern Temepara George stars as the Grand Marshal of the Farmers' Santa Parade this Sunday, leading more than 4000 participants and 280 fantastic floats through Auckland's CBD. She tells Catherine Smith what she loves about her southern corner of Auckland, Wiri, and the lifestyle it's given her and daughter Jusdean, 16, son Erin, 13, and dog Nahla.
I've lived in this area since I was born - Mum and Dad bought here when there were no houses around. We were looking at photos the other day and it was all farmland. There are still four or five neighbours that have been here from then as well. That's the reason I love it - there are Indians, Tongans, all multicultural, we still see each other with our children and all wave out.
We all used to play cricket as we were in a no-exit street and I used to hang out with my brothers (one older, one younger) and my sister. But not netball, no way, we couldn't play girl sports. It was all cricket or soccer or touch or rugby, on the road or on our back lawn, with all the kids from the street.
Apart from when I've been overseas, I've always come home - my partner is over in West Auckland, but I always come back.
Totara Park is my favourite spot. I've done lots of training in the bush and now that my kids are getting into fitness, I take them for a few sessions. There are 100 steps in the bush, that's good training.
There's also a barbecue, tennis court and swimming pool there. Totara Park is only about five minutes from home and it's the place that's all about family. When you're there you feel like you are out of Auckland, in this amazing bush it just feels miles away. It even smells different - the bush, even the cowpats. I've been taking the kids up there since they were little and now we take the dog up there for walks. We have to be careful with her because she's so little, but she thinks she's right up there with all the big dogs - though she's all bark and no bite.
I work with charities and have speaking engagements all over, but South Auckland is where I got my start in rep netball so it's always home and part of who I am. The Brown Rd netball courts at Manurewa were where I started and then, with Counties Manukau, we used to train out there.
I went to Tangaroa College and a girlfriend and I would walk to school every day, and we'd always buy a Snickers bar to see us through the 20 minutes to get to school.
I teach my kids to eat healthier than that, I hope. Now my favourite things to eat are the cream scones at The Terrace Cafe just down the road.
When I was a teenager, Rainbow's End was pretty cool for teenagers, being the only place with a rollercoaster. And then there was the Manukau Shopping Centre - oh, I've spent a lot of time and money at that place, far too much.
We have the Velodrome about five minutes' walk from here, it's a massive park so I take Nahla there for walks or play tennis down there with the kids.
Our beach is Maraetai. People laugh that it's not a beach, but it was the closest water for us when we were growing up, so it has special meaning for me in terms of family.
I haven't danced since Dancing with the Stars, but Stefano Olivieri has become a very good friend. I do find myself having a little jig when I hear certain beats on the radio, but only when no one's looking. For the Farmers' parade I just have to sit in the car and wave to people, no dancing. We used to go to the parade when we were children and I was so small and couldn't see anything. This year I'll see everything!
Temepara's picks
* Totara Park
90 Wairere Rd, Manurewa (The main entrance to the park is the end of Wairere Rd). With 216ha of bush, rolling farm land and walks (including a 3km farm track) Totara Park adjoins the Auckland Botanic Gardens. Picnic area, adventure playground swimming pool, a free tennis court, mountain biking and horse bridle trail.
* Manukau Sports Bowl
1-6R Boundary Rd (main entrance off Te Irirangi Drive - Great South Rd end). Velodrome, soccer fields, tennis courts, greyhound track, basketball court, and playground.
* The Terrace Cafe
615 Great South Rd, Manukau, ph (09) 262 3131The cream scones alone make this place worth a visit.
* Rainbow's End
Great South Rd/Wiri Station Rd, Manukau City, ph 0800 438 672 rainbowsend.co.nz Still has the only permanent rollercoaster in the country.
