Meet our version of Imelda Marcos

THE RIGHT FIT: Martinborough librarian Shirley Nightingale shows off a small portion of her shoe collection as an art exhibit during Martinborough's Arts and Craft market over Labour Weekend.PHOTO/ANDREW BONALLACK

The TV crew's brief was to find New Zealand versions of infamous shoe-lover Imelda Marcos.

They found one in Martinborough librarian Shirley Nightingale.

Mrs Nightingale recently appeared on current affairs programme Seven Sharp, which was looking for extreme shoe lovers and collectors in New Zealand.

If the shoes fits; Mrs Nightingale began shoe-buying three years ago, loving "anything exciting and interesting".

"[Seven Sharp] put something out on Facebook asking for the Imelda Marcos's of New Zealand. Some of my customers put my name forward."

She said she has no idea why she started collecting shoes.

"I like shoes - wild, exciting shoes. People come to the library to see my shoes."

She says she likes a nice heel, and colours. "I like spikes, but I don't need a whip."

She buys domestically or online, but likes a bargain.

Asked how many she does own, she said she is allowed 70 pairs of shoes within the house, but hinted at a greater collection in the family's barn.