"Music really is my life's pleasure. Rotorua has a very good music record. I've been involved with the Rotorua Competition Society more or less since it started, now the New Zealand Arias are the biggest singing competition in the country.''
She was also an associate of the Institute of Registered Music Teachers and was head teacher of the Rotorua Yamaha Music School.
To this day, Mrs Christophers is still greeted on the streets as "Miss Daphne'', the name she was given by previous students. She said when they introduce their families and partners to her, it really brings home just how long she has been in the business.
Although Mrs Christophers had a number of ideas as to who could have nominated her, she could not say for sure. She said nominating someone for a New Year Honour was a "wonderful way'' for people to say thank you.