10 November 2025
From finding happiness to most treasured possession, we catch up with Sally for some quickfire questions.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Inner peace and a sense of oneness with the world. I have experienced it rarely – most recently, and fleetingly, in the Sahara Desert in Morocco.
What is your greatest fear? On the surface - a toss-up between snakes and heights; deep-down – the fear of losing another child.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Deplore is a big word, but I have a tendency to expect to achieve too much in a day … work, housework, exercise, projects.
What is the trait you most deplore in others? Narcissism and a lack of empathy to others.
Which living person do you most admire?
My mother – she's incredible. In her 80s she still travels, tackles new subjects and challenges her brain, and writes award-winning short stories.
What is your greatest extravagance? Buying too many running shoes although right now I’m waiting on knee surgery, so they just sit there looking at me.
What is your current state of mind? Forward-looking – upcoming time with family over summer and excited about the 2026 Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts programme
On what occasion do you lie? When myself or another person is in danger, or to avoid hurting someone’s feelings.
What do you dislike most about your appearance? I’m a middle-aged woman ... in my head I think I’m 27! I’m in denial about the outward signs of aging and frustrated at the aches and pains which have developed.
What is the quality you most admire in a person? Perseverance.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse? ‘Oh my God’ and ‘cool’
What or who is the greatest love of your life? My husband, my four children and my grandchildren.
When or where were you happiest? Being in nature is my happy place – whether on a snowy mountain (especially with skis on my feet), at a beautiful beach, in the bush or scuba diving.
Which talent would you most like to have? To be able to sing – I love to sing, but others likely don’t love hearing it. Irony is that in my teenage years I was in choir.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I’d love to be a naturally early riser – I’m more of a night owl.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? My connection with our children and grandchildren. I’m known as the ‘cool Nana’ and our daughter Rebecca gave me a tote bag which has a definition of ‘Nana Sally’ printed on it: ‘Like your nana only cooler’.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be? A cat – I'd happily stretch out and lay in the sun and chase butterflies.
Where would you most like to live? I love Wellington but hanker after a small cottage at Oakura in Taranaki with a bit of land for a few animals and close to beach and family.
What is your most treasured possession? Aside from some sentimental jewellery I wear almost every day, I have a hand-painted postcard which was sent by my grandfather to my grandmother in about 1936. I have never unframed it to see what is written on the postcard as I am worried about damaging the back which has my grandmother’s handwriting on it (see photo). It is hung on the wall in our bedroom, so I see it every day and remember their deep love and what they endured during wartime.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? The death of my wonderful son Connor in 2024 aged 27 years. I miss him every single day. My grief is as deep as my love for him and my experience reminds me that you never know what others are going through.
What is your favourite occupation? I love what I do – I'm passionate about the arts and events. I would have loved to have been on the stage (In my younger years I danced, played various musical instruments and acted) but enjoy being part of bringing the magic to audiences.
What is your most marked characteristic? I’m short.
What do you most value in your friends? Time.
Who are your favourite writers? Arundhati Roy, Vikram Seth, Haruki Murakami, Louis de Bernieres and Isabel Allende. I recently read an out-of-print book by Diane Cilento which I loved and I’m seeking out more of her books.
Who is your hero of fiction? I’m not sure I have one (I write this while sitting next to my bookcase and scanning the titles). I do read an eclectic mix of books and usually my hero is whoever I am reading at the time. I did hugely admire Lisbeth Salander in Stieg Larsson books – she was badass and a true survivor.
Which historical figure do you most identify with? I’ve given this one a lot of thought and also not sure there is one historical figure I truly identify with. I always admired those who overcome adversity and those who steadfastly support others.
Who are your heroes in real life? Other bereaved mothers, our children – Rebecca, Matthew and Maya who continue to carve their paths.
What are your favourite names? My great-grandmother's name – Lydia Gwendoline. Our daughter Maya has her name Lydia as a middle name.
What is it that you most dislike? Broad beans, parsnips and cooked celery.
What is your greatest regret? That I didn’t travel more when I lived in the UK and say yes to more experiences – I had the chance to join friends who went and lived on a kibbutz, and I wish I had gone.
How would you like to die? Instantly – I would hate to put my loved ones through the pain of watching me decline.
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