What was your greatest holiday?
I'm not sure there is just one. There have been moments of such wonder they'll stay with me forever. My most recent was travelling home from Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu. I hitched a lift with the Air Force, who were returning to collect more supplies. Rumbling home in the cockpit of a Hercules is pretty special. And we arrived in Auckland at twilight, sweeping in, slow and low, over the city and the harbour. It was glorious.
And the worst?
There hasn't been one. I've had the odd disaster, but even disasters (unless they're truly terrible) eventually become a valued part of the story. I've twice thought I was about to die. Both times, unless I'm very much mistaken, I was wrong.
If we bump into you on holiday, what are you most likely to be doing?
Looking overdressed.
If we could teleport you to one place in New Zealand for a week-long holiday, where would it be?
The Hokianga, the East Cape, Central Otago, the Southern Wairarapa. The first two for their sense of unharried community. I feel relaxed there, and I'm not great at relaxing. The second two for their infinite emptiness and silence. One of those four places, I think.
How about for a dream holiday internationally?
New York to buy books and see bands.
